Page 180 - TheHopiIndians

172 MESA FOLK OF HOPILAND

during the Soyaluna or Winter Solstice ceremony.
At present figurines of the domestic animals are also
offered for the same purpose. Perhaps we have here
a step toward the domestication of animals which was
carried out with the turkey, parrot, and dog. In any
case, however, there is shown the veneration of the
Hopi for the birds of the air and especially the eagle,
which is honored in the symbols of so many peoples.
Among the sacred animals of the Hopi the turkey is
of great importance. In accord with the belief that
the markings on the tail feathers were caused by the
foam and slime of an ancient deluge, the feathers are
prescribed for all pahos ; since through their mythical
association with water they have great power in bring
ing rain. The Spanish Conquerors of the sixteenth
century when they visited the pueblos spoke of ' ' cocks
with great hanging chins" they saw there, and this is
the first notice of the bird for which the world is in
debted to America. In the villages turkeys roam
around without restraint and become household pets.
Sometimes also they dispute the entrance of a village
by a stranger and put him to a great deal of annoy
ance by their attacks, which are usually in the nature
of a surprise from the rear. At present the Hopi
keep them for their feathers, which are plucked as oc
casion requires, so that the village turkey commonly
has a ragged appearance.
There were ceremonial antelope hunts before cattle
and horses destroyed the grass on the ranges and while