The Winter Solstice Altars At Hano Pueblo Part 1

The Winter Solstice Altars at Hano Pueblo.

by J. Walter Fewkes.

INTRODUCTION

The fetishes displayed in their kivas by different phratries during the Winter Solstice ceremony at the Hopi pueblo of Walpi, in northeastern Arizona, have been described in a previous article,[1] in which the altar made in the _Monkiva_, or "chief" ceremonial chamber, by the _Patki_ and related people has been given special attention.

The author had hoped in 1898[2] to supplement this description by an exhaustive study of the Winter Solstice ceremonies of all the families of the East Mesa, but was prevented from so doing by the breaking out of an epidemic. This study was begun with fair results, and before withdrawing from the kivas he was able to make a few observations on certain altars at Hano which had escaped him in the preceding year.

Walpi, commonly called by the natives _Hopiki_, "Hopi pueblo," began its history as a settlement of Snake clans which had united with the Bear phratry. From time to time this settlement grew in size by the addition of the _Ala_, _Pakab_, _Patki_, and other phratries of lesser importance. Among important increments in modern times may be mentioned several clans of Tanoan ancestry, as the _Asa_, _Honani_, and the like. These have all been a.s.similated, having lost their ident.i.ty as distinct peoples and become an integral part of the population of Walpi, or of its colony, Sitcomovi.[3] Among the most recent arrivals in Tusayan was another group of Tanoan clans which will be considered in this article. The last mentioned are now domiciled in a pueblo of their own called Hano; they have not yet, as the others, lost their language nor been merged into the Hopi people, but still preserve intact many of their ancient customs.

The present relations of Hano to Walpi are in some respects not unlike those which have existed in the past between incoming clans and Walpi as each new colony entered the Tusayan territory. Thus, after the _Patki_ people settled at the pueblo called Pakatcomo,[4] within sight of Old Walpi, they lived there for some time, observing their own rites and possibly speaking a different language much as the people of Hano do today. In the course of time, however, the population of the _Patki_ pueblo was united with the preepre Walpi families, Pakatcomo was abandoned, and its speech and ritual merged into those of Walpi.

Could we have studied the _Patki_ people when they lived at their former homes, Pakatcomo or h.o.m.olobi, we would be able to arrive at more exact ideas of their peculiar rites and altars than is now possible. Hano has never been absorbed by Walpi as the _Patki_ pueblos were, and the altars herein described still preserve their true Tanoan characteristics. These altars are interesting because made in a Tanoan pueblo by Tewa clans which are intrusive in the Hopi country, and are especially instructive because it is held by their priests that like altars are or were made in midwinter rites by their kindred now dwelling along the Rio Grande in New Mexico.

The midwinter rite in which the altars are employed is called _Tuntai_ by the Tewa, who likewise designate it by the Hopi name _Soyaluna_.

This latter term may be regarded as a general one applied to the a.s.semblages of different families in all the kivas of the East Mesa at that time. The name of the Tewa rite is a special one, and possibly the other families who a.s.semble at this time once had or still retain their own names for their celebrations. The _Tuntai_ altars were brought by the ancestors of the present people of Hano from their old eastern home, and the rites about them are distinctly Tewan, although celebrated at the same time as the Winter Solstice ceremonies of the Hopi families.

CLAN COMPOSITION OF HANO

The pueblo called Hano is one of three villages on the East Mesa of Tusayan and contained, according to the writer's census of 1893, a population of 163 persons. It was settled between the years 1700 and 1710 by people from Tcewadi, a pueblo situated near Pena Blanca on the Rio Grande in New Mexico. Although only six persons of pure Tanoan ancestry are now living at Hano, the inhabitants still speak the Tewa dialect and claim as kindred the peoples of San Juan, Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Pojoaque, Nambe, and Tesuque.[5] The best traditionists declare that their ancestors were invited to leave their old home, Tcewadi, by the Snake chief of Walpi, who was then pueblo chief of that village. They claim that they made their long journey to give aid against the Ute Indians who were raiding the Hopi, and that they responded after four consecutive invitations. The Walpi Snake chief sent them an emba.s.sy bearing prayer-sticks as offerings, and although they had refused three invitations they accepted the fourth.

