Hopi
From Wikinfo
The Hopi are a Native American tribe who mainly live on the 1.5 million acre Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The reservation is surrounded by the Navaho reservation.
A few Hopi live on the Colorado River Reservation, on the Colorado River in western Arizona, for information, see Mohave.
The traditional Hopi are organized into clans. When a man marries he becomes a member of his wife's clan. The Bear Clan is the most prominent clan. Tom Banyanca, now deceased, a member of the Bear Clan, was designated to transmit the Hopi Prophecy to the outside world.
The Hopi, more than most Native American peoples, have retained and continue to practice their traditional ceremonial culture. However they are severely impacted by the ambient American culture like other tribes. Traditionally the Hopi were highly skilled subsistance farmers. With the installation of electricity and the necessity of having a motor vehicle and the other things which can be purchased, the Hopi have been moving into a cash economy with many people seeking and holding outside jobs as well as earning money from traditional crafts.
The Hopi have been impacted by very active missionary work by a number of religions and also by consumerism and alcoholism. Nevertheless there is a traditionalist core which adheres to traditional ways. The Hopi traditionalists led by tribal elders from high status clans are a rather small group, perhaps 300 out of the 10,000 Hopi are critical of the Progressives, typified by members of the Tribal Council. Outside sympathizers generally are more attracted to the Traditionalists' story and ally themselves with them.
It has been reported (in the New York Times) that the young people of Hopi are mad about Reggae and that concerts are frequently held there [1].
See also: Hopi mythology, Koyaanisqatsi
External Links
Further Reading
- Susanne and Jake Page, Hopi, Abradale Press, Harry N. Abrams, 1994, illustrated oversize hardcover, 230 pages, ISBN 0-8109-8127-0, 1982 edition, ISBN 0810910829
- New York Times article, "Reggae Rhythms Speak to an Insular Tribe" by Bruce Weber, September 19, 1999
- The Hopi Way, An Odyssey, Robert Boissiere, Sunstone Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1985, trade paperback, 90 pages, ISBN 0-86534-055-2 A journal of contemporary Hopi family and ceremonial life.
References
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Hopi" http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopi October 6, 2003
