INTRODUCTION
Dan Katchongva,
the late Sun Clan leader of Hotevilla, spent more than a century in this
life, in the course of which he was privileged to witness the battle between
the ancient world and the modern world, and in which he saw many old prophecies
fulfilled. He experienced the whole spectrum, from peaceful village life
to the most forceful interference the Hopi have known since the end of the
previous world.
In a talk recorded on January 29, 1970, Dan told the story of the People
of Peace, from the dawn of time to the attacks which led to the founding
of Hotvela in 1906, the school, money and police systems which threaten to
end the Hopi Way within this generation, and the consequences for America
and the world.
The thought of publishing his talk grew from the recognition that those
causing this tragedy, and the millions who support them, could not persist,
had they but a glimpse of the purpose behind Hopi resistance to foreign
control.
Dan agreed to the publication of this booklet on condition that it never
be sold, insisting that to sell Hopi teachings would be like selling his
own mother.
He selected the portions to be published, and the accuracy of the translation
was carefully established through his interpreter, Danaqyumptewa, with emphasis
given to the original wording.
In addition to the prophecies fulfilled during his lifetime, Dan was told
by his father that he would live to see the beginning of the final event
of this era, the Great Day of Purification. Dan Katchongva died in 1972.
T.F.
"All I have is my planting stick and my corn.
If you are willing to live as I do. . .
you may live here with me."
THE BEGINNING OF LIFE
Somewhere down in the underworld we were created by the Great Spirit,
the Creator. We were created first one, then two, then three. We were created
equal, of oneness, living in a spiritual way, where the life is everlasting.
We were happy and at peace with our fellow men. All things were plentiful,
provided by our Mother Earth upon which we were placed. We did not need to
plant or work to get food. Illness and troubles were unknown. For many years
we lived happily and increased to great numbers.
When the Great Spirit created us, he also gave us instructions or laws
to live by. We promised to live by his laws so that we would remain peaceful,
using them as a guideline for living happily upon that land where he created
and placed us. But from the beginning he warned us that we must not be tempted
by certain things by which we might lose this perfect way of life.
Of course we had advantage of many good things in this life, so by and
by we broke the Creator's command by doing what he told us not to do. So
he punished us by making us as we are now, with both soul and body. He said,
"From now on you will have to go on your own. You will get sick, and the
length of your life will be limited."
He made our bodies of two principles, good and evil. The left side is
good for it contains the heart. The right side is evil for it has no heart.
The left side is awkward but wise. The right side is clever and strong, but
it lacks wisdom. There would be a constant struggle between the two sides,
and by our actions we would have to decide which was stronger, the evil or
the good.
We lived in good ways for many years, but eventually evil proved to be
stronger. Some of the people forgot or ignored the Great spirit's laws and
once again began to do things that went against his instructions. They became
materialistic, inventing many things for their own gain, and not sharing
things as they had in the past. This resulted in a great division, for some
still wanted to follow the original instructions and live simply.
The inventive ones, clever but lacking wisdom, made many destructive things
by which their lives were disrupted, and which threatened to destroy all
the people. Many of the things we see today are known to have existed at
that time. Finally, immorality flourished. The life of the people became
corrupted with social and sexual license which swiftly involved the Kikmongwi's
(chief's) wife and daughters, who rarely came home to take care of their
household duties. Not only the Kikmongwi but also the high religious leaders
were having the same problem. Soon the leaders and others with good hearts
were worried that the life of the people was getting out of control.
The Kikmongwi gathered the high priests. They smoked and prayed for guidance
toward a way to solve the corruption. Many times they gathered, until finally
someone suggested that they move, find a new place, and start a new life.
EMERGENCE INTO THE PRESENT WORLD
Now they had often heard certain thumping sounds coming from above, so
they knew that someone might be living there. It was decided that this must
be investigated. I will describe this briefly, for the whole story would
take much space.
