An outline of the ceremonials attending the departure of the
Katcinas from three of the Tusayan villages has already been given
elsewhere.[86] From new observations it is found that much remains to
complete this account, but the main events have already been described.
While the dance resembles the abbreviated Katcinas, from which it
should not be widely separated, the altar and kiva ceremonials place
it in the group of elaborate Katcinas or those with complicated secret
usages. It is only in those villages in which are preserved the wími
of the Kachina móñwi that this celebration can occur, although, as
we shall later see, abbreviated Katcinas are not so limited. It will
probably be found that any abbreviated Katcina may be used for the
public dance of the Nimán, but no abbreviated Katcina can have the
secret ceremonials of the Nimán without becoming the same. When the
Katcina chief, Íntiwa, sets up his altar it is but natural that any
set of Katcinas may give the public dance, which, while a necessary
accompaniment, is far from being prescribed as to kind.
ABBREVIATED KATCINAS
CHARACTERISTICS
This group includes a large number of simple ceremonials in which
a masked dance in public is the most significant part. The general
character of these observances may be seen by a consultation of my
article, “A few summer ceremonials at the Tusayan pueblos.”[87]
The distinctive name is determined by the characters personified
as indicated by the symbolic markings of the masks or by other
paraphernalia. No elaborate kiva ceremonials are performed.[88]
All the abbreviated presentations have certain common features which
run through them. These characteristics may be learned from my
description in the article on “The summer ceremonials,”[89] but in
order to make them more prominent I have mentioned them in an appended
footnote.[87]
The special Katcina celebrated is designated by the symbolism depicted
on the mask, which is repainted and redecorated according to the
Katcina which it is intended to represent. For the special name and
the accompanying symbolism a study of the dolls will give as good an
idea as can yet be obtained from published articles.[90]
The participants in the abbreviated Katcinas may be divided into
two groups: (1) The Katcinas, male and female, with related masked
personages, and the priests who pray to them and sprinkle meal upon
them, and (2) the accompanying clowns and masked or other persons
who participate in their antics and presentation. The details of
the proceedings of the second or possibly subordinate group vary in
different dances more than those of the first.
The participants of the first group are:
1. Masked personages (always men) called Katcinas.
2. Masked men, personifying women, called Katcinamanas.
3. One or more masked persons, who vary in symbolic characters in
different Katcinas. These are often absent.
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