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.