Hopi
Language and Communication
By: Lauren B.
Kivas are underground chambers. For hundreds of years the Hopi have used
them. A thousand year old ancient kiva has been found. Adorning the
walls of kivas are outrageous paintings of spirits and sacred animals.
Spectators have a special bench at the south end of the kiva.
Hopis have written very interesting legends. One of the stories are People of the Fourth World. I will tell you about it. Far underground the first people were created. They mounted along with spider, coyote, locust and other creatures to the earth's land The Hopis still believe that a special hole in the ground called a sipapu also they think that that is where the human race was born. For the Hopi think it is the holiest spot on the planet.
Naming the Baby-The Hopi Indians' have a different way of
naming their babies. Instead of naming the baby when it is born like we
do, they just give the baby a perfect ear of corn and a blanket. Then,
when the baby is 20 days old, they date it to a cliff to face the rising
sun. The baby is given its names when the first ray of sun hits the baby's
forehead. More time and thought is taken to name the Hopi Indian.
A Hopi mother holding her baby up to the sun because when the first ray strikes it's forehead it is given it's name.
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