According to traditions the following clans have lived in Hano, but it is not stated that all went to the East Mesa together from Tcewadi: _Okuwun_, Rain-cloud; _Sa_, Tobacco; _Kolon_, Corn; _Tenyuk_, Pine; _Katcina_, Katcina; _Nan_, Sand; _Kopeeli_, Pink Sh.e.l.l; _Koyanwi_, Turquoise; _Kapolo_, Crane; _Tun_, Sun; _Ke_, Bear; _Te_, Cottonwood; _Tayek_ (?); _Pe_, Firewood; and _Tceta_, Bivalve sh.e.l.l.

The early chiefs whose names have been obtained are Mapibi of the _Nan-towa_, Potan of the _Ke-towa_, and Talekwen and Kepo of the _Kolon-towa_. The present village chief is Anote of the _Sa-towa_ or Tobacco clan.[6]

Of the original clans which at some time have been with the Hano people, the following have now become extinct: _Kopeeli_, _Koyanwi_, _Kapolo_, _Tun_, _Tayek_, _Pe_,[7] and _Tceta_. The last member of the _Tun_ or Sun people was old chief Kalacai who died about four years ago. It is quite probable that several of these extinct clans did not start from Tcewadi with the others. There were several waves of Tanoan emigrants from the Rio Grande region which went to Tusayan about the same time, among which may be mentioned the _Asa_, which took a more southerly route, via Zuni. The route of the _Asa_ people will be considered in another article, and the evidences that some of the _Asa_ clans joined their kindred on their advent into Tusayan will be developed later. Probably certain members of the _Katcina_ clan accompanied the _Asa_ people as far as the Awatobi mesa and then affiliated with the early Hano clans.[8]

The census of Hano in December, 1898, was as follows:

_Clans_ _Males_ _Females_ _Total_ Okuwun 12 8 20 Sa 8 5 13 Kolon 11 12 23 Tenyuk 12 16 28 Ke 5 10 15 Katcina 8 9 17 Te 5 4 9 Nan 4 7 11 ---- Total native to Hano domiciled at home 136

The above enumeration of Hano population does not include Walpi and Sitcomovi men married to Hano women (23), nor Tewa men living in the neighboring pueblos (15).[9] Adding these, the population is increased to 174, which may be called the actual enumeration at the close of 1898. Subsequent mortality due to smallpox and whooping-cough will reduce the number below 160.

In the following lists there are arranged, under their respective clans, the names of all the known inhabitants of Hano. There have been several deaths since the lists were made (December 1, 1898), and several births which also are not included. It will be noted that the majority have Tanoan names, but there are several with names of Hopi origin, for in these latter instances I was unable to obtain any other.[10]

_Census of Hano by Clans_

_Okuwun-towa_, or Rain-cloud clan.--Men and boys: Kalakwai, Kala, Tcua, Wiwela, Kahe, Yane, Solo, Yunci, Pade, Klee, Kochayna, Kee (12).

Women and girls: Sikyumka, Kwentce, Talitsche, Yoyowaiolo, Pobitcanwu, Yoanuche, Asou, Tawamana (8). Total, 20.

_Sa-towa_, or Tobacco clan.--Men and boys: Anote, Asena, Tem[)e], Ipwantiwa, Howila, Nuci, Yauma, Satee (8). Women and girls: Okan, Heli, Kotu, Kwan, Mota (5). Total, 13.

_Kolon-towa_, or Corn clan.--Men and boys: Polakka, Patuntupi, Akontcowu, Komaletiwa, Agaiyo, Tcid[)e], Oba, Toto, Peke, Kelo, Tasce (11). Women and girls: Kotcaka, Talikwia, Nampio, Kwentcowu, Heele, Pele, Kontce, Koompipi, Chaiwu, Kweckatcanwu, Awatcomwu, Antce (12).

Total, 23.

_Tenyuk-towa_, or Pine clan.--Men and boys: Tawa, Nato, Wako, Paoba, Topi, Yota, Pobinelli, Yeva, Tane, Lelo, Sennele, Poctce (12). Women and girls: Tonlo, Hokona, Kode(?), Sakpede, Nebenne, Tabowuqti, Poh[ve], Saliko, Eye, Porkun, Pehta, Hekpobi, Setale, Naici, Katcine, Tcenlapobi (16). Total, 28.

