Do you know what a kachina is? I didn't. I had to look it up. This beautiful black pony is named Kachina to honor them. Both the Hopi and Pueblo Indians incorporated kachinas in their culture. Kachinas represent historical events and are used to educate children in the ways of life. Kachinas are stylized icons, meticulously carved from cottonwood roots and painted to represent figures from Hopi mythology. They often wear masks of animals, plants, stars, warriors and clowns. They are the focus of ceremonies and rituals in which they relay the wishes of the Hopi people to the gods – for more rain, a plentiful harvest, good health.
The artist, Maria Ryan, lives in Idaho and has established a national reputation for her brilliant interpretations of wildlife and Native American imagery. In an effort to create a Trail of Painted Pony with mystical powers of its own, Maria adorned her Pony with the designs and symbols of traditional kachina masks, including, on the left side, the "Sun Kachina" mask, and on the right, the “Messenger of the Gods†mask. Maria is also the artist of the pony, Boot Camp. Made of resin. Dimensions: 7"L x 6"H x 2"W
