| The slightly
concave plane, or opening, that runs
down the middle of the maiden's body
represents the womb. In all phases
of Hopi culture, the perpetuation
of life is stressed. The Hopi are
a matriarchal society, where women
play the vital role of giving the
children their clan. A child’s
lineage comes from their mother. The
women also own the homes and all of
the household materials. They also
hold the seeds which are planted every
spring to grow the food as needed.
A man will come to live in his wife’s
village after marriage.
My maidens have no face which
symbolize the egalitarian society
of the Hopi. She represents "a
people" and not an individual.
The Hopi thought is: one Mind, One
Body, One Spirit.
When she is wearing a cape
or robe, or tableta, it is usually
created for her by her future husbands
male family. It is the men of Hopi
who are the weavers and artist of
the ornate headdress. The maiden may
bear a wicker basket (A flat style
basket) that represents Third Mesa,
or a thick coiled basket that represents
Second Mesa, or a piece of pottery
which represents First Mesa. She may
be adorned with corn, which is the
basic food source for the Hopi. Corn
is considered sacred and has many
uses, including ceremonial purposes.
A plentiful amount of corn represents
prosperity, as does an abundance of
jewelry.
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