CultureAugust 23, 2026

kachinas

kuh-CHEE-nuhz

Definition

Spiritual beings or ancestral spirits in Pueblo religious belief, often represented by masked dancers and carved wooden dolls used to teach these beliefs.

Etymology

The word originates from the Hopi language 'katsina,' referring to the ancestral spirits. It entered English in the 19th century through ethnographic documentation of Puebloan cultures.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the traditional figures that an artist, Larsen Harris Jr., displayed to visitors at the Santa Fe Indian Market, highlighting the cultural significance of the event.

How one editor transformed NM arts coverage for decades

Read the full article ↗

Albuquerque Journal

Related words

accreditors

Organizations or agencies that formally recognize and certify educational programs or…

Culture

agitant

A person who acts to stir up public interest in or support for a political, social, or…

Culture

bergamot

A fragrant citrus fruit, typically used for its essential oil, which provides a bright,…

Culture

inclinators

A specialized type of elevator designed to travel along a diagonal or inclined track,…

Culture

indoctrinate

To teach someone to accept a set of beliefs uncritically or to the exclusion of other…

Culture

lacquered

Coated with lacquer, a protective, glossy, or decorative varnish that creates a smooth,…

Culture

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.