Who are the Hopi people?

The Hopi are the westernmost group of Pueblo Indians residing in northeastern Arizona, near the Painted Desert. Their language belongs to the Northern Uto-Aztecan family. Their origin is not known, but they are believed to have descended from the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi), or Hisatsinom , meaning "Ancient People." Traditional Hopi culture values monogamy and matrilineal descent, where a husband joins his mother-in-law's household. Their economy revolves around farming, especially corn, and after Spanish colonization, sheep herding. Religious ceremonies are significant, with children initiated into the kachina tradition around age six. The Snake Dance, where performers dance with live snakes, is among the most famous Hopi rituals. Despite colonization, many traditional aspects of Hopi life, including their architecture and kachina religion, endure.

Where do the Hopi traditionally live?

The Hopi traditionally live in northeastern Arizona, on the edge of the Painted Desert. They are the westernmost group of Pueblo Indians and speak a Northern Uto-Aztecan language. The Hopi are believed to have descended from the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi), whom they call Hisatsinom, meaning "Ancient People". Archaeological evidence shows that some abandoned pueblos, like Sikyatki and Awatovi, were once inhabited by Hopi people. Oraibi is regarded as the unofficial capital of the Hopi reservation and is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States, dating back to around 1150 CE.

What language do the Hopi speak?

The Hopi people, who live in northeastern Arizona, speak the Hopi language, a North American Indian language from the Uto-Aztecan family . The Hopi language is of interest because of how concepts of time and space are expressed. For example, Hopi verbs don't have tense but are distinguished by aspect, validity, and clause-linkage. Even though there are very few individuals who speak Hopi as a first language, there are language revitalization efforts in place to try to preserve the language and increase the number of speakers.

What are some important traditions or ceremonies of the Hopi?

The Hopi, the westernmost group of Pueblo Indians residing in northeastern Arizona, have a rich tradition of ceremonies and customs deeply rooted in their animistic religious beliefs. Important traditions and ceremonies: * Kachina Tradition Initiated around six years old, boys and girls are inducted into the kachina religious tradition. Hopi kachinas represent gods, spirits, ancestors, and clouds, often impersonated by men in elaborate regalia during specific ceremonies. * Corn Ceremonies The cycle of summer corn ceremonies and continuous prayers for rain form the core of their ceremonialism. Corn was the chief crop, and the Hopi also grew beans, squash, melons, and a variety of other vegetables and fruits. The Corn Mother is a mythological figure believed to be responsible for the origin of corn. * Snake Dance The Snake Dance, held annually in late August, is a well-known ritual where performers dance with live snakes in their mouths. This is a brief public part of a longer ceremony conducted in kivas. * Soyal Men can join societies that conduct tribal initiations and stage an annual winter solstice celebration, or soyal. The soyal is very important and its leadership is entrusted to a high official, usually the town’s chief.

How do the Hopi organize their communities and families?

Hopi communities are structured around matrilineal clans, where descent is traced through the female line, influencing family and social organization. These clans are grouped into larger units called phratries, and a pueblo can include two dozen or more matrilineal clans. Traditional Hopi culture emphasizes monogamy and matrilocal residence, where a husband joins his mother-in-law’s household. This system unifies groups and creates reciprocal relationships between allied clans, providing mutual support, defense, and assistance during important events like funerals.

What challenges have the Hopi faced in recent history?

The Hopi have faced several challenges in recent history, primarily stemming from colonization and land disputes. A significant issue has been land disputes with the Navajo, where the reassignment of Hopi common lands to the Navajo, which the Hopi claim violated federal treaties, led to impoverishment. Although the U.S. Congress passed legislation in 1996 intended to resolve the dispute, the reassignment remained a point of contention into the 21st century. Despite these difficulties, the Hopi have maintained many aspects of their traditional life, including kachina religion and a strong craft tradition. They have also developed business enterprises and tourism programs to support their communities, although some are skeptical of large mining operations due to ecological and spiritual costs.

Hopi

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Pahl-Lee, Moqui, oil on panel by Elbridge Ayer Burbank, 1898; 22 × 17 cm.

