Talangva is the climax of the Katsina season. July hosts the Niman ceremony, a home-going ritual to close the Katsina season. This is the time for plant growth and expression of appreciation as the peoples’ prayers have been answered.
The joy and appreciation for the blessings from Katsinam are celebrated at Niman. This celebration begins several weeks after Summer Solstice. Niman is a multi-ritual ceremony that covers nine continuous days with prayers in the kivas and ceremonies throughout Hopi culminating in the very colorful dances and gift giving in the plazas.
The Hems Katsina and the Hemis Mana or Yellow Corn Maiden are the main personaters in this dance. This event is one in which the Clowns do not participate. It is a solemn religious ritual and is no place for disrespectful behavior. Niman is a time for intense prayer for late summer rains which will help produce a plentiful crop.
After the dances, the Hemis Katsinam lead all the Katsinam back to the San Francisco Peaks where they will spend the remainder of the year until Winter Solstice when they return to Hopi to once again begin the Katsina Season.
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