Editing Kachina (section)

=== Clowns ===
[[File:Koshari (clown) kachina, Arizona, Hopi people, Honolulu Museum of Art.JPG|thumb|Koshari clown, [[Honolulu Museum of Art]] |upright]]

[[Clown]] personages play dual roles. Their prominent role is to amuse the audience during the extended periods of the outdoor celebrations and Kachina Dances where they perform as jesters or circus clowns. Barry Pritzker stated, regarding the role of clowns in Hopi dances,

{{Blockquote|text=The clowns play an important role-embodying wrong social behavior, they are soon put in their place by the katsinam for all to see. The presence of clowns in the morality play makes people more receptive to the messages of proper social convention and encourages a crucial human trait: a keen sense of humor.<ref name="bp" />{{rp|29}}}}

The clown's more subtle and sacred role is in the Hopis' ritual performances. The sacred functions of the clowns are relatively private, if not held secret by the Hopi, and as a result have received less public exposure.  When observing the preparations taking place in a [[Kiva]] of a number of ''Pai'yakyamu'' clowns getting ready for their ceremonial performance, Alexander Stephen was told, "We ''Koyala'' [Koshari] are the fathers of all Kachina."<ref>Stephen, Alexander. ''Hopi Journal of Alexander M. Stephen''.  Edited by E. C. Parsons. Columbia University Contributions to Anthropology, 23, 2 volumes; 1936. P411-12.</ref>

The Hopi have four groups of clowns, some of which are sacred.  Adding to the difficulty in identifying and classifying these groups, there are a number of kachinas whose actions are identified as clown antics. Barton Wright's ''Clowns of the Hopi'' identifies, classifies, and illustrates the extensive array of clown personages.<ref>Wright, Barton. ''Clowns of the Hopi''.  Northland Publishing; {{ISBN|0-87358-572-0}}. 1994.</ref>