Native American Hopi artists carve kachina dolls, representing spirits of ancestors. Children learn about the kachina spirits while they play with the dolls.

Quick Facts

Formerly called:: Moki or (Spanish) Moqui

Key People:: Natalie Curtis Burlin

Related Topics:: Indigenous peoples of the American Southwest; Pueblo peoples

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Hopi

people

Also known as: Moki, Moqui

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Last updated

Oct. 27, 2026 •History

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Navajo, Hopi communities hit by destructive floods after heavy rains • Oct. 23, 2026, 1:38 PM ET (The Fresno Bee)

Top Questions

Who are the Hopi people?
The Hopi are the westernmost group of Pueblo Indians residing in northeastern Arizona, near the Painted Desert. Their language belongs to the Northern Uto-Aztecan family.

Their origin is not known, but they are believed to have descended from the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi), or Hisatsinom, meaning "Ancient People." Traditional Hopi culture values monogamy and matrilineal descent, where a husband joins his mother-in-law's household. Their economy revolves around farming, especially corn, and after Spanish colonization, sheep herding.

Religious ceremonies are significant, with children initiated into the kachina tradition around age six. The Snake Dance, where performers dance with live snakes, is among the most famous Hopi rituals. Despite colonization, many traditional aspects of Hopi life, including their architecture and kachina religion, endure.
1 Britannica Source
1. Hopi
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where do the Hopi traditionally live?
The Hopi traditionally live in northeastern Arizona, on the edge of the Painted Desert. They are the westernmost group of Pueblo Indians and speak a Northern Uto-Aztecan language. The Hopi are believed to have descended from the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi), whom they call Hisatsinom, meaning "Ancient People".

Archaeological evidence shows that some abandoned pueblos, like Sikyatki and Awatovi, were once inhabited by Hopi people. Oraibi is regarded as the unofficial capital of the Hopi reservation and is thought to be the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States, dating back to around 1150 CE.
4 Britannica Sources
1. Hopi language
2. Oraibi
3. Sikyatki
4. Hopi
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What language do the Hopi speak?
The Hopi people, who live in northeastern Arizona, speak the Hopi language, a North American Indian language from the Uto-Aztecan family. The Hopi language is of interest because of how concepts of time and space are expressed. For example, Hopi verbs don't have tense but are distinguished by aspect, validity, and clause-linkage.

Even though there are very few individuals who speak Hopi as a first language, there are language revitalization efforts in place to try to preserve the language and increase the number of speakers.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some important traditions or ceremonies of the Hopi?
The Hopi, the westernmost group of Pueblo Indians residing in northeastern Arizona, have a rich tradition of ceremonies and customs deeply rooted in their animistic religious beliefs.

Important traditions and ceremonies:
* Kachina Tradition Initiated around six years old, boys and girls are inducted into the kachina religious tradition. Hopi kachinas represent gods, spirits, ancestors, and clouds, often impersonated by men in elaborate regalia during specific ceremonies.
* Corn Ceremonies The cycle of summer corn ceremonies and continuous prayers for rain form the core of their ceremonialism. Corn was the chief crop, and the Hopi also grew beans, squash, melons, and a variety of other vegetables and fruits. The Corn Mother is a mythological figure believed to be responsible for the origin of corn.
* Snake Dance The Snake Dance, held annually in late August, is a well-known ritual where performers dance with live snakes in their mouths. This is a brief public part of a longer ceremony conducted in kivas.
* Soyal Men can join societies that conduct tribal initiations and stage an annual winter solstice celebration, or soyal. The soyal is very important and its leadership is entrusted to a high official, usually the town’s chief.
4 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How do the Hopi organize their communities and families?
Hopi communities are structured around matrilineal clans, where descent is traced through the female line, influencing family and social organization. These clans are grouped into larger units called phratries, and a pueblo can include two dozen or more matrilineal clans. Traditional Hopi culture emphasizes monogamy and matrilocal residence, where a husband joins his mother-in-law’s household. This system unifies groups and creates reciprocal relationships between allied clans, providing mutual support, defense, and assistance during important events like funerals.
2 Britannica Sources
1. clan
2. Hopi
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What challenges have the Hopi faced in recent history?
The Hopi have faced several challenges in recent history, primarily stemming from colonization and land disputes. A significant issue has been land disputes with the Navajo, where the reassignment of Hopi common lands to the Navajo, which the Hopi claim violated federal treaties, led to impoverishment. Although the U.S. Congress passed legislation in 1996 intended to resolve the dispute, the reassignment remained a point of contention into the 21st century.

