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The Hopi Indians


            The Hopi, whose name comes from hopitu meaning 'the peaceful ones,' are traditionally associated culturally with the Zuni and with the Pueblo Indians. The Hopi are descendants of people who migrated into the Southwest prior to 1000 BC. The Anasazi are the Hopi's ancestors and believed to be related to the Aztecs of Mexico. The Hopi's did have their own religious beliefs and language, but they also shared a basic culture with the Zuni and other Pueblo Indians. The Hopi's have their own reservation a top of three mesas (Mesa I, II and III respectively). .
             The men and women of the Hopi both shared great responsibly for the success of their tribe. The women were in charge of the land, house and they would also weave baskets. One of their other responsibilities was cooking. This was a very important responsibility and it was one that had to be proven before a marriage took place. The wife to be would have to grind corn for three days to prove that she did possess desirable wife skills. The men would plant and harvest the crops. They were also responsible for weaving cloth and that included the weaving of their fiancés wedding outfit. Perfoming religious ceremonies were also a responsibility of the males on the Hopi reservation. .
             Crops, particularly corn was crucial in survival to the Hopi and corn also played a more important role in the life of a Hopi Indian. Religious ceremonies were based on the corn that they grew. Corn was considered to be a gift from Massawu that he gave each Hopi in their emergence into the world. The corn that one received on their entrance into the world determined the fate of the individual in the world. Long healthy ears meant a prosperous life and short ears meant a life of challenges and overcoming hardships. Corn also a symbolic meaning when a child is born. A perfect ear of corn is chosen for the baby to have. .
             The dwellings of the Hopi played an important role in their culture.


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