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Basic
Instructions 666 Hopi Affirmation Pages
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From the Beginning of Life
to the Day of Purification
The Teachings, History
and Prophecies
of the Hopi People
As told by
Dan Kotshongva (Qötshongva), Sun Clan
(ca. 1865-1972)
Translated by Danaqyumptewa
CONTENTS
Introduction
The Beginning of Life Dons
notes
Emergence into the Present World
The First Meeting with the Great Spirit in this
World
An Act of Prophetic Consequence
The Mission of the Two Brothers
The Meeting with Maasaw near Oraibi
The Founding of Oraibi Kitsoki
The Arrival of Another Race Foretold
The Forces of Purification
The Faithful Hopi Meet Their Test
The Faithful Hopi Evicted from Oraibi
The Founding of Hotvel Village
Renewed Attacks
The Disruption Continues Today
INTRODUCTION
Dan Kotshongva, the late Sun Clan leader of Hotvel Kitsoki, spent more
than a century in this life. He was privileged to witness the battle
between the ancient world and the modern world, in which he saw many
old prophecies fulfilled. He experienced the whole spectrum from peaceful
life with few inventions, no police or jails, and no crime, to the
most forceful interference they have known since the end of the previous
world.
In a talk recorded on January 29, 1970, Dan told the story of the People
of Peace, from the dawn of time to the attacks which led to the founding
of Hotvel Kitsoki in 1906, the school, money and police systems which
threaten to end the Hopi Way within this generation, and the consequences
for America and the world.
The thought of publishing his talk grew from the recognition that those
causing this tragedy, and the millions who support them, could not
persist, had they but a glimpse of the purpose behind Hopi resistance
to foreign control. Dan agreed to the publication of this booklet on
condition that it never be sold. He insisted that to sell the Hopi
teachings would be like selling his own mother.
He selected the portions to be published, and the accuracy of the translation
was carefully established through his interpreter, Danaqyumptewa, with
emphasis given to the original wording. In light of recent insight
into the way certain names created by the United States are used signify
fictions of law in a foreign jurisdiction, the text has been corrected
to use Hotvel Kitsoki and Hopi Sinom (Hopi People) to signify the Hopi
concept of village and nation retaining unrelinquished peaceful aboriginal
sovereignty.
In addition to the prophecies fulfilled during his lifetime, Dan was
told by his father that he would live to see the beginning of the final
event of this era, the Great Day of Purification. Dan Kotshongva died
in 1972.
Thomas Francis
~ editor ~
"All I have is my planting stick and
my corn.
If you are willing to live as I do . . .
you may live here with me."
THE BEGINNING OF LIFE
Somewhere down in the underworld
we were created by the Great Spirit, the Creator. We were created first
one, then two, then three. We were created equal, of oneness, living
in a spiritual way, where life is everlasting. We were happy and at
peace with our fellow men. All things were plentiful, provided by our
Mother Earth upon which we were placed. We did not need to plant or
work to get food. Illness and troubles were unknown. For many years
we lived happily and increased to great numbers. Living
In the mist, we lived with God in the Spirit 99% and with substance
of 1%.
When the Great Spirit created us, he also gave us instructions or laws
to live by. We promised to live by his laws so that we would remain
peaceful, using them as a guideline for living happily upon that land
where he created and placed us. But from the beginning he warned us
that we must not be tempted by certain things by which we might lose
this perfect way of life. Laws
of Basic Instructions at 0. Foundational Law, along all lines.
Of course we had advantage of many good things in this life, so by
and by we broke the Creator's command by doing what he told us not
to do. So he punished us by making us as we are now, with both soul
and body. He said, "From now on you will have to go on your own.
You will get sick, and the length of your life will be limited." A
simple curse of More and External Seeking, = living in the 1%.
He made our bodies of two principles, good and evil. The left side
is good for it contains the heart. The right side is evil for it has
no heart. The left side is awkward but wise. The right side is clever
and strong, but it lacks wisdom. There would be a constant struggle
between the two sides, and by our actions we would have to decide which
was stronger, the evil or the good.
We lived in good ways for many years, but eventually evil proved to
be stronger. Some of the people forgot or ignored the Great spirit's
laws and once again began to do things that went against his instructions.
They became materialistic, inventing many things for their own gain,
and not sharing things as they had in the past. This resulted in a
great division, for some still wanted to follow the original instructions
and live simply.
The inventive ones, clever but lacking wisdom, made many destructive
things by which their lives were disrupted, and which threatened to
destroy all the people. Many of the things we see today are known to
have existed at that time. Finally, immorality flourished. The life
of the people became corrupted with social and sexual license which
swiftly involved the Kikmongwi's (chief's) wife and daughters, who
rarely came home to take care of their household duties. Not only the
Kikmongwi but also the high religious leaders were having the same
problem. Soon the leaders and others with good hearts were worried
that the life of the people was getting out of control.
