Legacy of the Hopi: A Tale of Traditions and Transformation

1. Song of the Hopi

2. This is the legend of the Hopi, people of the southwest, my people. At night, snuggled in little boys and girls arms, I protect them amongst all enemies. Working the land, my people the Hopi men struggle to find food on the desert plateau, so I bring the rabbits, birds and armadillo to them. Hopi men hunting Song of the Hopi

3. My brother, the furious sun, fires up with red madness to keep the soil soft and warm . Happily and proudly, my sister the land helps grow the three sisters – corn, beans, and squash - with her soft, sandy soil . Song of the Hopi

4. In return for worshiping me, I the mighty Kachina, provide my tribe, the Hopi, with water for irrigation, land to farm, and adobe Pueblos for shelter. Adobe pueblos Song of the Hopi

5. Steadily and carefully ,I watch as my people, the Hopi girls, farm and water crops . Sweating and drooling, I gaze as my people dig their gated irrigation systems, so their food can grow along the wet banks under the baking sun. In the hot, dry air, trying to herd the feeble minded sheep, the Hopi boys struggle without my help . Song of the Hopi

6. Quickly and diligently, the women create and wash the clothes of the Hopi tribe. From the clouds that walk on water, the men on deer without antlers came and viciously attacked my people! Song of the Hopi

7. Screaming and shouting, the Hopi found they were defenseless against the weapons of the strangers. These men with skin like turtles and sticks that shoot came and demanded that my people give them rocks that shine. Song of the Hopi

8. Hiding in their homes, the Hopi are forced to give their food, water, and clothes to the evil men. Sad and miserable , my people watch as everything they need to survive is unfairly taken from Song of the Hopi

9. Joyfully and cheerfully, I watch as my people still participate in Hopi ceremonies today. Dancing around the fire, my people honor me. Song of the Hopi

10. Warm and cozy, my tribe now lives in homes of brick instead of houses made from muddy adobe. Instead of hunting for food, now they drive cars to grocery stores and buy food. Song of the Hopi

11. In the future, my people, I predict, will still be speaking the language of their ancestors. With pride, my people will keep their traditions by dancing around me, the Kachina. Song of the Hopi

12. Hopi at pow wow During pow wow, my people will learn the ways of the Hopi through the stories of their elders. Baking their clay in the fire, I predict they will still make pottery and sew like they have done for hundreds of years. Song of the Hopi

13. Song of the Hopi This is the legend of he Hopi people of the southwest my people.