Transcript
Hopi Creation StoryBy Shannon, Jacob, and Andrea
Statement
The Hopi creation myth tells how humans are born from the Earth through love from the Gods, and are instructed to respect and love the Earth as their mother.
Hopi History/Culture
Sub tribe of Pueblo in Arizona
‘Hopi’ means ‘peaceful ones’ or ‘hopeful’
Farming and agriculture a cornerstone of Hopi life
Holds monogamy and matrilineal descent in great importance
Hopi believe in marrying outside of their tribes
Hopi are well known for their pottery
Hopi Butterfly Dance
In The Beginning
In the beginning there was Tawa and Spider Woman (Kokyanwhuti)
Tawa is the Sun God and ruled the Above
Spider Woman is the Earth Goddess and ruled the Below
Created Endless Waters between Above and Below
The Below is the home of the Gods
Spider Woman (Kokyanwhuti)
Tawa
Lesser Gods
Divided themselves to make the lesser Gods
Muiyinwuh, God of All Life Germs, divided from Tawa
Huzuiwuhti, Woman of the Hard Substances (wealth), divided from Spider Woman
Huzuiwuhti became the bride of Tawa (First Lovers)
Created the Magic Twins – Puukonhoya, the Youth, and Palunhoya, the Echo
Lesser Gods
Masauwhu, the Death God, did not come from Tawa or Spider Woman
Came from bad magic
Appeared after creation of the creatures
Personification of sin
Creation of Mankind
All living creatures were a Thought of Tawa
Spider Woman formed figures from clay
At first they did not breathe or move
Each thing that has a form must also have a spirit
Laid a white blanket over figures and made an incantation to bring them to life
Creation of Mankind
Tawa Thought of creatures to mirror themselves
Spider Woman formed the figures of Man and Woman in their own image
Spider Woman cradled them in her arms and Tawalooked upon them with his glowing eyes
Sang the Song of Life over them, and the beings breathed and lived
Declared that these beings would multiply
Creation of Earth
Tawa journeyed across the Above each day and returned to Huzuruiwuhti at night
Tawa created Dry Land from his blazing shield
Spider Woman led all the creatures to the land through the Pisisbaiya (Colorado River)
Declared that the river would be a source of salt and life
Spider Woman separated them into groups
Creation of Tribes
Spider Woman sent creatures to lead each clan to where they would build their house
Tribes were named after the creatures
Puma, Snake, Antelope, Deer, and other Horn creatures
Spider Woman proclaimed that women would be homemakers and head of the household
Men would hunt, build kivas (homes), and construct altars (ponya)
Myth Conclusion
Tawa told mankind that he would leave them alone
Tawa and Spider Woman watch over the Earth, and will come if called upon
Spider Woman disappeared into the sand and returned to the Below
Tawa continues to journey across the sky each day
Mythic Truths
When the Gods create, it is done through song and dance.
Each thing that has a form must also have a spirit.
The Earth must be respected and nurtured
Monogamy is to be valued and cherished
Closing Statement
The Hopi value life, the Earth, and believe there is a spirit in everything.
Bibliography
“Hopi Indians.” Lean about the History of the Hopi. Np., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2015.
"Hopi Indians Facts." HOPI INDIAN FACTS. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2015.
"Kachinas." Kachinas. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2015.
"Hopi Prophecies - Prophecy Rock - Crystalinks." Hopi Prophecies -Prophecy Rock - Crystalinks. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2015.
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