The Kikmongwi gathered the high priests. They smoked and prayed for
guidance toward a way to solve the corruption. Many times they gathered,
until finally someone suggested that they move, find a new place, and
start a new life.
EMERGENCE INTO THE PRESENT WORLD
Now they had often heard certain thumping sounds coming from above,
so they knew that someone might be living there. It was decided that
this must be investigated. I will describe this briefly, for the whole
story would take much space.
Being gifted with wisdom, they created birds for this purpose. I will
name three. Two which are known for their strength and swiftness are
the kisa (hawk) and the pavowkaya (swallow) The third was a moochnee
(related to the mockingbird). His flight is awkward, but he is known
to be wise. They were each created at separate times by magic songs,
tobacco smoke and prayers, from dirt and saliva, which was covered
by a white cap (ova). Each was welcomed respectfully and given instructions
for his mission, should he succeed. The first two failed to reach the
top side of the sky, but the third one, moochnee, came through the
opening into this world.
The new world was beautiful. The earth was green and in bloom. The
bird observed all his instructions. His sense of wisdom guided him
to the being he was instructed to seek. When he found him it was high
noon, for the being, Maasaw, the Great Spirit, was preparing his noon
day meal. Ears of corn lay beside the fire. He flew down and landed
on top of his kisi (shady house) and sounded his arrival.
Maasaw was not surprised by the visitor, for by his wisdom and sense
of smell he already knew someone was coming. Respectfully he welcomed
him and invited him to sit down. The interview was brief and to the
point. "Why are you here? Could it be important?" "Yes," said
Moochnee, "I was sent here by the underworld people. They wish
to come to your land and live with you, for their ways have become
corrupted. With your permission they wish to move here with you and
start a new life. This is why I have come." Maasaw replied bluntly,
but with respect, "They may come."
With this message the bird returned to the underworld. While he was
gone the Kikmongwi and the leaders had continued to pray and wait for
his successful return. Upon his return with the good news of the new
world and Maasaw's permission for them to come, they were overjoyed.
Now the question was how they were to get to the top, so again they
smoked and prayed for guidance. At last they agreed to plant a tree
that would grow to the top and serve as a pathway. They planted the
seed of a shalavee (spruce tree), then they prayed and sang magic songs.
The tree grew and grew until it reached the sky, but its branches were
so soft and so many that it bent under the heavy earth pressure from
the top, so it did not pierce the sky. They planted another seed, this
one to be a louqu (pine). It grew as they sang their magic songs. This
tree was stout and strong. "Surely this one will get through," they
thought. But it was unsuccessful, for its branches also bent upon contact
with the solid object. Again they planted a seed. This time it was
a pakave (reed). Since it had a pointed end it pierced the sky up into
the new world.
Meanwhile all of this had been kept secret. Only proper, righteous,
and one-hearted people were informed of the plans to leave the corrupt
world. They were prepared to move out, so as soon as they knew it was
successful they started to come up on the inside of the plant, resting
between the joints as they worked their way up to the opening.
When they got to this world, everything was beautiful and peaceful.
The land was virgin, unmolested. They were very happy. They sang and
danced with joy, but their joy was short-lived, for that night the
chief's daughter died suddenly. Everyone was sad and worried. People
looked at one another suspiciously. An evil spell had been enacted.
This caused great concern that a witch or two-hearted person might
be among them.
Now the Kikmongwi had great power which he must use to settle the concern
of his people. He made a small ball out of cornmeal which he tossed
up above the group of people. The one upon whose head it landed would
be the guilty one. It landed upon the head of a girl. A quick decision
was made to throw her back through the opening into the underworld.
The wickedness must be gotten rid of, for they wished to live peacefully
in this new land. But the witch girl cried out for mercy, telling them
that on their long journey they would face many obstacles and dangers
of every description, and that her services would become useful, for
she had power to fight evil. She invited the Kikmongwi to look back
down into the underworld. He looked and saw his child playing happily
with the other children in the underworld, where upon death we will
all return. She was spared, but they left her there alone, perhaps
hoping that she would perish by some unknown cause.
THE FIRST MEETING WITH THE GREAT SPIRIT IN THIS
WORLD
It was here that the Great Spirit first appeared to them on this earth,
to give them the instructions by which they were to live and travel.
They divided into groups, each with its selected leader. Before them
he laid ears of corn of various lengths. They were each instructed
to pick one ear of corn to take with them on their journey, for their
subsistence and their livelihood. One by one they greedily picked out
the longest and most perfect-looking ears until only the shortest was
left. They did not realize that this was a test of wisdom. The shortest
ear was picked by the humblest leader. Then the Great Spirit gave them
their names and the languages by which they would be recognized. The
last picker of short corn was named HOPI.
HOPI means not only to be peaceful, but to obey and have faith in the
instructions of the Great Spirit, and not to distort any of his teachings
for influence or power, or in any way to corrupt the Hopi way of life.
Otherwise, the name will be taken away.
