The Hopis

Many Native peoples adapted to the arid climate of the Southwest cultural region.

The Southwest is today known as the states of Arizona, New Mexico, parts of Texas, Colorado, and the northern half of Mexico. The Southwest had fierce heat during the day, sharp cold temperatures at night, and often went months without rain.

Many people in the Southwest lived in pueblos,

like their Anasazi ancestors. The Hopis, the Zunis, and other Southwest tribes became known as the Pueblo peoples. The name Hopi means "Peaceful One." The early Hopis lived near Arizona.

Hopi villages were built on top of high, flat mesas.

In the fields below their mesa, the Hopis grew corn,

beans,

squash, and cotton.

The Hopis learned how to grow crops in the dry climate. They watered their crops from underground springs.

The Hopis kept prepared for times of drought. They stored their surplus food in jars

for when food was less plentiful.

The Hopis believed in three gods of the sun, rain, and earth. Spirits called Kachinas were believed to visit the world of the living people once a year. The Hopis believe the Kachina spirits

entered the bodies of their Kachina dancers.

Kachina dancers were Hopi men. They painted themselves and wore costumes and masks to look like the kachinas.

The Hopis built round, underground rooms called kivas.

Hopis men held secret religious ceremonies in the kivas. They also met there to discus community problems and to make laws.

Women were not allowed in the kivas.


	Kachinas mesas Southwest Region