Hopi Indian Reservation
The Hopi (the Indian term is Moki, the "peaceable people"), numbering only about 7,000, belong to the group of sedentary Pueblo Indians (Shoshones) and are totally different from the Navajo, within whose territory their small reservation lies. As village dwelling, tillers of the soil and cattle rearers the Hopi inevitably came into conflict with the Navajo, ever looking for new pastures for their herds.
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Living in seclusion for more than a thousand years in pueblos on three large tabular hills (the First Mesa, Second and Third Mesas) the Hopi Indians have a common tribal council, but the individual villages are largely self-governing under a hereditary or elected chief. The Hopi are very reserved in their dealings with outsiders and try to keep "palefaces" away from their traditional religious ceremonies (the fire dance, the eagle dance, the masked dances of the kachina spirits). Before visiting a village the permission of the chief must be obtained, and this is not readily granted; and taking photographs and making sketches are frowned upon.
Art
The Hopi practice various crafts (basketwork, jewelry, pottery), but their specialty is carving figures of kachinas - spirits representing various life forces which form a link between men and their Creator - usually from the roots of poplar trees. The sand painting which is still practiced - a ritual in which the medicine man scatters colored sand in magical symbols, which are wiped away after the ceremony - also has an artistic aspect. In the Hopi Cultural Center on the Second Mesa (on U.S. 264) are an interesting museum and shops selling Indian crafts, as well as a motel.
Conduct of visitors
It is forbidden to take photographs of people or buildings without permission, and cine cameras, video recorders and tape recorders must not be used at religious ceremonies. On all Indian reserves there is an absolute ban on alcohol which is enforced by the tribal police. The reason for the ban is that the Indians lack a particular enzyme which breaks down alcohol and facilitates its absorption in the body, and in consequence alcohol has a much more powerful effect on them. Visitors must of course themselves observe the ban.
Art
The Hopi practice various crafts (basketwork, jewelry, pottery), but their specialty is carving figures of kachinas - spirits representing various life forces which form a link between men and their Creator - usually from the roots of poplar trees. The sand painting which is still practiced - a ritual in which the medicine man scatters colored sand in magical symbols, which are wiped away after the ceremony - also has an artistic aspect. In the Hopi Cultural Center on the Second Mesa (on U.S. 264) are an interesting museum and shops selling Indian crafts, as well as a motel.
Conduct of visitors
It is forbidden to take photographs of people or buildings without permission, and cine cameras, video recorders and tape recorders must not be used at religious ceremonies. On all Indian reserves there is an absolute ban on alcohol which is enforced by the tribal police. The reason for the ban is that the Indians lack a particular enzyme which breaks down alcohol and facilitates its absorption in the body, and in consequence alcohol has a much more powerful effect on them. Visitors must of course themselves observe the ban.
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