In 1629, a group of Franciscans stationed at the village of Oraibi named the giant mountains they saw San Francisco, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi . Opinions over the use of the peaks by Native tribes and this new influx of culture are as far apart as the names they call the mountain itself. At over a mile high, the San Francisco Mountains tower over the predominantly Anglo town of Flagstaff to the south. The mountain range was actually formed by a volcano that is now inactive. These peaks have long been considered sacred ground by thirteen Native American tribes, including the Hopi and the Navajo. As the importance of the use of the peaks has intensified among both recreationally and economically for the city of Flagstaff so too has the controversy generated more heat among Native tribes. Opening in 1937, the Arizona Snowbowl is one of the oldest running ski resorts in the country. Since that time the Snow Bowl has created adversity everywhere from environmentalists to Native Americans. The only way to understand the legitimacy of these Native American claims is to take a closer look at how the peaks relate to their religion and way of life. This will be done through the two most dominant voices of the battle, the Navajo and Hopi. This comprehension is necessary in order to fully understand the hardships and tribulations many spiritual Natives have endured in trying to protect their sacred land, even when the law is seemingly on their side. Evidence produced by archeologists suggests that the Hopi have inhabited their sacred mountain for well over a thousand years. These mountains hold sacred spirits to the Hopi called kachinas. These spirits are essential in the Hopi religion serving as a medium between the Hopi a... ... middle of paper ... ...rest Service didn't have a very hard time in allowing the development of the peaks. Similar results were found in 1981 when part of the Hopi tribe, the Navajo Medicinemen's Association, went to Washington to fight these decisions. Judge Charles Richey made the first interpretation of the new Act in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. This was quite a blow for the tribes, with the Court of Appeals upholding Richey's decision stating that AIRFA doesn't require "Native traditional religious considerations always to prevail to the exclusion of all else." After years of delay and multiple owners, the Native cause to stop the expansion on Snow Bowl failed. While AIRFA wasn't necessarily a success for the Native people, the fight would continue to be raged on in spite of cultural differences and an inability to see eye to eye on the issue.
Further, prayer and medicine interplay to paint a classical image of the Native’s creed, yet, for many obsolete or preposterous existences of the shaman. To re-install beliefs present in the world for thousands of years, but have been disappearing, writers such as Neidhardt introduce the element of the
Kathryn book Life in the Pueblo is based on excavations that she did at Lizard Man Village (Kamp, 1997). This was a small pueblo located in Arizona which is believed to be inhabited between 11th and 13th century. These ancient excavations were first carried out by United States Forest Service and were parts of Grinnell College field school (Kamp, 1997). The aim of the book was to describe Lizard Man Village and present excavation processes and analysis. Kamp 1997 offers archaeological interpretation of the site in relation to the past understandings. She bring out successfully three narratives. These narratives include ethnographic data in relationship to traditional accounts from Hopi (a place which is believed to be the first resident of Lizard Man) (Kamp, 1997). He also bring out clearly the issue of archaeology as well as fictional account basing it on both ethnography and archaeology.
Within the state of Colorado lies a well know national park, which is known for its breathtaking geologic features and history of ancient civilizations. This site of interest is known as Mesa Verde National Park. In the Spanish language, Mesa Verde means green table. This park serves a medium for the protection of the thousands of well-known archeological sites that lie within it. Many of these preserved sites served as a home for its inhabitants, the Ancestral Pueblo people, over a thousand years ago. It is estimated that this was most likely around AD 600 to about 1300.
So now you have met the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas. You’ve learned about their lives, seen their journeys, and traveled with them from the past to the present. In all I hope this paper gives a greater understanding of the history and a look into another culture to broaden minds.
Throughout ancient history, many indigenous tribes and cultures have shown a common trait of being hunter/gatherer societies, relying solely on what nature had to offer. The geographical location influenced all aspects of tribal life including, spirituality, healing philosophy and healing practices. Despite vast differences in the geographical location, reports show various similarities relating to the spirituality, healing philosophy and healing practices of indigenous tribal cultures.
In Pueblo Indian religious practice, any of more than 500 divine ancestral spirits who act as intermediaries between man and god. They will allow themselves to be seen by the community if the men properly perform a traditional ritual while wearing kachina masks. The spirit painted or carved on the mask is thought to be actually present with the performer, temporarily transforming him into a Kachina spirit.
By analyzing the Kawaiisu, a Great Basin Native tribe, I want to explore cultural wonders and observe their society as I compare an aspect of interest with that of another culture in the world, the Chuuk. Comparing different societies of the world will allow me to successfully learn about the Kawaiisu people in a more detailed and open minded manner. Populations all around the world throughout time have had different views and traditions of beliefs. Through this project, I hope to unravel and gain an understanding of different perspectives and ways of life.
“To discover, understand, and encounter the cultures and intricate natures of the California Indian people, it is necessary to search the past” –Nancy Wahl. Tracing back in California history, Spanish explorers, commanded by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, found the tip of what is now Baja California in the year 1533 and named it "California" after a mythical island in a popular Spanish novel. It is evident that from the time Spanish monarchs set foot in California, the world as Native Americans knew it was never the same again. The late 1700s initiated and marked the colonization of Spaniards in the “Golden State” which in turn provoked the massive persecution and extermination of Native American population as well as the disappearance of Native heritage and culture. As a result, the recurring despairs and adversities of the Indian population began.