He then gave them instructions according to which they were to migrate
for a certain purpose to the four corners of the new land, leaving
many footprints, rock writings and ruins, for in time many would forget
that they were all one, united by a single purpose in coming up through
the reed.
Now that we were on top, we were each to follow our own leaders, but
so long as we did not forget the instructions of the Great Spirit we
would be able to survive. We were now bound by a vow to live by these
instructions and to complete our pattern of migration. Maasaw told
us that whoever would be the first to find him would be the leader
of those who were to follow, then he disappeared.
AN ACT OF PROPHETIC CONSEQUENCE
We migrated for many years to every corner of this continent, marking
our claim as we traveled, as these markings clearly testify up to the
present day. On our way we stopped for rest near the great river now
known as the Colorado. We had traveled far and gained a great deal
of knowledge, not forgetting our instructions. The group leader was
of the Bow Clan, a great chief with wisdom. But it was here that this
great chief disappeared into the dark night. After putting his family
to sleep he left in search of the Earth Center, where clever, ingenious
people from all nations meet to plan the future. By some means he found
the place, and was welcomed with respect. It was a beautiful place
with all manner of good things. Good food was laid before him by most
beautiful girls. It was all very tempting.
Until today we did not know the significance of this action. It had
to do with the future. By this action he caused a change to occur in
the pattern of life as we near the end of the life cycle of this world,
such that many of us would seek the materialistic world, trying to
enjoy all the good things it has to offer before destroying ourselves.
Those gifted with the knowledge of the sacred instructions will then
live cautiously, for they will remember and have faith in these instructions,
and it will be on their shoulders that the fate of the world will rest.
The people will corrupt the good ways of life, bringing about the same
life as that from which we fled in the underworld. The sacred body
of the female will no longer be hidden, for the shield of protection
will be uplifted, an act of temptation toward sexual license, which
will also be enjoyed. Most of us will be lost in all the confusion.
An awareness that something extraordinary is happening will develop
in most of the people, for even their leaders will be confused into
polluting themselves. It will be difficult to decide whom to follow.
The Hopi knew all this would come about. All these aspects of today's
life pattern were planned. So today we must stand firmly on our belief
in order to survive. The only course is to follow the instructions
of the Great Spirit himself.
THE MISSION OF THE TWO BROTHERS
This Bow Clan chief had two grown sons. When they learned of their
father's misdeed they were very sad. Their knowledge of the teachings
which they had received from him was all in order. Now they were left
alone to lead their people, for the very next day their father died.
They asked their mother to permit them to carry out the order of their
instructions for an event of this nature. She replied that it was up
to them, for their knowledge was complete. Upon agreement, the younger
brother was to continue in search of Maasaw, and to settle where he
found him. There he would await the return of this older brother, who
was to travel eastward toward the rising sun, where he would rest briefly.
While resting, he must listen for the voice of his younger brother,
who would expect him to come to his aid, for the change in the life
pattern will have disrupted the way of life of his people. Under the
pressure of a new ruler they will surely be wiped off the face of the
earth unless he comes.
So today we are still standing firmly on the Great Spirit's instructions.
We will continue to look and pray toward the East for his prompt return.
The younger brother warned the elder that the land and the people would
change. "But do not let your heart be troubled," he said, "for
you will find us. Many will turn away from the life plan of Maasaw,
but a few of us who are true to his teachings will remain in our dwellings.
The ancient character of our heads, the shape of our houses, the layout
of our villages, and the type of land upon which our kitsoki stands,
and our way of life. All will be in order, by which you will find us."
Before the first people had begun their migrations the people named
Hopi were given a set of stone tablets. Into these tablets the Great
Spirit inscribed the laws by which the Hopi were to travel and live
the good way of life, the peaceful way. They also contain a warning
that the Hopi must beware, for in time they would be influenced by
wicked people to forsake the life plan of Maasaw. It would not be easy
to stand up against this, for it would involve many good things that
would tempt many good people to forsake these laws. The Hopi would
be led into a most difficult position. The stones contain instructions
to be followed in such a case.
The older brother was to take one of the stone tablets with him to
the rising sun, and bring it back with him when he hears the desperate
call for aid. His brother will be in a state of hopelessness and despair.
His people may have forsaken the teachings, no longer respecting their
elders, and even turning upon their elders to destroy their way of
life. The stone tablets will be the final acknowledgment of their true
identity and brotherhood. Their mother is Sun Clan. They are the children
of the sun.
So it must be a Hopi who traveled from here to the rising sun and is
waiting someplace. Therefore it is only the Hopi that still have this
world rotating properly, and it is the Hopi who must be purified if
this world is to be saved. No other person anyplace will accomplish
this.
The older brother had to travel fast on his journey for there was not
much time, so the horse was created for him. The younger brother and
his people continued on in search of Maasaw.
On their way they came to a land that looked fertile and warm. Here
they marked their clan symbols on the rock to claim the land. This
was done by the Fire Clan, the Spider Clan, and the Snake Clan. This
place is now called Moencopi. They did not settle there at that time.
