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Snake Dance

Snake Dance. By: C Stettler. Origin .

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Snake Dance

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  1. Snake Dance By: C Stettler

  2. Origin • The origin of the snake dance comes from the earliest forms of life from the Hopi tribe. Scholars think the dance was originally a water ceremony because snakes were the guardian of the springs. Today the dance is a rain ceremony because the Hopi rely on the snakes to carry their prayers for rain to the underworld.

  3. Sections • The snake dance is done in different parts over a 16 day period. My power point will be split up into sections to tell each section of the snake dance.

  4. Last 9 days • Preparations start during the last nine days. Pahos or prayer sticks are made. Sand paintings are designed and the altar is built around the sand painting. • The prayer sticks are short, the length of a man’s middle finger, with faces painted on them. • The sand painting is made with a lot of colored sand. The border colors of red, white, green and yellow represent north, south, east, and west. Zigzag designs represent lighting.

  5. Last 9 days continued • Kisi or shrine is built to hold the snakes. Four sticks are put into the ground and tied together to form a cone. One side is open and covered with a piece of animal skin. A hole is dug in front of this opening and a board laid over top. This is the entrance to the underworld where the spirits and Hopi ancestors live.

  6. Last 4 days • The snake priests leave the villages to gather snake for the snake dance. The priests take digging sticks to dig the snakes out of the holes. Young boys are taken along and handle the snakes.

  7. Last 2 days On the last 2 days the Hopi tribe has foot races over plains to a mesa. The race starts before sunlight so the racers can make it to the mesas by sunlight. This represents rain gods bringing water to their village.

  8. The Last Day • This is the day that the snake dance happens. • First the snakes are washed in a large jar filled with water and herbs. Then the snake thrown into a clean bed of sand. Then the snakes are put into a clean bag and carried to the plaza. Next each snake priest reaches into the bag. First the priest carries the snake in their hands then in the mouth. Then when the dance is over the put mash into the middle of the plaza and then the priest goes after the snake before they go into the crowds.

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