"Many years ago, we do not know how many years ago, people were living in another world, underworld, where life was good for a time but later on...they got to a place where all life was beginning to be disrupted...(They) disregarded the life of the Hopi people. The leaders..were also disregarded. People began going on their own way of doing things which brought this life to corruption. The leaders began thinking about going off to other places...they finally came to this person who was living here at this time. His name was Màasaw...there were other persons with him, the Spider Woman who keeps the fire going and two nephews, Pakonghoya and Polinghoya. The people (the Hopis) came and asked for permission, if they would be allowed to come and live, and Màasaw said he would be very glad but he said it would be up to them if they would be willing to live according to his way of life...So in this way after agreeing and making an oath that they would live this life and never abandon it at any time, they came to this land"
Andrew Hermequaftewa: Hopi Hearings, July15-30, BIA Phoenix Area Office Hopi Agency, pg 79 |
