Hopi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
 This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. WikiProject Indigenous peoples of North America or the Indigenous peoples of North America Portal may be able to help recruit one. (August 2008)
Hopi

Hopi portraits
Total population
6,946
Regions with significant populations
North America, United States, Arizona
Languages

Hopi, English
Religion

Traditional beliefs with a small minority of Christian Hopi (numbering under 300 according to a survey carried out in the 1990's) of various denominations

The Hopi are American Indians people who primarily live on the 12,635 km² (2,531.773 sq mi) Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The Hopi Reservation is entirely surrounded by the much larger Navajo Reservation. The two nations used to share the Navajo-Hopi Joint Use Area. The partition of this area, commonly known as Big Mountain, by Acts of Congress in 1974 and 1996, has resulted in seemingly endless controversy.[1][2][3]

The Hopi area according to the 2000 census has a population of 6,946 people.

Contents

[edit] History

According to Hopi oral tradition, the Hopi are a gathering of diverse groups representing clans from different areas, now identifying culturally as one group of people with a single language.[4] Athabascan migrations from Canada (forming the modern Navajo Nation) and Apache nations ending as late as the 15th century may have caused the Hopi move from original village locations at the bottoms of mesas to the tops where these villages could be defended. Popularly these are known as First, Second and Third Mesas because of their order of Spanish encounter. In contrast, the formerly nomadic Navajo typically live in small family groups now widely distributed across northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico. The Hopi have been village dwellers for many centuries (nine villages existed at the arrival of the Spanish —Sikyatki, Koechaptevela, Kisakovi, Sichomovi, Mishongnovi, Shipaulovi, Shungopavi, Oraibi and Awatovi). The Hopi village of Old Oraibi, located on Third Mesa and founded about the year 1100, is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States. [5]

[edit] Culture
Eagle Song of the Hopi Indians
Phonograph cylinder recording of song by Hopi Indians, 1906.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

The name Hopi is a shortened form of what these Native American people call themselves, Hopituh Shi-nu-mu, "The Peaceful People" or "Peaceful Little Ones" [6]. The Catholic Encyclopedia lists the name Hopi as having been derived from "Hopita", meaning those who are "peaceful ones". Hopi is a concept deeply rooted in the culture's religion, spirituality, and its view of morality and ethics. The Hopi religion is anti-war. To be Hopi is to strive toward this concept, which involves a state of total reverence and respect for all things, to be at peace with these things, and to live in accordance with the instructions of Maasaw, the Creator or Caretaker of Earth. The Hopi observe their traditional ceremonies for the benefit of the entire world.

Traditionally, Hopi are organized into matrilineal clans. When a man marries, the children from the relationship are members of his wife's clan. These clan organizations extend across all villages. Children are named, however, by the women of the father's clan. On the twentieth day of a baby's life, the women of the paternal clan gather, each woman bringing a name and a gift for the child. In some cases where many relatives would attend, a child could be given over forty names, for example. The child's parents generally decide the name to be used from these names. Current practice is to either use a non-Hopi or English name or the parent's chosen Hopi name. A person may also change their name upon initiation into one of the religious societies such as the Kachina society.

The Hopi still practice a complete cycle of traditional ceremonies although not all villages retain or ever had the complete ceremonial cycle. These ceremonies take place according to the lunar calendar and are observed in each of the Hopi villages . Nonetheless, like other Native American groups, the Hopi have been impacted by Christianity. The Hopi have been affected by the missionary work carried out by several Christian denominations, however, with relatively little impact on Hopi religious practices.

Traditionally the Hopi are highly skilled micro or subsistence farmers. The Hopi also interact in the wider cash economy; a significant number of Hopi have mainstream jobs; others earn a living by creating high quality Hopi art, notably the carving of Kachina dolls|, the expert crafting of earthenware ceramics ,and the design and production of fine jewelry, especially sterling silver.

[edit] The Hopi people

When a child is born, they receive a perfect ear of corn. On the 20th day, the child is taken to the mesa cliff and held facing the rising sun. When the sun touches the baby, it is given a name.

Kachinas or Kat'sinas or Qat'sinas are referenced extensively in the Hopi. Kat'sina literally means "life bringer" in Hopi. A Kat'sina can be anything from an element, to a quality, to a natural phenomenon, to a concept. There are over 300 to 400 different Kat'sinas. Traditionally, Kat'sina dolls, which are made by the maternal uncles, are given to young uninitiated girls at the spring Bean Ceremony and Home Dance.

