Vtg Rare 15" Hopi Kachina “black Bear”‎ By Cindy Kachada Detachable Head Mask

Vtg Rare 16" Hopi Kachina "black bear" by Cindy Kachada Detachable Head Mask The most beautifully crafted piece of art and the largest in my collection of Kachina dolls. Made by Cindy Kachada this doll is very unique and hides a very special feature. The top head mask comes off to reveal the face of the kachina doll underneath. The hand painted face is framed with fur and beard. The feathers on his headdress are absolutely gorgeous. Very majestic and in excellent pre-owned condition. I believe this piece was made around 80s-90s With full costume he is around 15" tall and without his mask he is 14". Signature and US patent copyright stamp on the bottom. The hummingbird was, and is, an important bird in pueblo cultures. Hopi legend speaks of the hummingbird as intervening on behalf of the Hopi people to convince the gods to bring rain. Even today hummingbird feathers are highly prized and used ceremonially and in dance costumes. All hummingbird Kachinas are depicted with a green mask. Hú dolls are carved from the root of the cottonwood tree. During traditional ceremonies, the Hú dancer bobs while dancing and calls like a bird. His songs are prayers for rain to wet freshly planted crops in the spring, and women reward him with baskets of flowers; then they scatter to find him more flowers so the rain won't be scared away like a hummingbird might be scared away by a crowd.