Page 156 - TheHopiIndians
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148      MESA POLK OF HOPILAND

            in the afternoon in another plaza, after which the pro
            cession departs to carry offerings to a shrine outside
            the town and the drama of the Farewell kachina is
            over.
              With the coming of the different clans, each having
            some ceremony peculiar to itself, and held at a certain
            time in the year, there must have been an adjustment
            of interests to fit the ceremonies to the moons, as we
            now see in the Hopi calendar. This may explain the
            fusing of the Snake-Antelope ceremonies and the two
            Flutes, which come in August, and the assignment of
            the two groups to alternate years.  It is to be ex
            pected also that rain ceremonies would preponderate
            in the Southwest, and by mutual concessions the clans
            making up the Hopi would arrange their rites to fit
            in, the month when the rain-makers are needed. Thus,
            the women's ceremonies in September and October
            would not need to be disturbed, perhaps to the relief
            of the obscure Hopi who, like Julius Caesar, reformed
            the calendar.
              The Snake and Flute ceremonies of the Hopi are
            most widely known, since at this season of the year
            most travelers visit Tusayan, and besides, the Snake
            Dance, from it elements of horror, has overshadowed
            other ceremonies that are beautiful and interesting.
            Still, the Snake Dance is unique, and in its unfolding
            displays virile action and the compelling force of man
            over the lesser animate creation, giving to the drama a
            certain grandeur not observed in other ceremonies.
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