Kachinas are often seen during celebration and ceremonial dances of the Pueblo tribes. During the ceremonial dances, a specific Kachina, or group of Kachinas, will be seen participating. Social dances are a bit more open and the same Kachinas are not always participating.
The Kachina featured here is called Poli Sio Hemis or Butterfly Kachina. He is considered a social Kachina, which means he participates in social dances instead of specific ceremonial dances. Poli Sio Hemis is a culmination of several different Kachinas from different pueblos. The Poli comes from the Poli Kachina of the Hopi third mesa, while the Sio originated from the Zuni and Hemis from Jemez and Santo Domingo.