Despite these difficulties, the Hopi have maintained many aspects of their traditional life, including kachina religion and a strong craft tradition. They have also developed business enterprises and tourism programs to support their communities, although some are skeptical of large mining operations due to ecological and spiritual costs.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Hopi, the westernmost group of Pueblo Indians, situated in what is now northeastern Arizona, on the edge of the Painted Desert. They speak a Northern Uto-Aztecan language.

The precise origin of the Hopi is unknown, although it is thought that they and other Pueblo peoples descended from the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi), whom the Hopi call Hisatsinom, “Ancient People.” Archaeology has revealed that some abandoned pueblos, such as Sikyatki and Awatovi, were once occupied by Hopi people. Hopi origin traditions tell that their ancestors climbed upward through underground chambers called kivas and lived in many places before reaching their present settlements in this, the Fourth World.

Traditional Hopi culture emphasized monogamy and matrilineal descent. Hopi people also practiced matrilocal residence, in which a new husband becomes part of his mother-in-law’s household. A given pueblo, or town, might include two dozen or more matrilineal clans; these were grouped into several larger social units, or phratries.

Tecumseh. Battle of the Thames, Ontario, Canada, and the death of Tecumseh. Col. Richard M. Johnson with the Kentucky volunteers on left battle with Tecumseh and his Native troops. Native American Shawnee chief. North American indian. (See Notes)

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The traditional Hopi economy centred on farming and, after Spanish colonization, on herding sheep. The chief crop was corn (maize), and the Hopi also grew beans, squash, melons, and a variety of other vegetables and fruits. Men farmed and herded, in addition to building houses, performing most of the ceremonies, making moccasins, and weaving garments and blankets. Women made baskets and pottery, gardened, raised children, cared for the elderly, and were responsible for the strenuous tasks of providing their families with hand-drawn water and hand-ground cornmeal.

Hopi kachinaChöp, the antelope kachina, wood, pigment, yarn, and feathers, Native American, Hopi Pueblo, 20th century; in the Brooklyn Museum, New York. 32.4 × 15.2 × 12.1 cm.

Girls and boys began their ceremonial careers soon after reaching six years of age by being inducted into the kachina (Hopi: katsina) religious tradition. Hopi kachinas represented a wide variety of gods, spirits, departed ancestors, and clouds; during certain ceremonies they were impersonated by men in elaborate regalia. Women generally took the role of observers during the public aspects of ceremonies, except in events involving one or more of the three women’s societies. Men also had the option of joining a number of societies, including those that conducted a strenuous tribal initiation and staged an annual winter solstice celebration, or soyal. So important was the soyal that its leadership was always entrusted to a high official, usually the town’s chief.

The most widely publicized of Hopi rituals was the Snake Dance, held annually in late August, during which the performers danced with live snakes in their mouths. Although part of the Snake Dance was performed in public, visitors saw only a brief, though exciting, portion of a lengthy ceremony, most of which was conducted privately in kivas.

Some aspects of Hopi life have been considerably affected as a result of Spanish, and later American, colonization. Foremost among these are land disputes between the Hopi and the neighbouring Navajo. However, many aspects of traditional Hopi life persisted into the early 21st century. At that time, terraced pueblo structures of stone and adobe continued to dominate the architecture of a number of independent Hopi towns. Kachina religion remained vibrant, and a strong craft tradition persisted in Hopi communities.

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Early 21st-century population estimates indicated more than 15,000 individuals of Hopi descent.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Sheetz.

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