Page 227 - TheHopiIndians

MESA FOLK OF HOPILAND 219

long before Linnaeus or Cuvier. The sun is his clock,
and all nature is near to him. He must work also in
the fields if he would eat — no drones are tolerated.
In short, there is a surprising complexity in this life,
and its demands are weighty. Thus Kopeli at the
head of the most powerful and awe-inspiring society
of his people has been put to many tests and bore
upon his shoulders the weight of immemorial custom.
While there was in Kopeli a dignity which com
mands respect from the mirthful Hopi, he could on oc
casion be as entertaining as any of his tribe, and us
ually was cheerful and friendly. The exception is
when the Snake rites are in progress. Then he seemed
a different person, and it was not proper for him to
recognize his best friend.
The Walpi Snake Ceremony, of which the public
dance is known to many persons, is well worth braving
the journey to see. The grand entry of the Snake
and Antelope priests on the dance plaza headed by
Kopeli and Wiki is one of the most impressive specta
cles that can be witnessed on this continent. There
is so much energy put into the work; with strides
positively tragic, the file of strangely costumed priests
march to the kisi, where the snakes have been deposit
ed. Then commences the weird dance with live rattle
snakes held in the mouth to the distant chant of
Antelope priests. Kopeli was here at his best. He was
a notable figure; no other participant displayed such
eagerness and force. These were some of the salient