The Importance Of Soyal, The Winter Solstice Ceremony

Shortly following Soyal, the winter solstice ceremony, a lunar festival begins. Powamu represents the festival in which the Hopi observe the first new moon after Soyal. The leaders observe the crescent moon that would be waning to become a New Moon. “Thus, Powamu is fixed in time by an observation of sunset to determine Soyal, a subsequent count of days for the length of the Soyal festival (and perhaps the Warrior ceremony), and then the first Full Moon and New Moon following these ceremonies lead into another day count for the Powamu festival” (McCluskey 185). The complications associated with determing the Powamu festival include many of the complications that come with a luni-solar calendar. The chief must correct for days lost or gained
Hopi remember the past and repeat special ceremonies each year. “For the Hopi all things are repeated in cycles. Hopis do not see progress and change like Westerners; for them the past is repeated in the present” (Loftin 12). This repetition for the Hopi leads to regularity in their lives. It also represents their deities well and their belief of following the past work of their gods. Hopi today struggle to perform their ceremonies as they have in the past. The loss of land that the Hopi have endured has caused change among the tribes. “As the Hopi often say, 'it is hard to be a Hopi but good to be a Hopi.'” (Loftin 5). Though the times prove to be tough for the Hopi, they remain strong and work dutifully to fulfill the wishes of their ancestors and deities. The Hopi way of life involves keeping busy and not letting themselves fall to an all too normal actuality of laziness that many live
The influence of other people invading their society has forced many traditions to lose their meaning. The language and tradition of a culture can easily be lost with the widespread influence of Westerners. It is important that the Hopi have stood close to their traditions and have done their best to keep their language, religion, and beliefs alive. People of the Western culture have plenty to learn from the Hopi. Many people living in the modern world do not encompass the Hopi ability to accomplish a task at hand and connect deeply with each other, the celestial universe, and their mother earth. These important skills set the Hopi apart and better prepare them for troubles that occur in their