A collection of twenty legends of the Hopi people, originating in the different tribes and relating tales of journeys, wars, heroic deeds, and tribal heroes.
Thomas O. Mills befriended author Frank Waters, who in 1963 had written The Book of the Hopi with his Hopi informant Oswald White Bear Fredericks. Their book included the Hopi Creation Story. Mills listened, read and began to draw his own original and provocative conclusions. In his book, he seeks to track actual events and history that may be buried within it and how this could relate to our future. This book, drawing together a variety of ideas that are usually considered separately, makes stimulating reading and is good material for classroom discussions on history, race, Hopi culture, astronomy and "myth." Mills's intuitive vision should spur scientists to look more closely into what we like to call "myths" or "stories" for their possible basis in historical fact. And today, as we worry about climate change and what it means for the future, shouldn't we also be figuring out whether modern technology can prevent the earth's next rotational shake-up, and how we plan to survive it?
"The tales concern such villages as Sikyatki, Hisatsongoopavi, and Awat'ovi, which were destroyed by war, fire, earthquake, or internal strife. Though abandoned for centuries, they live in memory, reminders of ancient tragedies and enmities that changed the Hopis forever. Related by storytellers from Second and Third Mesa, these tales vividly describe village destruction and show how much human evils such as witchcraft, hubris, corruption and betrayal of fundamental values can precipitate social disintegration and chaos."--BOOK JACKET.
In the Truth of a Hopi, Edmund Nequatewa relates the Hopis' myths, legends, belief systems, and oral history. Nequatewa's writings give us a glimpse into the psyche of the Hopi in the way that only a Hopi could. Here you will find not only the traditional oral histories, but stories of how the Hopi resisted sending their children away to enforced boarding schools. A fascinating view of a subtle people.
"This is the first bilingual presentation of an ancient and powerful Hopi legend. The creation of Sunset Crater, in northeastern Arizona, plays a climactic role in this legend in which the Ka'nas kachina mingles with mortals, and through a saga of marriage and magic, betrayal and revenge, prosperity and famine, tests their loyalty, brings them to near starvation, and, finally, takes pity on the steadfast survivors. Also included in this volume are chapters on the archaeology and geology of the Sunset Crater region. A discussion of the Hopi alphabet and an extensive glossary benefit those more interested in Hopi language. Because legend and folklore capture the basic foundations of culture, this book is an important contribution to Hopi literature, and takes an important stride toward reaching cross-cultural understanding"--Book cover.