While the people were migrating, Maasaw was waiting for the first ones
to arrive. In those days he used to take walks near the place where
he lived, carrying a bunch of violet flowers (du-kyam-see) in his belt.
One day he lost them along the way. When he went to look for them he
found that they had been picked up by the Horny Toad Woman. When he
asked her for the flowers she refused to give them back, but instead
gave him her promise that she would help him in time of need. "I
too have a metal helmet," she told him, (possibly meaning that
certain people with metal helmets would help the Hopi when they get
into difficulty).
Often Maasaw would walk about a half mile north of his du-pa-cha (
a type of temporary house) to a place where there lay a long rock which
formed a natural shelter, which he must have picked as the place where
he and the first people would find each other. While waiting there
he would amuse himself by playing a game to test his skill, the name
of which (Nadu-won-pi-kya), was to play an important part later on
in the life of the Hopi, for it was here that the knowledge and wisdom
of the first people was to be tested. Until recent times children used
to play a similar game there, something like "hide-and-seek." One
person would hide, then signal by tapping on the rock, which would
transmit the sound in a peculiar way so that the others could not tell
exactly where the tapping was coming from. (Some years ago this rock
was destroyed by government road builders.) It was here that they found
Maasaw waiting.
THE MEETING WITH MAASAW NEAR ORAIBI
Before the migrations began Maasaw had let it be known, though perhaps
not by direct instructions, that whoever would find him first would
be the leader there. Later it became clear that this was a procedure
by which their true character would be specified.
When they found him, the people gathered and sat down with him to talk.
The first thing they wanted to know was where he lived. He replied
that he lived just north of there at a place called Oraibi. For a certain
reason he did not name it fully. The full name is Sip-Oraibi, meaning
something that has been solidified, referring to the fact that this
is the place where the earth was made solid when it was created.
They asked permission to live there with him. He did not answer directly,
for within them he saw evil. "It is up to you," he said. "I
have nothing here. My life is simple. All I have is my planting stick
and my corn. If you are willing to live as I do, and follow my instructions,
the life plan which I shall give you, you may live here with me, and
take care of the land. Then you may have a long, happy, fruitful life."
Then they asked him whether he would be their leader, thinking that
thus they would be assured a peaceful life. "No," he replied, "the
one who led you here will be the leader until you fulfill your pattern
of life," (for he saw into their hearts and knew that they still
had many selfish desires). "After that I will be the leader, but
not before, for I am the first and I shall be the last." Having
left all the instructions with them, he disappeared.
THE FOUNDING OF ORAIBI KITSOKI
Oraibi Kitsoki was settled and built in accordance with the instructions
of the Great Spirit. The Bow Clan chief was the father of the ceremonial
order. They remained under the leadership of the Bow Clan for some
time, perhaps until corruption set in. As you recall, the Bow Clan
chief of the past had contaminated his standing by taking part in the
changing of the life pattern.
Later the Bear Clan took over. This might have been because the bear
is strong and mighty. There may have been other reasons too, such as
a prophecy which told that a bear, sleeping somewhere in the northern
part of what is now called Europe, would awaken at a certain time where
he would wait. This group is called Bear Clan because they came across
a dead bear at the place of the shield symbol. Most of the important
people claimed to be of the Bear Clan, including the Bluebird and Spider
Clan people.
The vow which we made with Maasaw obligated us to follow His way of
life. He gave the land to us to use and care for through our ceremonial
duties. He instructed us and showed us the road plan by which we must
govern our lives. We wrote this pattern on a rock so that we would
always be reminded to follow the straight road. The Hopi must not drift
away from this road or Maasaw will take this land away from us. That
was his warning.
Oraibi Kitsoki was settled firmly. Migrating people were now gathering
there and asking to be admitted into the kitsoki. The Kikmongwi and
the high priests would always consider their request and base their
judgment upon their character and wisdom. Those who showed signs of
boastfulness were turned away and told to go to the south mesas where
their kind of people lived. Only good people, humble and sincere in
their prayers, were admitted.
One of these groups was the Coyote Clan, They were coming from Sh-got-kee
(Si-aht-ki), close to Walpi. There were several reasons they were pointed
out as bad people, but they were clever in a way. At first they were
not allowed to join the village. But when they made their fourth request
they were accepted according to the custom, and they were admitted
with the agreement that they act as a protection, and that in time
of troubles they would support and help the spokesman. But they were
warned to be cautious. That is the way we had it with all the clans,
because on the way most of us want to cheat or deceive the leaders
to get glory or fame. This causes us pollute our pattern of life to
the point where we are easily shaken in our beliefs.
The last group that was admitted to Oraibi was the Gray Eagle Clan.
As they finished their migration, they first settled in what today
is called New Mexico. Because they were people who like to make wars
and cause trouble makers, they were chased away by the Pueblo Indians
there. As they came to this area, they settled at Mishongnovi on Second
Mesa, with the condition that they would not start a quarrel or conflict.
