| Hopi Indian Art Hopi Art Hopi Pottery Hopi Legends Hopi women have traditionally followed the art of basket weaving and the women of the Second and Third Mesa still produce the most valued basket art. Like their pottery objects, baskets were made to serve a purpose. Some were used for daily life, while the most intricate held ceremonial corn or corn pollen for sacred Hopi rituals. Hopi basket makers have used kachina spirit and other symbols in their basket designs. The Hopi arts are mainly centered around their beautiful pottery, and the development of their pottery making is centered around their people's history. Hopi pottery making had been flavored by their Ancient ancestor the Anasazi. |
| Jeddito Black-on-yellow Sikyatki Polychrome tradition continued into the early 1600's, but by that time declined somewhat. We have seen that Hopi wares were widely traded and had been known to many Indians for several centuries. Kachina carving is also an important art among the Hopi. It developed from their worship of guardian spirits, or intermediaries between the creator and the people. Kachinas are solstice, they travel to inhabit people’s bodies and remain until after the summer solstice. Re-created in dolls and masks, they deliver the blessings of life and teach people the proper way to live. Kachina societies are associated with clan ancestors and with rain gods. All Hopis are initiated into kachina societies, although only men play an active part in them. Below: Hopi Woman making pottery |