[edit] Famous Hopi

  • Thomas Banyacya, (born c.1909 - 1999) Hopi Traditionalist and spokesman/translator for traditional religious and spritual leaders. Appointed 1948. Born in Munkapi or Lower Moencopi Village, lived in Kykotsmovi Village.
  • Frank Dukepoo (1943-1999), PhD, geneticist
  • Dan Evehema, Hopi Traditionalist
  • Jean Fredericks (b. 1906), Hopi photographer and former Tribal Council chairman
  • Diane Humetewa, United States Attorney for the District of Arizona
  • Fred Kabotie (c.1900 - 1986), painter and silversmith
  • Charles Loloma (1912-1991), artist. Best known for his jewelry
  • Linda Lomahaftewa, printmaker, painter, and educator
  • David Monongye, Hopi Traditionalist
  • Iris Nampeyo (ca. 1860–1942), fine arts potter
  • Tyra Naha, fine arts potter
  • Elva Nampeyo, fine arts potter
  • Fannie Nampeyo, fine art potter
  • Lori Piestewa (1979-2003), US Army Quartermaster Corps soldier killed in Iraq War
  • Don C. Talayesva (b. 1890-?), authobiographer and traditionalist
  • Tuvi aka Chief Tuba (c. 1810 – 1887), first Hopi convert to Mormonism after whom Tuba City, Arizona was named by Mormons who settled there
  • Yukiuma, foremost and first modern Hopi Traditionalist. Famous for standing up to the newly arrived agents of the US government who came to take Hopi children away from their families and place them in boarding schools. Was imprisoned, along with others, at Alcatraz. Fire clan kikmongwi from the Third Mesa village of Hotevela or Hotevilla. Has been likened to a Hopi Ghandi·[7]

[edit] Historic photographs of Hopi

HopiWomen'sDance.1879.ws.jpg

Hopi Womens Dance, 1879, Oraibi, Arizona

Dancer's Rock, 1879, Walpi, Arizona

Traditional Hopi Village of Walpi, 1941.

Traditional Hopi Homes.

Kopeli, Hopi Snake Priest.

Hopi Basket Weaver c. 1910

Hopi Basket Weaver.

Hopi girl.

Photograph by Henry Peabody, Iris Nampeyo, world famous Hopi ceramist, with her work, circa 1900

Hopi girl at Walpi. 1900, with "squash blossom" hairdo indicative of her eligibility for courtship

Four young Hopi Indian women grinding grain, circa 1900

[edit] See also

Nampeyo Ceramic jar, circa 1880

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ aisc.org
  2. ^ kstrom.net
  3. ^ nau.edu
  4. ^ Gregory Schaaf Ancient Ancestors of the Southwest ( pub 1996 ISBN 1-55868-255-4)
  5. ^ "Oraibi". Britannica Concise Online. http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9057251. 
  6. ^ Hopi
  7. ^ Clemmer, Richard O. "Roads in the Sky: The Hopi Indians In A Century of Change". Boulder: Westview Books, 1995.

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

  • Schaaf, Gregory "Ancient Ancestors of the Southwest" ( pub 1996 ISBN 1-55868-255-4)
  • Clemmer, Richard O. "Roads in the Sky: The Hopi Indians In A Century of Change". Boulder: Westview Books, 1995.
  • "Voice of Indigenous People - Native People Address the United Nations" Edited by Alexander Ewen, Clear Light Publishers, Santa Fe NM, 1994, 176 pages. Thomas Banyacya et al at the United Nations
  • Susanne and Jake Page, Hopi, Abradale Press, Harry N. Abrams, 1994, illustrated oversize hardcover, 230 pages, ISBN 0-8109-8127-0, 1982 edition, ISBN 0-8109-1082-9
  • Alph Secakuku, "Hopi Kachina Tradition: Following the Sun and Moon" 1995
  • Alfonso Ortiz, ed. Handbook of North American Indians, vol. 9, Southwest. Washington: Smithsonian Institition, 1979
    • J. O. Brew, "Hopi Prehistory and History to 1850", pp. 514-523 in Ortiz, Handbook
    • F. J. Dockstader, "Hopi History, 1850-1940", pp. 524-532 in Ortiz, Handbook
    • R. O. Clemmer, "Hopi History, 1940-1970", pp. 533-538 in Ortiz, Handbook
    • J. C. Connelly, "Hopi Social Organization", pp. 539-553 in Ortiz, Handbook
    • E. A. Kennard, "Hopi Economy and Subsistence", pp. 554-563 in Ortiz, Handbook
    • A. Frigout, "Hopi Ceremonial Organization", pp. 564-576 in Ortiz, Handbook
    • L. A. Hieb, "Hopi World View", pp. 577-580 in Ortiz, Handbook
    • M. B. Stanislawski, "Hopi-Tewa", pp. 587-602 in Ortiz, Handbook
  • New York Times article, "Reggae Rhythms Speak to an Insular Tribe" by Bruce Weber, September 19, 1999
  • Frank Waters, The Book of the Hopi, Penguin (Non-Classics), (June 30, 1977), ISBN 0-140045279
  • Frank Waters, Masked Gods:Navaho & Pueblo Ceremonialism, Swallow Press, 1950; Ohio University Press, 1984, ISBN 0-804006415
  • Hopi Nation: Essays on Indigenous Art, Culture, History, and Law, edited by Edna Glenn, John R. Wunder, Willard Hughes Rollings, and C. L. Martin, Ebook, 2008; online at http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/hopination/

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hopi
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopi"
Personal tools