CKLA- Grade 3 Unit 8 Chapter 4

They are the ancestors of long ago.

The kachinas are the spirits of people who lived on Earth long ago.

They are another group of Native Americans.

Today is the day that they get to see their ancestors from long ago.

Today is the day that they get to go on a great hunt and gather enough meat for the winter.

Today is a day when the kachinas take the people on a journey into the spirit world through the Bean Dance Ceremony.

They govern the moon.

They govern the crops.

They govern their health.

They tell them which crops to grow.

Boys and men wear special kachina clothing and face masks. They shake rattles and the sound created is like that of rain falling. Often within hours, rain falls.

They go around and ask everyone to give them something that is important to them.

They harvest their crops and then have a big feast to celebrate.

Alo will get dressed as a lion to show strength.

Alo will get get dressed as a goat to make his sick mother well again.

Alo will be dressed as the Bear Kachina to make his sick father well again.