Being gifted with wisdom, they created birds for this purpose. I will
name three. Two which are known for their strength and swiftness are the
kisa (hawk) and the pavowkaya (swallow) The third was a moochnee (related
to the mockingbird). His flight is awkward, but he is known to be wise. They
were each created at separate times by magic songs, tobacco smoke and prayers,
from dirt and saliva, which was covered by a white cap (ova). Each was welcomed
respectfully and given instructions for his mission, should he succeed. The
first two failed to reach the top side of the sky, but the third one, moochnee,
came through the opening into this world.
The new world was beautiful. The earth was green and in bloom. The bird
observed all his instructions. His sense of wisdom guided him to the being
he was instructed to seek. When he found him it was high noon, for the being,
Maasau'u, the Great Spirit, was preparing his noon day meal. Ears of corn
lay beside the fire. He flew down and landed on top of his kisi (shady house)
and sounded his arrival.
Maasau'u was not surprised by the visitor, for by his wisdom and sense
of smell he already knew someone was coming. Respectfully he welcomed him
and invited him to sit down. The interview was brief and to the point. "Why
are you here? Could it be important?" "Yes," said Moochnee, "I was sent here
by the underworld people. They wish to come to your land and live with you,
for their ways have become corrupted. With your permission they wish to move
here with you and start a new life. This is why I have come." Maasau'u replied
bluntly, but with respect, "They may come."
With this message the bird returned to the underworld. While he was gone
the Kikmongwi and the leaders had continued to pray and wait for his successful
return. Upon his return with the good news of the new world and Maasau'u's
permission for them to come, they were overjoyed.
Now the question was how they were to get to the top, so again they smoked
and prayed for guidance. At last they agreed to plant a tree that would grow
to the top and serve as a pathway. They planted the seed of a shalavee (spruce
tree), then they prayed and sang magic songs. The tree grew and grew until
it reached the sky, but its branches were so soft and so many that it bent
under the heavy earth pressure from the top, so it did not pierce the sky.
They planted another seed, this one to be a lougu (pine). It grew as they
sang their magic songs. This tree was stout and strong. "Surely this one
will get through," they thought. But it was unsuccessful, for its branches
also bent upon contact with the solid object. Again they planted a seed.
This time it was a pakave (reed). Since it had a pointed end it pierced the
sky up into the new world.
Meanwhile all of this had been kept secret. Only proper, righteous, and
one-hearted people were informed of the plans to leave the corrupt world.
They were prepared to move out, so as soon as they knew it was successful
they started to come up on the inside of the plant, resting between the joints
as they worked their way up to the opening.
When they got to this world, everything was beautiful and peaceful. The
land was virgin, unmolested. They were very happy. They sang and danced with
joy, but their joy was short-lived, for that night the chief's daughter died
suddenly. Everyone was sad and worried. People looked at one another
suspiciously. An evil spell had been enacted. This caused great concern that
a witch or two-hearted person might be among them.
Now the Kikmongwi had great power which he must use to settle the concern
of his people. He made a small ball out of cornmeal which he tossed up above
the group of people. The one upon whose head it landed would be the guilty
one. It landed upon the head of a girl. A quick decision was made to throw
her back through the opening into the underworld. The wickedness must be
gotten rid of, for they wished to live peacefully in this new land. But the
witch girl cried out for mercy, telling them that on their long journey they
would face many obstacles and dangers of every description, and that her
services would become useful, for she had power to fight evil. She invited
the Kikmongwi to look back down into the underworld. He looked and saw his
child playing happily with the other children in the underworld, where upon
death we will all return. She was spared, but they left her there alone,
perhaps hoping that she would perish by some unknown cause.
THE FIRST MEETING WITH THE GREAT SPIRIT IN THIS
WORLD
It was here that the Great Spirit first appeared to them on this earth,
to give them the instructions by which they were to live and travel. They
divided into groups, each with its selected leader. Before them he laid ears
of corn of various lengths. They were each instructed to pick one ear of
corn to take with them on their journey, for their subsistence and their
livelihood. One by one they greedily picked out the longest and most
perfect-looking ears until only the shortest was left. They did not realize
that this was a test of wisdom. The shortest ear was picked by the humblest
leader. Then the Great Spirit gave them their names and the languages by
which they would be recognized. The last picker of short corn was named
HOPI.
