Sio Shalako

The Hopi are a Native American nation that resides in the northeastern region of Arizona. “Surrounded by the Navajo nation, Hopi’s have inhabited the same villages for a millennium and are considered to be the oldest dwellers in the land on which their reservation resides” (The Hopi Indians). These Indians refer to themselves as Hopitu, which translates to “The Peaceful People”. The ideas behind Hopi are carried out through the actions that are executed when following the objectives of Kyavtsi; “maintaining the highest degree of respect for and obedience to moral standards & ethics, so as not to knowingly abuse, alter or oppose the progressive order and cycle of nature and the sacred manifestations of the creator’s teachings” (Traditional Values and
Sio Shalako was not a traditional Kachina due to the fact that is was not carved from a single block a wood. This specific Kachina was crafted with 8 separate pieces that were attached using pegs, which essentially created the same effect as historic carving methods. Decorated in natural painted colors, feathers, horsehair, leather thongs, and string thread, Sio Shalako is dressed in a poncho like outfit with a feather headdress and fringed necklace. He is a tall, shoulderless male with horns and very prominent eyes, short, stumpy legs that create the allusion of movement as if he is doing a rain dance. The Sio Shalako Kachina doll is a very important figure in the Hopi community. These Native Americans live in an extreme environment that lacks water during certain parts of the year. Because water is essential in bringing nutrients to agriculture, harvesting crops becomes difficult along with general daily life. The Hopi people support the ideas of Kachinas so heavily because relying on supernatural forces to intercede with the gods on their behalf is the only way they believe can bring aide to their