If they break this promise, they should leave without resistance. So,
they started another conflict and they left as promised. After that
they came to Oraibi and asked to be admitted there. After several attempts
they were allowed to come in under the same promise that they had to
make at Mishongnovi, that they would move voluntarily if they caused
contention or broke their promise. In accordance with this agreement,
the leader of the Mishongnovi Kitsoki would consider re-accepting them
on Second Mesa, or to send them back to New Mexico where the Pueblo
Indians could do with them what they think is right.
Later, as we were forced to leave the Oraibi Kitsoki, and we started
to settle in Hotvela, they came with us, with the same agreement. That
is still in effect today. Again they caused disturbance, and they are
now obliged to leave. They are the seed of all the destruction in our
village. They betrayed the Hopi Sinom because they bow before the ones
that come with nice words, and through that they get benefits and advantages.
For them, there are just two ways: the way of the Great Spirit or the
way of Pahaana. They are obliged to go back to Mishongnovi as agreed.
The people over there wait for them, but they don't have the courage
to do what they promised. And they hide themselves like cowards behind
the man-made law of Pahaana.
Among the ceremonies of each group the prayer for rain was important
in order for the crops to grow and produce an abundance of food. The
people depend on this for their livelihood. Boastful people were not
admitted so that the prayers would not be polluted.
Oraibi was now firmly established. The pattern of the religious order
was established. Cycle by cycle we paid respect to our Mother Earth,
our Father Sun, the Great Spirit, and all things through our ceremonies.
We were happy for we were united as one.
THE ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER RACE FORETOLD
Time passed on, people passed on, and the prophecies of things to come
were passed from mouth to mouth. The stone tablets and the rock writing
of the life plan were often reviewed by the elders. Fearfully they
waited as they retold the prophecy that one day another race of people
would appear in their midst and claim our land as his own. He would
try to change our pattern of life. He would have a "sweet tongue" or
a "forked tongue," and many good things by which we would
be tempted. He would use force in an attempt to trap us into using
weapons, but we must not fall for this trick, for then we ourselves
would be brought to our knees, from which we might not be able to rise.
Nor must we ever raise our hand against any nation. We now call these
people Pahaana.
.
THE FORCES OF PURIFICATION
We have teachings and prophecies informing us that we must be alert
for the signs and omens which will come about to give us courage and
strength to stand on our beliefs. Blood will flow. Our hair and our
clothing will be scattered upon the earth. Nature will speak to us
with its mighty breath of wind. There will be earthquakes, floods,
changes in the seasons, and in the weather, disappearance of wildlife,
and famine in different forms. There will be gradual corruption and
confusion among the leaders and the people all over the world, and
wars will come about like powerful winds. All of this has been planned
from the beginning of creation.
We will have three people standing behind us, ready to fulfill our
prophecies when we get into hopeless difficulties: the Meha Symbol
(which refers to a plant that has a long root, milky sap, grows back
when cut off, and has a flower shaped like a swastika, symbolizing
the four great forces of nature in motion), the Sun Symbol, and the
Red Symbol. Pahaana's intrusion into the Hopi way of life will set
the Meha Symbol in motion, so that certain people will work for the
four great forces of nature (the four directions, the controlling forces,
the original force) which will rock the world into war. When this happens
we will know that our prophecies are coming true. We will gather strength
and stand firm.
This great movement will fall, but because its subsistence is milk.
Because it is controlled by the four forces of nature, it will rise
again to put the world in motion, creating another war, in which both
the Meha and the Sun Symbol will be at work. Then it will rest in order
to rise a third time. Our prophecy foretells that the third event will
be the decisive one. Our road plan foretells the outcome.
This sacred writing speaks the word of the Great Spirit. It could mean
the mysterious life seed with two principles of tomorrow, indicating
one, inside of which is two. The third and last, which will it bring
forth, purification or destruction?
This third event will depend upon the Red Symbol, which will take command,
setting the four forces of nature (Meha) in motion for the benefit
of the Sun. When he sets these forces in motion the whole world will
shake and turn red and turn against the people who are hindering the
Hopi cultural life. To all these people Purification Day will come.
Humble people will run to him in search of a new world, and the equality
that has been denied them. He will come unmercifully. His people will
cover the Earth like red ants. We must not go outside to watch. We
must stay in our houses. He will come and gather the wicked people
who are hindering the red people who were here first. He will be looking
for someone whom he will recognize by his way of life, or by his head
(the special Hopi haircut), or by the shape of his community and his
dwellings. He is the only one who will purify us.
The Purifier, commanded by the Red Symbol, with the help of the Sun
and the Meha, will weed out the wicked who have disturbed the way of
life of the Hopi, the true way of life on Earth. The wicked will be
beheaded and will speak no more. This will be the Purification for
all righteous people, the Earth, and all living things on the Earth.
