Hopi - Kinship



Kin Groups and Descent. Hopi society is divided into exogamous matrilineal ranked clans, the number varying over time. Clans are associated into exogamous phratries. Clans own farmland close to the villages and claim eagle-nesting grounds away from the village where eagles are captured for ceremonial use. High-ranking clans control ceremonial and traditional political offices and are in charge of ceremonies. Clan affairs are directed by a male and female pair, the clan elder and the clan mother. The elder is responsible for directing any male activities and ceremonies controlled by the clan and for representing the clan to the village, particularly in land boundary disputes. The clan mother directs female activities and ceremonies, makes the final decision in clan land distribution, and is responsible through prayer and ritual for the well-being of clan members. Although most clans are represented in most of the villages, each clan is a corporate group only within its village. Today, the importance of clans has diminished as land ownership and political office are achieved through other means, although clans are still active in Ceremonial matters and exogamy is still the norm.

Kinship Terminology. Hopi kin terms follow the Crow system.


User Contributions:

1
KANANELO MASOETSA
I LIKE THE HOPI CULTURE. I LIKE THE FACT THAT IT CONCENTRATE ON THE MARTERNAL FAMILY INLIKE WHAT MOST CULTURES DO

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