_Ke-towa_, or Bear clan.--Men and boys: Mepi, Tae, Tcakwaina, Poliella, Tegi (5). Women and girls: Kaun, Kalaie, Pene, Tcetcun, Kala, Katcinmana, Selapi, Tolo, Pokona, Kode (10). Total 15. Tcaper ("Tom Sawyer") may be enrolled in this or the preceding family. He is a Paiute, without kin in Hano, and was sold when a boy as a slave by his father. His sisters were sold to the Navaho at the same time.

Tcaper became the property of an Oraibi, later of a Tewa man, now dead, and so far as can be learned is the only Paiute now living at Hano.

_Katcina-towa._--Men and boys: Kwevehoya, Taci, Avaiyo, Poya, Oyi, Wehe, Sibentima, Tawahonima (8). Women and girls: Okotce, Kwenka, Awe, Penaiyo, Pen, Pon, Tcao, Poschauwu, Sawiyu (9). Total, 17.

_Te-towa_, or Cottonwood clan. Men and boys: Sania, Kuyapi, Okuapin, Ponyin, Pebihoya (5). Women and girls: Yunne, Pob.i.t.c.he, Poitzun, Kalazan (4). Total, 9.

_Nan-towa_, or Sand clan.--Men and boys: Punsauwi, Pocine, Talumtiwa, Cia (4). Women and girls: Pocilipobi, Talabensi, Humhebuima, Kae, Avatca, "Nancy," Simana (7). Total, 11.

The present families in Hano are so distributed that the oldest part of the pueblo is situated at the head of the trail east of the _Monkiva_. This is still owned and inhabited by the _Sa_, _Kolon_, and _Ke_ clans, all of which probably came from Tcewadi. The _Katcina_ and related _Tenyuk_, as well as the _Okuwun_ and related _Nan_ clans, are said, by some traditions, to have joined the Tewa colonists after they reached the Hopi mesas, and the position of their houses in respect to the main house-cl.u.s.ter favors that theory. Other traditions say that the first pueblo chief of the Tewa was chief of the _Nan-towa_. Too much faith should not be put in this statement, notwithstanding the chief of the _Tewakiva_ belongs to the _Nan-towa_. It seems more probable that the _Ke_ or Bear clan was the leading one in early times, and that its chief was also _kimonwi_ or governor of the first settlement at the foot of the mesa.

TEWA LEGENDS

According to one authority (Kalakwai) the route of migration of the Hano clans from their ancient home, Tcewadi, led them first to Jemesi (Jemez), where they rested a year. From Jemesi they went to Orpinpo or Pawikpa ("Duck water"). Thence they proceeded to Kepo, or Bear spring, the present Fort Wingate, and from this place they continued to the site of Fort Defiance, thence to Wukopakabi or Pueblo Ganado.

Continuing their migration they entered Punci, or Keam's canyon, and traversing its entire length, arrived at Isba, or Coyote spring, near the present trail of the East Mesa, where they built their pueblo.

This settlement (Kohti) was along the foot-hills to the left of the spring, near a large yellow rock or cliff called Sikyaowatcomo ("Yellow-rock mound"). There they lived for some time, as the debris and ground-plan of their building attest. Their pueblo was a large one, and it was conveniently near a spring called Unba, now filled up, and Isba, still used by the Hano people.

Shortly after their arrival Ute warriors made a new foray on the Hopi pueblos, and swarmed into the valley north of Wala,[11] capturing many sheep which they drove to the hills north of the mesa.[12] The Tewa attacked them at that place, and the Ute warriors killed all the sheep which they had captured, making a protecting rampart of their carca.s.ses. On this account the place is now called Sikwitukwi ("Meat pinnacle"). The Tewa killed all but two of their opponents who were taken captives and sent home with the message that the Bears had come, and if any of their tribe ever returned as hostiles they would all be killed. From that time Ute invasions ceased.