In 1785, a Christ Child was said to have appeared. A shepherd boy from the village of Tayankani played with the child, but the child disappeared. The child was believed to have disappeared into a rock that was left with his imprint. This is the story behind the pilgrimage to the rock, but those of our community don’t pay much attention to it. Their purpose in the event is to ‘honor’ their supernatural beings. They pay homage to Rit’i (the snow), Taytakuna (Fathers), and the great Apus (Lord Mountains).
Duane Champagne in Social Change and Cultural Continuity Among Native Nations explains that there has never been one definitive world view that comprises any one Native American culture, as there is no such thing as one “Native community” (2007:10). However, there are certain commonalities in the ways of seeing and experiencing the world that many Native communities and their religions seem to share.
The Hopi have a highly developed belief system which contains many gods and spirits. Ceremonies, rituals, dances, songs, and prayers are celebrated in year-round. The Hopi believed they were led to the arid southwestern region of America by their creator, because he knew they had the power to evoke rain with power and prayer. Consequently, the Hopi are connected to their land, its agricultural cycles and the constant quest for rainfall, in a religious way. The religious center of the community is the kiva, which is an underground room with a ladder protruding above the roof. The kiva is very important for several reasons. From the kiva, a connection is made with the center of the earth. Also, the kiva is symbolic for the emergence to this world. The room would represent the underworld and the ladder would represent the way to the upper world. In fact, a room is kept in the house to store ceremonial objects. A sacred ear of corn protects the room and symbolizes the ancestry of the family members. Kachinas are also a focal point of the religion. For a Hopi, they signify spirits of ancestors, dieties of the natural world, or intermediaries between man and gods. The Hopi believe that they are the earth's caretakers, and with the successful performance of their ceremonial cycle, the world will remain in balance, the gods will be happy and rain will come. Because they think of their crops as gifts, the Hopi Indians live in harmony with the environment.
The Hopi, an Amerindian tribe, have a rich history. As one of the oldest living cultures in history, the Hopi people live in the Grand Canyon area, setting up villages along their mesas. For 2000 years, the Hopi have continued to persist teach their children their traditions against the forced assimilation of the white man. Sun Chief, an autobiography of Don Talayesva, captures the life of Don, recounting stories from his childhood and his experiences at school and beyond. During his time at school, Don catches a severe case of pneumonia which leads to his temporary death. While he is in between life and death, his Guardian Spirit comes to take him on a journey and teach him a lesson. Through this journey,
Legends of Bigfoot told for hundreds of generations. Myths of ancient sacred burial grounds that generate paranormal activity. Tales of legendary people who dwell in secret societies beneath the mountains surface. From natural, to supernatural events, the volcanic Mount Shasta, is the originator of many campfire-worthy stories. The more that’s revealed about this Northern Californian landmark, the more it seems to be the true ‘Magic Mountain’ of the west coast. As intriguing it may be, there’s more to this famous mountain than chilling ghost-stories and arrivals of close-encounters-of-a-third-kind. This beautiful, pyramid shaped peak, draws international tourist by the crowds. Its energetic healing powers, and mentally stimulating scenic areas are the most beneficial reason for a visit. Energy of all natural sources can be found through every square inch of Mt. Shasta’s inner earth.
It was my first semester at West Hawaii Community College in Dr. Stevens’ world history class when I discovered the suffering state of our native lowland dry forests and the endemic tree species disappearing within them. Human interaction is the source of this degradation, so I took it as a moral obligation to work strenuously toward its revival. As a class, we were told that the land surrounding our campus at Palamanui was once teeming with the endemic lama tree, hence the name ‘Palamanui’. With very few lama trees that can be spotted from the college, members of the community, along with students at our campus came together to create a trail connecting these remaining trees.
The sport of skiing is dated back nearly 4,500 years. It began as a hunting technique for hunters in the Artic Rim tracking down game. Soon after, the Viking King Harald, in Iceland, used skiing not just for hunting, but for pleasure as well. The sport soon became competitive in racing, and wagers were placed on it. From here the sport spread across forty countries making it one of the fastest growing sports of the time (International Skiing History Association, 2004). It soon caught the attention of the local people of Flagstaff, Arizona. Lying on ancient volcanic ruins, the Flagstaff community began skiing the hills of Snowbowl in 1938 (International Skiing History Association, 2004). The Snowbowl ski area is made of up the extinct volcano, which is more than three million years old. Snowbowl is located in the highest mountains of Arizona, with a summit of 12,633 feet. In 1979, the mountain of Snowbowl was finally approved for additional construction of the ski area, expanding it and adding new features (The Sedona Dream Maker, 2003-2005). The Hopi and Navajo Tribes opposed this decision immensely for the sake of their heritage and beliefs lying on this very mountain. But, the Forest Service decided to go forth with it because they agreed to let the mountain have multiple uses, such as the recreation they were approving. Presently, the ski area has up to 30,000 to 180,000 visitors a year depending on the snowfall, according to Christopher McLeod for High Country News, September 11, 2000. With the technology of snowmaking now, the area is prone to expansion with the vicinity growing with each year.