David Monongye facts for kids
David Monongye was an important leader of the Hopi people. The Hopi are a Native American tribe. He was a "Kikmongwi," which is like a village chief, in Hotevilla. His father, Yukiuma, helped start the village of Hotevilla in 1906. Yukiuma also protected important Fire Clan records.
David Monongye was one of four special Hopi elders. In 1946, after the first atomic bombs were used, they decided to share ancient Hopi wisdom. This included important Hopi predictions about the future. They wanted to share these teachings with everyone.
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A Long and Important Life
David Monongye lived a very long life. We are not sure exactly when he was born. He was alive in 1906 when the village of Oraibi split into two. He lived until at least 1987, and was at least 117 years old.
Sharing Hopi Wisdom
In 1972, David Monongye and three other Hopi elders took part in a big meeting. This was the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. It was a meeting about protecting our planet.
Monongye also helped write special newsletters called Techqua Ikachi. These newsletters shared traditional Hopi ideas. They were published from 1975 to 1986.
His ideas also helped inspire a famous movie. This was the 1982 film, Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance. The movie showed how modern life can be out of balance with nature.
Protecting Hopi Land
David Monongye spoke out strongly about problems caused by coal mining. This mining was happening on Hopi land. He was worried about its effects on the land and his people.
Family and Home
David Monongye was part of the Hopi Snake Clan. He was married to Nora, and they had many children. They lived on the Third Mesa of the Hopi Reservation. Their village, Hotevilla, was known as a "traditional" village. This meant its people wanted to keep their old ways. They resisted control from the American government.
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