The ills of the Earth will be cured. Mother Earth will bloom again
and all people will unite into peace and harmony for a long time to
come.
But if this does not materialize, the Hopi traditional identity will
vanish due to pressure from Pahaana. Through the white man's influence,
his religions, and the disappearance of our sacred land, the Hopi will
be doomed. This is the Universal Plan, speaking through the Great Spirit
since the dawn of time.
With this in mind, I as a Hopi do not make wars against any country,
because if I do, the Purifier will find out and punish me for fighting.
And since I am Hopi, I am not sending my children across the ocean
to fight. If they want to that's up to them, but they will no longer
be Hopi if they do.
Since I am Sun Clan, and the Sun is the father of all living things,
I love my children. If they realize what I am talking about they must
help me save this world.
The Hopi people have been placed on this side of the Earth to take
care of the land through their ceremonial duties, just as other races
of people have been placed elsewhere around the Earth to take care
of Her in their own ways. Together we hold the world in balance, revolving
properly. If the Hopi Sinom vanishes, the motion of the Earth will
become eccentric, the water will swallow the land, the people will
perish, and the ants will inherit the earth. Only a brother and a sister
may be left to start a new life.
.
THE FAITHFUL HOPIS MEET THEIR TEST
Pahaana came with great ambition and generosity, eagerly offering his
hand to help "improve" our way of life, establishing schools
to teach us the "better ways" of his life. He offered us
his medicine and health practices, saying that this would help us live
longer. He offered to help us mark our boundary, claiming that in that
way we would have more land. In all the kitsokis we rejected his offer.
He tried many ways to induce us, but failed to make us submit to his
wishes, for we were all one unity at that time, believers in the instructions
of Maasaw.
His next attempt was fear. He formed a police force consisting partly
of certain people who had been tempted by his offers and given weapons.
He threatened to arrest us and put us in prison, but we still stood
firm. The threats of arrest and imprisonment were put into action.
The kitsokis panicked and weaker people began to submit. In Oraibi,
our community leadership fell when Loloma (Bear Clan) made an agreement
with the United States government.
We who still had faith in Maasaw, including the main priests of the
religious orders, gathered together, rejecting the Kikmongwi's request
to submit. We sat down together and smoked and prayed that we would
be brave enough to take our stand. We took out our stone tablet and
studied it in every detail. We carefully reviewed the road plan written
on the rock near our kitsoki. This is the plan we must always follow,
for it is in order and complete. We recognized that the Fire Clan (meaning
my father, Yukiwma) must lead, for his symbol, Maasaw, stands to the
right of the reed as he faces out. We also interpreted that since our
way of life had been corrupted we must move to a new place where we
would be able to follow the road without interference and continue
our ceremonial duties for all beings.
We smoked and prayed again and reconsidered that this kitsoki, Oraibi,
is our mother kitsoki. All our sacred shrines are rooted here and must
not be left unattended. We knew that the road would be hard with many
obstacles. We knew that we would still be troubled by the newcomer,
and that we must still face all the tests of weakness, so we agreed
to stay.
The trouble commenced its course. The government wanted all of the
Hopi children to be put into schools. They said it would do us good,
but we knew that this "good" would only be on the surface,
and that what was under it would destroy the Hopi cultural life. Maybe
they thought that with an education the children might be able to help
the old people, but we knew this would not be so, because they would
learn to think as white men, so they would never help the old people.
Instead they would be indoctrinated and encouraged to turn against
us, as they are actually doing today. So in order to be good according
to the Great Spirit's instructions we refused to put our children into
the schools.
So almost every week they would send policemen, many of them. They
would surround the kitsoki and hunt for the children of school age.
We could not be happy because we were expecting trouble every day.
Fathers who refused to cooperate were arrested and imprisoned. Inhuman
acts were imposed upon us, starvation, insults and humiliation, to
force us into submission. Still, over half of the clan leaders and
religious society leaders refused to accept anything from the government.
Because of this we were mocked and treated as outcasts by those who
had already submitted. Finally they decided to do something about us
because we were keeping them from getting certain favors from the government.
This was when Loloma's successor, Tawaquaptewa, became chief of Oraibi.
It was under his leadership that the sad event, the eviction of the
faithful Hopi from Oraibi, was touched off. Since we "Hostiles," as
we were called by the missionaries and government workers refused to
follow his wishes and accept the white man's way of life, he decided
to evict us bodily. He figured that without our interference he would
be able to take advantage of the good things offered by Pahaana.
.
THE FAITHFUL HOPIS EVICTED FROM ORAIBI
On September 7, 1906, Tawaquaptewa’s followers, commanded by chief
himself, entered the house where we were discussing prophesies and
threw us out. We did not resist until rifles and other weapons were
shown and they began beating us. Then we resisted only to the extent
of defending ourselves from injury. I was knocked unconscious. When
I came to, all my people were gathered to go. My father, Yukiwma, was
selected to be the leader. The women and children, with a few belongings
on their backs, a little food, and no shoes, were prepared to leave.
