Kuvak-china, the Snow Kachina
The Hopi of northeastern Arizona have a rich and complex culture and religion. An important part of this culture is the Kachina cult. Kuvak-china, the kachina pictured on this tile, is the Snow Kachina. It is believed that he resides atop the San Francisco Peaks in northern Arizona and brings the winter snows, essential for crop growth, to the Hopi. Because of his connection to cold and snow, Kuvak-china has appeared on billboards and in print advertising everything from snow gear to ski resorts.