HOPI means not only to be peaceful, but to obey and have faith in the
instructions of the Great Spirit, and not to distort any of his teachings
for influence or power, or in any way to corrupt the Hopi way of life. Otherwise,
the name will be taken away.
He than gave them instructions according to which they were to migrate
for a certain purpose to the four corners of the new land, leaving many
footprints, rock writings and ruins, for in time many would forget that they
were all one, united by a single purpose in coming up through the reed.
Now that we were on top, we were each to follow our own leaders, but so
long as we did not forget the instructions of the Great Spirit we would be
able to survive. We were now bound by a vow to live by these instructions
and to complete our pattern of migration. Maasau'u told us that whoever would
be the first to find him would be the leader of those who were to follow,
then he disappeared.
AN ACT OF PROPHETIC CONSEQUENCE
We migrated for many years to every corner of this continent, marking
our claim as we travelled, as these markings clearly testify up to the present
day. On our way we stopped for rest near the great river now known as the
Colorado. We had travelled far and gained a great deal of knowledge, not
forgetting our instructions. The group leader was of the Bow Clan, a great
chief with wisdom. But it was here that this great chief disappeared into
the dark night. After putting his family to sleep he left in search of the
Earth Center, where clever, ingenious people from all nations meet to plan
the future. By some means he found the place, and was welcomed with respect.
It was a beautiful place with all manner of good things. Good food was laid
before him by most beautiful girls. It was all very tempting.
Until today we did not know the significance of this action. It had to
do with the future. By this action he caused a change to occur in the pattern
of life as we near the end of the life cycle of this world, such that many
of us would seek the materialistic world, trying to enjoy all the good things
it has to offer before destroying ourselves. Those gifted with the knowledge
of the sacred instructions will then live cautiously, for they will remember
and have faith in these instructions, and it will be on their shoulders that
the fate of the world will rest. The people will corrupt the good ways of
life, bringing about the same life as that from which we fled in the underworld.
The sacred body of the female will no longer be hidden, for the shield of
protection will be uplifted, an act of temptation toward sexual license,
which will also be enjoyed. Most of us will be lost in all the confusion.
An awareness that something extraordinary is happening will develop in most
of the people, for even their leaders will be confused into polluting themselves.
It will be difficult to decide whom to follow.
The Hopi knew all this would come about. All these aspects of today's
life pattern were planned. So today we must stand firmly on our belief in
order to survive. The only course is to follow the instructions of the Great
Spirit himself.
THE MISSION OF THE TWO BROTHERS
This Bow Clan chief had two grown sons. When they learned of their father's
misdeed they were very sad. Their knowledge of the teachings which they had
received from him was all in order. Now they were left alone to lead their
people, for the very next day their father died.
They asked their mother to permit them to carry out the order of their
instructions for an event of this nature. She replied that it was up to them,
for their knowledge was complete. Upon agreement, the younger brother was
to continue in search of Maasau'u, and to settle where he found him. There
he would await the return of this older brother, who was to travel eastward
toward the rising sun, where he would rest briefly. While resting, he must
listen for the voice of his younger brother, who would expect him to come
to his aid, for the change in the life pattern will have disrupted the way
of life of his people. Under the pressure of a new ruler they will surely
be wiped off the face of the earth unless he comes.
So today we are still standing firmly on the Great Spirit's instructions.
We will continue to look and pray toward the East for his prompt return.
The younger brother warned the elder that the land and the people would
change. "But do not let your heart be troubled," he said, "for you will find
us. Many will turn away from the life plan of Maasau'u, but a few of us who
are true to his teachings will remain in our dwellings. The ancient character
of our heads, the shape of our houses, the layout of our villages, and the
type of land upon which our village stands, and our way of life. All will
be in order, by which you will find us."
