Hopi - A group of pueblo or village Indians who have remained in the same territory they occupied when first seen by Coronado's troops in 1540.  They spoke a Shoshonean dialect.

Many of their ancient pueblos found in the northeastern area of Arizona are in ruins.  In the Hopi village of Oraibi is a dwelling with timbers which are known to have been cut around 1370 A.D.

The Hopi depended on maize and other vegetables, and game for food.  They were potters and raised cotton.  When the Spaniards came the Hopi were reported to have been wearing cotton "towels."  They domesticated the turkey and hunted the rabbit with a type of boomerang.

In their villages are structures, known as kivas, built partly underground, and entered through the roof by ladders.  These kivas are used for ceremonial purposes.

Among the many dances of the Hopi is the Snake Dance, or Snake Ceremony, in which live snakes are carried about in the mouths of the dancers.  This dance is usually held every two years around August 20th, and is primarily a prayer ceremony for rain.  The Snake Dance, formerly alternated with the Flute Ceremonies, is now a tourist attraction.

Hopi men wore a breechcloth, hair band, and moccasins.  later they adopted the calico shirt.  The women dressed in a blue cotton blanket, tied with an embroidered belt, a calico shawl, moccasins, and leggings.  Some Hopi men dressed as women and did women's work.

Murder and theft were almost unknown among them and one of the worst crimes was telling a falsehood.  The Hopi are said to have made more progress towards civilization than any other tribe of the Shoshonean group.  They developed pottery making to an art.
 

 

Related Information within this Site
[ Baking Stones ][ Bat House ][ Coronado ][ Dance ]
[ Fire Making ][ Hair ][ Kachina ][ Masks ][ Pueblo Indians ]
[ Rabbit Stick ][ Sand Painting ][ Snake Dance ][ Trails ]