The Hopi Indians represent their gods in several ways one of which is by personification - by wearing masks or garments bearing symbols that are regarded as being characteristic of those beings. The symbols depicted on these masks and garments vary considerably, but are readily recognized and identified by the Indians. At each festival in which these supernatural beings are personated the symbols are repainted and continued practice has led to a high development of this kind of artistic work, many of the Indians having become expert in painting the symbols characteristic of the gods. Dr. Fewkes found several Hopi men competent to paint a collection of pictures of the kind desired and finally chose for that work Kutcakonauu (White Bear), age 30. These representations are used to illustrate an article by Dr. Fewkes devoted to Hopi Katcinas published in 1903.
When a Hopi draws a picture or cuts an image or a god, either a doll or an idol, he gives the greatest care to the representation of the head. The symbols on the head are characteristic and its size is generally out of proportion to the rest of the body. When these same gods are personated by men the symbols are ordinarily painted on masks or helmets. Some of White Bear's representations are shown here which serve in part to illustrate the songs.
The Katcinas are the divinized ancestors of the Hopi clans impersonated by masked dancers and are supposed to come to the pueblo in February each year, under the leadership of the Sun. They are expected to remain in the neighborhood of the pueblos after having a dance, to perform other functions during the summer months and to depart in July - that is, go home to the underworld where they ordinarily reside. It is supposed that during the summer they are in the fields where by magic they aid the growth of the corn and facilitate the harvest.
As the Hopi are agriculturalists and need the supernatural power to aid them in the production of their food, they believe that the Katcinas by their songs and prayers aid them. Each Katcina group has a song characteristic of it for that purpose.
The following songs illustrate the general character of the kind of songs which are characteristic of different Kitcinas. As the great necessity of the Hopi ceremonial is aid in the production of the rain to water the arid farms, the Katcinas are called Rain Gods and their songs the Rain and Growth songs. Although certian songs characterize the Katcinas, the paraphernalia they wear is approximately the same. All Katcina performers are masked men and the priests deliver to them the prayers of the people. The Katcinas sing these prayers in the progress of the dance.