Before the first people had begun their migrations the people named Hopi
were given a set of stone tablets. Into these tablets the Great Spirit inscribed
the laws by which the Hopi were to travel and live the good way of life,
the peaceful way. They also contain a warning that the Hopi must beware,
for in time they would be influenced by wicked people to forsake the life
plan of Maasau'u. It would not be easy to stand up against this, for it would
involve many good things that would tempt many good people to forsake these
laws. The Hopi would be led into a most difficult position. The stones contain
instructions to be followed in such a case.
The older brother was to take one of the stone tablets with him to the
rising sun, and bring it back with him when he hears the desperate call for
aid. His brother will be in a state of hopelessness and despair. His people
may have forsaken the teachings, no longer respecting their elders, and even
turning upon their elders to destroy their way of life. The stone tablets
will be the final acknowledgment of their true identity and brotherhood.
Their mother is Sun Clan. They are the children of the sun.
So it must be a Hopi who travelled from here to the rising sun and is
waiting someplace. Therefore it is only the Hopi that still have this world
rotating properly, and it is the Hopi who must be purified if this world
is to be saved. No other person anyplace will accomplish this.
The older brother had to travel fast on his journey for there was not
much time, so the horse was created for him. The younger brother and his
people continued on in search of Maasau'u.
On their way they came to a land that looked fertile and warm. Here they
marked their clan symbols on the rock to claim the land. This was done by
the Fire Clan, the Spider Clan, and the Snake Clan. This place is now called
Moencopi. They did not settle there at that time.
While the people were migrating, Maasau'u was waiting for the first ones
to arrive. In those days he used to take walks near the place where he lived,
carrying a bunch of violet flowers (du-kyam-see) in his belt. One day he
lost them along the way. When he went to look for them he found that they
had been picked up by the Hornytoad Woman. When he asked her for the flowers
she refused to give them back, but instead gave him her promise that she
would help him in time of need. "I too have a metal helmet," she told him,
(possibly meaning that certain people with metal helmets would help the Hopi
when they get into difficulty).
Often Maasau'u would walk about a half mile north of his du-pa-cha ( a
type of temporary house) to a place where there lay a long rock which formed
a natural shelter, which he must have picked as the place where he and the
first people would find each other. While waiting there he would amuse himself
by playing a game to test his skill, the name of which (Nadu-won-pi-kya),
was to play an important part later on in the life of the Hopi, for it was
here that the knowledge and wisdom of the first people was to be tested.
Until recent times children used to play a similar game there, something
like "hide-and-seek." One person would hide, then signal by tapping on the
rock, which would transmit the sound in a peculiar way so that the others
could not tell exactly where the tapping was coming from. (Some years ago
this rock was destroyed by government road builders.) It was here that they
found Maasau'u waiting.
THE MEETING WITH MAASAU'U NEAR ORAIBI
Before the migrations began Maasau'u had let it be known, though perhaps
not by direct instructions, that whoever would find him first would be the
leader there. Later it became clear that this was a procedure by which their
true character would be specified.
When they found him, the people gathered and sat down with him to talk.
The first thing they wanted to know was where he lived. He replied that he
lived just north of there at a place called Oraibi. For a certain reason
he did not name it fully. The full name is Sip-Oraibi, meaning something
that has been solidified, referring to the fact that this is the place where
the earth was made solid.
They asked permission to live there with him. He did not answer directly,
for within them he saw evil. "It is up to you," he said. "I have nothing
here. My life is simple. All I have is my planting stick and my corn. If
you are willing to live as I do, and follow my instructions, the life plan
which I shall give you, you may live here with me, and take care of the land.
Then you may have a long, happy, fruitful life."
Then they asked him whether he would be their leader, thinking that thus
they would be assured a peaceful life. "No," he replied, "the one who led
you here will be the leader until you fulfill your pattern of life," (for
he saw into their hearts and knew that they still had many selfish desires).
"After that I will be the leader, but not before, for I am the first and
I shall be the last." Having left all the instructions with them, he
disappeared.
