Autobiography Of A Hopi Indian Analysis

The Autobiography of a Hopi Indian was written by Don C. Talayesva. In this book, Don Talayesva talks about his way of life as a Hopi Indian and the hardships of his life. He also mentions the different rituals their culture has and the reasoning for all of the ceremonies. When Don is first introduced to the reader he is talking about when he was in his mother's womb. He and his family believe that Don was a twin but Don’s mother told the doctor how she only wanted one kid. The doctor understood and said that he would turn them into one child. The doctor went outside and sprinkled corn meal, which is considered to be sacred to the Hopi Indians., he also spun black and white wool and tied it around her left wrist. Even before he was born Don …show more content…
“I was taken by ceremonial father to the house of his sister Solemana to have my head washed again and to receive another name. She held the mother-corn ear before me and said, “My sweetheart, now I name you Tanackmainewa, which means the shining feathers of the Road-Runner. This name, look up to our Son god, and call it loudly to him who is your uncle.” This name did not stick like the Wowochim name, which seemed to be glued to me” (Talayesva 184). As you can see Don was not happy about his name being changed because it seemed like him and everyone else were already attached to this other name. After his name was changed everyone prepared for a feast and shower. They were made unsalted gravy and got in their costumes to the kiva. Don mentions “I had learned a great lesson and now knew that the ceremonies handed down by our fathers mean life and security, both now and hereafter” (Talayesva 186). Don talks about how much their ceremonies mean to all of them and how much it teaches them. When I read this I was surprised that Don had to change his name because his other named seemed to stick and he really liked …show more content…
This is apart of the many rituals that they have. They usually tell these stories at the end of their ceremonies or dinners as a way to lighten the mood. Not only are corn meal corn sacred in this culture but they also hunt a lot of rabbits and eat beans and squash. The Hopi Indians are very well at covering their religion and hold themselves to this and their beliefs. The prayer sticks are called pahos. Their residences are matrilocal meaning the husbands go to live with their wifes community. When a new baby is born they are presented to the Sun god in a naming ceremony. On the same day as their birth their ears are pierced. Once a baby is born the mother and father must wait forty days until they can have sexual intercourse. During this time the babies are rubbed with juniper ashes and when they cry their parents spit on their necks to get them to stop. Corn meal is thrown to help make this baby sacred and to keep them safe. In this society the women tend to make pottery and the older woman teach the little girls their roles. As Don and his friends from Oribai got older they began to misbehave which caused them to get in a lot of trouble. The giants began to threaten the boys saying that if they did not change their acts they would eat