Hon Kachina

The Bear Kachina is of such great strength that it is felt he can cure the sick. He appears in the kachina return or Soyal of First Mesa as the watchman or side dancer for the Chakwaina. In this role he appears a little different that he does in this illustration. He may come singly or in a group during the Palolokong Dance, and he may appear in a number of colors such as Sakwa Honau (Blue Bear) or Kocha Honau (White Bear). Probably he is most familiar in the Mixed Kachina Dance, dancing outside the lines. His most distinctive features is the presence of a bear footprint on either cheek.