THE FOUNDING OF ORAIBI VILLAGE
The village of Oraibi was settled and built in accordance with the
instructions of the Great Spirit. The Bow Clan chief was the father of the
ceremonial order. They remained under the leadership of the Bow Clan for
some time, perhaps until corruptions set in. As you recall, the Bow Clan
chief of the past had contaminated his standing by taking part in the changing
of the life pattern.
Later the Bear Clan took over. This might have been because the bear is
strong and mighty. There may have been other reasons too, such as a prophecy
which told that a bear, sleeping somewhere in the northern part of what is
now called Europe, would awaken at a certain time where he would wait. This
group is called Bear Clan because they came across a dead bear at the place
of the shield symbol. Most of the important people claimed to be of the Bear
Clan, including the Bluebird and Spider Clan people.
The vow which we made with the Great Spirit obligated us to follow His
way of life. He gave the land to us to use and care for through our ceremonial
duties. He instructed us and showed us the road plan by which we must govern
our lives. We wrote this pattern on a rock so that we would always be reminded
to follow the straight road. The Hopi must not drift away from this road
or He will take this land away from us. This is the warning given to us by
Maasau'u.
Oraibi village was settled firmly. Migrating people were now gathering
there and asking to be admitted into the village. The Kikmongwi and the high
priests would always consider their request and base their judgment upon
their character and wisdom. Those who showed signs of boastfulness were turned
away and told to go to the south mesas where their kind of people lived.
Only good people, humble and sincere in their prayers, were admitted.
One of these groups was the Coyote Clan, They were coming from Sh-got-kee
(Si-aht-ki), close to Walpi. There were several reasons they were pointed
out as bad people, but they were clever in a way. At first they were not
allowed to join the village. But when they made their fourth request they
were accepted according to the custom, and they were admitted with the agreement
that they act as a protection, and that in time of troubles they had to support
and help the spokesman. But they were warned to be cautious. Although, the
devout never torture to the end. And that is the way we had it with all the
clans, because on the way most of us want to cheat or deceive the leaders
to get glory or fame; which leads us to the point of polluting our way and
to shake our beliefs.
The last group that was admitted to Oraibi was the Grey Eagle Clan. As
they finished their migration, they first settled in what today is called
New Mexico. Because they were people who like to make wars, and trouble makers
they were, they were chased away by the Pueblo Indians there. As they came
to this area, they settled at Mishongovi on Second Mesa, with the condition
that they would not start a quarrel or conflict. If they break this promise,
they should leave without resistance. So, they started another conflict and
they left as promised. After that they came to Oraibi and asked to be admitted
there. After several attempts they were allowed to come in under the same
promise that they had to give to the other village, that they would move
voluntarily if they started restlessness or broke their promise. In accordance
with this agreement, the leader of the Village Mishongovi would consider
re-accepting them on Second Mesa, or to send them back to New Mexico where
the Pueblo Indians could do with them what they think is right.
Later, as we were forced to leave the Village Oraibi, and we started to
settle in Hotvela, they came with us, with the same agreement. That is still
in effect today. Again they started restlessness and they are now obligated
to leave. They are the seed of all the destruction in our village. They betrayed
the Hopi Nation because they bow before the ones that come with nice words,
and through that they get benefits and advantages. For them, there are just
two ways: the way of the Great Spirit or the way of Bahanna. They are obligated
to go to Mishongovi as agreed. The people over there wait for them, but they
don't have the courage to do what they promised. And they hide themselves
cowardly behind the man-made law of Bahanna.
Among the ceremonies of each group the prayer for rain was important in
order for the crops to grow and produce an abundance of food. The people
depended on this for their livelihood. Boastful people were not admitted
so that the prayers would not be polluted.
Oraibi was now firmly established. The pattern of the religious order
was established. Cycle by cycle we paid respect to our Mother Earth, our
Father Sun, the Great Spirit, and all things through our ceremonies. We were
happy for we were united as one.
Click
here for Part Two of the Hopi Prophecy
Softcover
![[Image]](pict41.jpg)
![[Image]](pict43.jpg)