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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.