28th Annual Student Research Conference
The Hopi Perspective of Time as Presented in the Spider Woman Creation Story
Hunter R. Wingert
Prof. Shirley McKamie and Dr. Anton Daughters, Faculty Mentors
The Hopi Native Americans have lived in the southwest United States for a millennium. They hold a view of time referred to as the eternal present. This view allows them to remain close to their point of creation and retain a strong relationship with their community, ancestors, and gods. Having a concept of time different from the linear or cyclical models is supported by the establishment of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. A study of these views in relation to Hopi culture and religion confirms that the use of the Spider Woman creation story is tremendously important to the Hopi people. The story emphasizes the importance of place and time when celebrating rituals and remembering ancestors. The Spider Woman creation story, along with many other stories and ceremonies, employs the use of kachinas and kivas, or supernatural beings and sacred places, to connect the Hopi to their gods in primal time.
Keywords: Hopi, Native Americans, Time, Linguistic Relativity, Spider Woman Chant, Creation Stories
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 211-3
Location: MG 2090
Time: 11:30