Hopi
Climate
The Southwest region receives only a small amount of rain, so the area is very dry. Most of the water flows in rivers fed by melting snow in the mountains.
Environment
A large portion of the region is low, flat desert with some high plateaus. There are very few trees because the area is too dry.
Food
The Hopi Indians were farmers who grew beans, squash, and corn. Corn was the staple for the Hopi, part of every meal.
staple - main crop that is used for food
The Hopi grew enough corn for the year and kept it in storage rooms in their pueblos.
Adapting to their environment
The lack of rain made agriculture difficult.
The Hopi used irrigation to supply water to crops. They dug long narrow ditches fromthe rivers to the thier fields, so water would flow from the stream to the crops.
irrigation - a way of supplying water to crops with streams,ditches, or pipes
They planted corn deep in the ground so the roots with absorb more moisture.
They planted crops in the lower areas that flooded during spring rains.
The Hopi made containers to carry food and water. They dug clay and shaped into pots then heated the clay in the fire. They were the first people to fire their pottery with coal, which burns hotter than wood. This made their pottery harder and stronger.
Shelter
The dry climate meant few trees. To build their homes the Hopi used sticks, stones, and a clay called adobe.
They built their homes on top of mesas - small plateaus with steep sides and flat tops
Known as Pueblo Indians. Pueblo means "town" in Spanish. The Spanish explorers thought their homes looked like towns.
Ceremonies and Beliefs
The Hopi were very religious. They believed they were the caretakers of the land and they had to keep the land healthy. If the land was healthy, they would have good harvests and enough rainfall.
To take care of the land they prayed and had ceremonies.
ceremony - special event at which people gather to express important beliefs
Bean Dance Ceremony -Hopi ceremony where they danced and prayed for a good harvest
Hopi carved Kachinas -religious symbols that represent the spirits.
Kachinas were used to teach children about the ancient spirits of the tribe.
The Southwest region receives only a small amount of rain, so the area is very dry. Most of the water flows in rivers fed by melting snow in the mountains.
Environment
A large portion of the region is low, flat desert with some high plateaus. There are very few trees because the area is too dry.
Food
The Hopi Indians were farmers who grew beans, squash, and corn. Corn was the staple for the Hopi, part of every meal.
staple - main crop that is used for food
The Hopi grew enough corn for the year and kept it in storage rooms in their pueblos.
Adapting to their environment
The lack of rain made agriculture difficult.
The Hopi used irrigation to supply water to crops. They dug long narrow ditches fromthe rivers to the thier fields, so water would flow from the stream to the crops.
irrigation - a way of supplying water to crops with streams,ditches, or pipes
They planted corn deep in the ground so the roots with absorb more moisture.
They planted crops in the lower areas that flooded during spring rains.
The Hopi made containers to carry food and water. They dug clay and shaped into pots then heated the clay in the fire. They were the first people to fire their pottery with coal, which burns hotter than wood. This made their pottery harder and stronger.
Shelter
The dry climate meant few trees. To build their homes the Hopi used sticks, stones, and a clay called adobe.
They built their homes on top of mesas - small plateaus with steep sides and flat tops
Known as Pueblo Indians. Pueblo means "town" in Spanish. The Spanish explorers thought their homes looked like towns.
Ceremonies and Beliefs
The Hopi were very religious. They believed they were the caretakers of the land and they had to keep the land healthy. If the land was healthy, they would have good harvests and enough rainfall.
To take care of the land they prayed and had ceremonies.
ceremony - special event at which people gather to express important beliefs
Bean Dance Ceremony -Hopi ceremony where they danced and prayed for a good harvest
Hopi carved Kachinas -religious symbols that represent the spirits.
Kachinas were used to teach children about the ancient spirits of the tribe.