According to another good authority in Tewa lore, the _Asa_ people left "Kaekibi," near Abiquiu, in northern New Mexico, about the time the other Tewa left Tcewadi They traveled together rapidly for some time, but separated at Laguna, the _Asa_ taking the southern route, via Zuni. The Tewa clans arrived first (?) at Tusayan and waited for the _Asa_ in the sand-hills near Isba. Both groups, according to this authority, took part in the Ute fight at Sikwitukwi, and when they returned the village chief of Walpi gave the _Asa_ people for their habitation that portion of the mesa top northeast of the _Tewakiva_, while the present site of Hano was a.s.signed to the Tewa clans. During a famine the _Asa_ moved to Tubka (Canyon Tsegi, or "Ch.e.l.ly"), where they planted the peach trees that are still to be seen. The ruined walls east of Hano are a remnant of the pueblo abandoned by them. The _Asa_ intermarried with the Navaho and lost their language. When they returned to the East Mesa the Hopi a.s.signed to them for their houses that part of Walpi at the head of the stairway trail on condition that they would defend it.[13]

In view of the tenacity with which the women of Hano have clung to their language, even when married to Hopi men, it seems strange that the _Asa_ lost their native dialect during the short time they lived in Tsegi canyon; but the _Asa_ men may have married Navaho women, and the Tanoan tongues become lost in that way, the _Asa_ women being in the minority. There is such uniformity in all the legends that the _Asa_ were Tanoan people, that we can hardly doubt their truth, whatever explanation may be given of how the _Asa_ lost their former idiom.

In 1782 Morfi described Hano,[14] under the name "Tanos," as a pueblo of one hundred and ten families, with a central plaza and streets. He noted the difference of idiom between it and Walpi. If Morfi's census be correct, the pueblo has diminished in population since his time.

Since 1782 Hano has probably never been deserted, although its population has several times been considerably reduced by epidemics.

In return for their aid in driving the Ute warriors from the country, the Hopi chief gave the Tewa all the land in the two valleys on each side of the mesa, north and east of a line drawn at right angles to _Wala_, the Gap. This line of demarcation is recognized by the Tewa, although some of them claim that the Hopi have land-holdings in their territory. The line of division is carefully observed in the building of new houses in the foot-hills, for the Hopi families build west of the line, the Tewa people east of it.

DIFFERENCES IN SOCIAL CUSTOMS

A casual visitor to the East Mesa would not notice any difference between the people of Hano and those of Walpi, and in fact many Walpi men have married Tanoan women and live in their village. The difference of idiom, however, is immediately noticeable, and seems destined to persist. Almost every inhabitant of Hano speaks Hopi, but no Hopi speaks or understands Tewa. While there are Tewa men from Hano in several of the Hopi villages, where they have families, no Tewa woman lives in Walpi. This is of course due to the fact that the matriarchal system exists, and that a girl on marrying lives with her mother or with her clan, while a newly married man goes to the home of his wife's clan to live.

There are differences in marriage and mortuary customs, in the way the women wear their hair,[15] and in other minor matters, but at present the great difference between the Hopi and the Tewa is in their religious ceremonials, which, next to language, are the most persistent features of their tribal life. Hano has a very limited ritual; it celebrates in August a peculiar rite known as _Sumykoli_, or the sun prayer-stick making, as well as the _Tuntai_ midwinter ceremony, the altars of which are described herein. There are also many _Katcina_ dances which are not different from those performed at Walpi. One group of clown priests, called _Paiakyamu_, is characteristic of Hano. Compared with the elaborate ritual of the Hopi pueblo, that of Hano is poor; but Tewa men are members of most of the religious societies of Walpi, and some of the women take part in the basket dance (_Lalakonti_) and _Mamzrauti_, in that village.

The following Tewa names for months are current at Hano:

January, _Elo-p'o_, "Wooden-cup moon"; refers to the cups, made of wood, used by the _Tcukuwympkiyas_ in a ceremonial game.

February, _Kauton-p'o_, "Singing moon."

March, _Yopobi-p'o_, "Cactus-flower moon." The element _pobi_[16] which is so often used in proper names among the Tewa, means flower.

April, _Punka-p'o_, "Windbreak moon."

May, _Senko-p'o_, "To-plant-secretly moon." This refers to the planting of sweet corn in nooks and crevices, where children may not see it, for the _Niman-katcina_.