The Hopi tribe follows a yearly life cycle that is celebrated with various rituals. Each month plays an important role in the tribe’s culture. November is Kelmuya, which means “month of baby hawks.” This is quite symbolic and represents the newfound wisdom of its newest members. During this period, hawks grow in anticipation of the… Continue Reading
As the month draws to an end, we like to reflect on one of the great indigenous traditions that takes place this time of year. Day of the Dead will soon be here. What does this holiday mean for us? An Ancient Celebration of Life Although we think of Day of the Dead as a… Continue Reading
Every culture carries its own emblems. These emblems are deeply representative of the people and they can carry spiritual significance. For the Hopi, one such emblem is the katsina doll. An Overview of Katsina Dolls The Hopi are a peaceful people. Today, more than 9,000 Hopi people live together on a reservation in Arizona. Although… Continue Reading
While swaddling and baby carrying seem like the latest ideas in parenting trends, these soothing practices have been an important part of childrearing traditions in the Native American culture for thousands of years. Variations of the Native American baby carrier are found across hundreds of North American tribes, including the Shoshone, Cree, Ojibwe, Winnebago, Nez… Continue Reading
It is generally believed that the term “tomahawk” originated with the Algonquian peoples, a group who spoke Algonquian languages and lived mostly around the Great Lakes, along the northern Atlantic Coast and around the Saint Lawrence River. They also lived in the dense forest regions of what is presently known as Ontario, Canada. The Algonquian… Continue Reading