< There are hundreds of Native American Tribes in the United States.

< One of these tribes is called the “Hopi”.

o The name Hopi means peaceful people.

o The religion of the Hopi is very complex.

o Kivas are the temples of the Hopi.

o Each member of the Hopi tribe is a member of a Kachina society.

o Although the Hopi do not have a specific creation story, they do believe that the point of

creation, the sipapu, is located in the Grand Canyon.

o The framework of the Hopi religion is based on three levels of supernatural beings.

. At the top are the Gods and Goddesses, each of whom have a specific arena. This is

very similar to Greek mythology.

. In the middle are the Kachinas. Kachinas are spirits of different animals and beings.

They are the primary source of rain and therefore the rain dances are all in honor of

the Kachinas.

. At the lowest level are the general spirits of worldly creatures and objects. These spirits

are easily offended. Hunting dances and prayers are often meant to appease a spirit

whom they have offended.

o The Hopi Calendar

. All of the dances and ceremonies that the Hopi hold are centered on prayers for rain.

. The Hopi religious calendar begins in November with Wuwtsim, or the emergence

ceremony.

. At the winter solstice, the village participates in Soyal, or the planning of the next

year’s religious events.

. Powamuya is celebrated in February. It is a planting festival to prepare for the year’s

growing season.

. In July, the Hopi hold their Home dance. The dance is a celebration of the Kachina’s

return to the mountains. This is a huge celebration and all of the Hopi gather in one village to celebrate it. Members of the Kachina societies dress in costumes and put on

dances for the community. Corn is given to all of the people in honor of the harvest.

. In August, the Snake-Antelope and Flute Dances happen, symbolizing war and life

after death.

. In September and October, the women’s societies hold their dances. o However, the similarities between Hopi religion and Judaism are vast and plentiful. Many of

these similarities stem from the family structure in either tradition. As in Judaism, the family

is the most important part of the Hopi culture. Religious values are instilled in the Hopi

children at a very young age.