Some tried to go back to their houses to get their valuables and some
extra food, but they were turned back. (In Book of the Hopi, it is
said we were allowed to go back and get some belongings, but this is
not true. That book is not accurate.) After we had left, we learned
that our houses had been looted and that horses had been turned loose
in our fields and had eaten our crops, which were just ready for harvest.
Thus, as in our previous existence, we had to migrate once again to
find a new home, leaving behind a corrupt world of confusion. We sought
to start a new life, carry on our ceremonial cycles, and preserve our
way of life without interference, but now we know that this was a dead
dream, for the interference has continued right up to the present day.
THE FOUNDING OF HOTVEL KITSOKI
The Hotvel Kitsoki was settled for one purpose, to stand firmly on
the Great Spirit's instructions and fulfill the prophecies to the end.
It was established by good people, one-hearted people who were actually
living these instructions. Water was plentiful, and so was wood, from
which we built temporary shelters in which we were to survive the cold
winter with very few blankets. Food was scarce, but we managed to live
from the land by hunting game and picking greens. We were joined in
oneness, but would again be split into two factions due to extreme
pressure from the outside.
RENEWED ATTACKS
Hardly had our footprints faded away in Oraibi, when early one morning
we found ourselves surrounded by government troops. All the people,
including the children, were ordered to march six miles to a place
below Oraibi. From there all the men were marched over forty miles
to the U.S. government agency at Keams Canyon, where they were imprisoned
for about a year and a half for not accepting the generous offer of
education for our children, among other things.
The first thing they ordered us to do was to sign papers. We refused.
Then they locked us inside a building without food and with very little
water for several days until we were very hungry. Again they tried
to induce us to sign papers, promising to feed us and let us go, but
again we refused. They tried other tricks to make us sign, but each
time we refused. Finally they took us to a blacksmith shop, where they
riveted chains to our legs with loops and hooks, and fastened us together
in pairs. In this way we were forced to work on a road gang for long
hours everyday, working dangerously with dynamite on the steep rocky
cliffs near the agency. That road is now the foundation of a highway
still in use today.
At night we were fastened together in groups of six by means of long
chains. To add to our torture, soap was added to our food, which made
us very sick. When one man had to go the outhouse, all six had to go.
All this time the possibility of signing certain papers was left open
to those who might weaken. During this period my father, Yukiwma, was
being held somewhere else so I was acting as leader.
While we were in prison, only the women and children, and maybe a few
old men, were left out here. They had very little food, but as if by
a miracle, there happened to be a lot of rabbits and other wild game
that winter, so on that meat diet they were able to survive the hard
weather. It was very hard while the men were away. The old people used
to talk about it. The women had to gather the wood themselves. My mother
used to tell me how they would form hunting parties and get the dogs
to help. We had a small flock of sheep which they tended while we were
away. During the growing season they planted the crops, took care of
the fields, and did all the work that the men would normally do, in
order to survive.
THE DISRUPTION CONTINUES TODAY
During this period a group under the leadership of Kawonimptewa (Sand
Clan), fearing even worse pressure from the government, returned to
Oraibi to follow Tawaquaptewa and accept the white man's way, but they
were rejected and driven out. They settled about two miles from Hotvela,
where they founded Bakavi Kitsoki. Unable to make out independently,
they asked the government agency for help. The agency happily obliged
with such things as housing materials. Now they almost entirely accept
the white man's way, along with his religion. According to the Great
Spirit's law they are now landless. Their only assets are their dwellings.
But it is through them that the agency obtained token permission to
build a school on Hotvela land, and with the agency's backing they
have committed land grabs against the Hotvela people. It is also through
them that the government has built a water tower on Hotvela land, which
supplies running water to the school and to Bakavi Kitsoki while depleting
the natural water supply of the Hotvela people. Most of the people
in Hotvela refuse to use the water from this tower. Much of the trouble
caused by the Bakavi people still exists today. I can recall much more
that I hope will come to light.
At the present time we face the danger that we might lose our land
entirely. Through the influence of the United States government, some
people of Hopi ancestry have organized what they call the "Hopi
Tribe", patterned according to a plan devised by the United States
Government, for the purpose of negotiating directly with the it and
with private businesses. They claim to act in the interests of the
Hopi people, despite the fact that they ignore the existing traditional
leaders, and represent only a small minority of the people of Hopi
blood. Large areas of our land have been leased, and this group is
now accepting compensation from the Indian Claims Commission for the
use of 44,000,000 acres of Hopi land. We have protested all these moves,
but to no avail.
Now this "Hopi Tribe" was formed illegally, even according
to white man's laws. We traditional leaders have disapproved and protested
form the start. In spite of this they have been organized and recognized
by the United States government for the purpose of disguising its wrongdoing
to the outside world. We do not have representatives in this organization,
nor are we legally subject to their regulations and programs. We Hopis
are an independent sovereign nation, by the law of the Great Spirit,
but the United States government does not want to recognize the aboriginal
leaders of this land. Instead, he recognizes only what he himself has
created out of today's children in order to carry out his scheme to
claim all of our land.
