Page 111 - TheHopiIndians

MESA FOLK OP HOPILAND 103

ing sand columns, the far-off thunder-storm, the vibra
tion of the midday air, and the sparkling night sky
must inspire the most prosaic mind. There comes to
one in these surroundings a feeling of freedom, to
gether with a sense of the vastness, transparency, and
mystery of the desert which stir the emotions and
makes the close pent life of crowded cities left behind
seem but an unsubstantial dream. Here the Hopi
have been always free : the isolated life on the narrow
mesas brings about a close companionship and a true
home-life besides. The air of the desert makes a man
healthy and hungry, thus cheerfulness cannot but fol
low, expressed in songs that are from the soul.
It must be confessed that the impression of Indian
music one draws from various sources is that it con
sists of whoops, yells, and odd, guttural noises, but
this is far from describing Hopi music. Between the
light and airy Kachina songs and the stirring though
somewhat gruesome chants of the Snake ceremony,
there is a variety of compositions to many of which
the most enlightened music lovers would listen with
pleasurf.
The Flute music is especially pleasing. In the sum
mer of 1896, the writer had the good fortune to wit
ness the Flute ceremony at the Hopi pueblo of Walpi.
In the course of the ritual, which is an invocation for
rain, a series of songs are repeated each day for several
days. To one hearing Indian music for the first time