North-South-East-West: American Indians and the Natural World
Hopi of the Southwest
Atop three high mesas in northern Arizona, Hopi sandstone villages
merge seamlessly into their rocky foundations. Others of the twelve
Hopi villages sit below on the valley floor. These are some of the
oldest continuously occupied villages in North America.
Rainfall is scant, vegetation is sparse, and seasonal temperatures
fluctuate widely, yet the Hopi people have chosen to farm in this
Corn has sustained the Hopi people throughout their history, just as it
sustains them throughout their lives. It is the
first solid food fed to infants and sustains the spirits
of the deceased as they journey into another world.
Part of the Hopi origin story recalls the time of emergence from a
previous world. Those who emerged were invited to choose from a
number of ears of corn. Some ears were large and hearty, indicating
a life of bounty and prosperity. Some were short, indicating that
life would not be easy, but overcoming hardships would make the
people strong. Hopis chose to live the life of the short ear of corn.
Image: Corn Effigy
Elmer Tootsie, Hopi-Tewa, ca. 1995
This ceramic ear of corn emphasizes the singular importance of corn
to the Hopi people. Archaeologists say that cultivated corn was
carried from Mexico into the American Southwest about 4,000 years
ago and became the staple food crop through adaptive breeding.
According to Hopi origin stories, corn was a gift from Maasawu, the
Earth deity, as he greeted people on their emergence into this
Clay, mineral paint, corn husk (Zea mays); L 46.5 x D 5.5