Hopi people and their Eagle Dance

Ashley WangOrigins & Ancestors:

Cross-culture PerspectivesCB378 Fall 2011

Dr. Carolyn M Bloomer

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Hopi People

* "Hopi" is short for "hopituh shi-nu-mu," which means "the peaceful people" or "Peaceful Little Ones" in their language.

* The Hopi primarily live on Hopi reservation in northeastern Arizona on three mesas about 70 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona. They are federally recognized tribe of indigenous Native American people.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

* Hopi people lived along the Mogollon Rim, especially from the AD1100s through the 1300s, when they abandoned their large villages.

It’s likely because of a drying of watercourses that have forced the peoples away. But, there is no researchers have been able to determine the reason.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

* Oraibi is one of four original Hopi villages, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages within the territory of the United States. In the 1540s, this village was recorded as having 15,00-3,000 residents.

* The Hopi have always viewed their land as sacred. Agriculture is a very important part of their culture, and their villages are spread out across the northern part of Arizona.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

* The Hopi people, best known for their Eagle Dance and "kachina" dolls.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Hopi’s Eagle Dance

* Dance in CultureThe eagle has a symbolic meaning for Hopi.They believe that the eagle has a spiritual connection to their prayers.

--They believe the eagle has the theoretical ability to move between heaven and earth. With supernatural powers, the eagle can control rain and thunder. So, the Eagle dance originated as a result of this figurative meaning.

--This dance can be performed at any time of year, the most common time for it is early spring. Because the eagle flies very high, it is believed to be able to send messages between heaven and earth.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

--They performed the Eagle dance when there was a need for divine intervention as when rain is needed.

--Some people believe the dance was originally part of a larger, ancient ceremony in the spring, when prayers were sent upward on behalf of the new crops.

--The feathers worn by the dancers believed to have special powers to healing ritual.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

* Performance of Eagle Dance

Eagle dance performance is a depiction of the eagle's life cycle from birth to death.They consist movements that emulate an eagle. It includes sequences of songs and dances.

-- The dance consists of the eagle's day to day movements-- Two central dancers perform an imitation of the eagle's movements. And a group of male dancers provide background singing and drum music.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

*Eagle Feathers

--Eagle feathers are sacred objects to the Hopi, and are treated with great reverence.

--The ceremonial ornaments decorated with eagle feathers are considered to have healing powers.

--They aren't allowed to touch the ground, and if one should be accidentally dropped it must be picked up by a tribal elder.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

--In the past, feathers were obtained by raising a young eagle to maturity, then ceremonially killing it for its feathers.

--Today, since bald eagles are a protected and endangered species, those who use the feathers must apply for a special permit. When a dead eagle is found, the National Fish and Wildlife Service give the feathers to those who need them.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Hopi Eagle Dance

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Resources:

http://home.earthlink.net/~tessia/Native.html

http://www.prairieisland.org/dance_styles.htm

http://www.ehow.com/about_6496181_history-native-american-eagle-dance.html

http://www.nativeamericanlinks.com/dancesandpowwows.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob4short/5704049713/

http://www.nativeamericanlinks.com/dancesandpowwows.htm

http://www.cardcow.com/images/set10/card14863_fr.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_For3vcG0IE

http://earlyamericans.wikispaces.com/Hopi

Sunday, September 25, 2011