Because of this, we now face the greatest threat of all, the actual
loss of our cornfields and gardens, our animals and wild game, and
our natural water supply, which would put an end to the Hopi way of
life. At the urging of the Department of the Interior of the United
States, the "Hopi Tribe" has signed several leases with an
outside private enterprise, the Peabody Coal Company, allowing them
to explore our land for coal deposits, and to strip-mine the sacred
mesas, selling the coal to several large power plants. This is part
of a project intended to bring heavy industry into our area against
our wishes. We know that this will pollute the fields and grazing lands
and drive out the wildlife. Great quantities of water will be pumped
from beneath our desert land and used to push coal through a pipe to
a power plant in Nevada. The loss of this water will affect our farms
as well as the grazing areas of the animals. It also threatens our
sacred springs, our only natural source of water, which we have depended
upon for centuries.
We Hopi knew all this would come about, because this is the Universal
Plan. It was planned by the Great Spirit and the Creator that when
the white man came he would offer us many things. If we were to accept
those offers from his government, that would be the doom of the Hopi
nation. Hopi is the bloodline of this continent, as others are the
bloodline of other continents. So if Hopi is doomed, the whole world
will be destroyed. This we know, because this same thing happened in
the other world. So if we want to survive, we should go back to the
way we lived in the beginning, the peaceful way, and accept everything
the Creator has provided for us to follow.
White man's laws are many, but mine is one. White man's laws are all
stacked up. So many people have made the rules, and many more of them
are made every day. But my law is only the Creator's, just one. And
no man-made law must I follow, because it is ever-changing, and will
doom my people.
We know that when the time comes, the Hopis will be reduced to maybe
one person, two persons, three persons. If we can withstand the pressure
from the people who are against the tradition, the world might survive
from destruction We are at the stage where I must stand alone, free
from impure elements. I
must continue to lead my people on the road the Great Spirit made for
us to travel. I do not disregard anyone. All who are faithful and confident
in the Great Spirit's way are at liberty to follow the same road. We
will meet many obstacles along the way. The peaceful way of life can
be accomplished only by people with strong courage, and by the purification
of all living things. Mother Earth's ills must be cured.
As we say, the Hopi are the first people created. They must cure the
ills of their own bloodline so everything will become peaceful naturally,
by the will of the Creator. He will cure the world. But right now Hopi
is being hurt. To us this is a sign that the world is in trouble. All
over the world the confused people have been fighting, and it will
get worse. It is only purification of Hopi that will settle the problems
here on this Earth. We didn't suffer all this hardship and punishment
for nothing. We live by these prophecies and teachings, and no matter
what happens, we will not buckle down under any pressure from anybody.
We know certain people are commissioned to bring about the Purification.
It is the Universal Plan from the beginning of creation, and we are
looking up to them to bring purification to us. It is in the rock writings
throughout the world, on different continents. We will come together
if people all over the world know about it. So we urge you to spread
this word around so people will know about it, and the appointed ones
will hurry up with their task, to purify Hopi and get rid of those
who are hindering our way of life.
I have spoken. I wish this message to travel to all corners of this
land and across the great waters, where people of understanding may
consider these words of wisdom and knowledge. This I want. For people
may have different opinions about some things, but because of the nature
of the beliefs upon which the Hopi life is based, I expect that at
least one will agree, maybe even two. If three agree, the power will
increase many fold.
I am forever looking and praying eastward to the rising sun for my
true white brother to come and purify Hopi. My father, Yukiwma, used
to tell me that I would be the one to take over as leader at this time,
because I belong to the Sun Clan, the father of all the people on the
Earth. I was told that I must not give in, because I am the first.
The Sun is the father of all living things from the first creation.
And if I am done, the Sun Clan, then there will be no living thing
left on the Earth. So I have stood fast. I hope you will understand
what I am trying to tell you.
I am the Sun, the father. With my warmth all things are created. You
are my children, and I am very concerned about you. I hold you to protect
you from harm, but my heart is sad to see you leaving my protecting
arms and destroying yourselves. From the breast of your mother, the
Earth, you receive your nourishment, but she is too dangerously ill
to give you pure food. What will it be? Will you lift your father's
heart? Will you cure your mother's ills? Or will you forsake us and
leave us with sadness, to be weathered away? I don't want this world
to be destroyed. If this world is saved, you all will be saved, and
whoever has stood fast will complete this plan with us, so we will
all be happy in the Peaceful Way.
People everywhere must give Hopi their most serious consideration,
our prophecies, our teachings, and our ceremonial duties, for if Hopi
fails, it will trigger the destruction of the world and all mankind.
I have spoken through the mouth of the Creator. May the Great Spirit
guide you on the right path.
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