Hopi-Tewa facts for kids
The Hopi-Tewa (also known as Tano or Arizona Tewa) are a Tewa Pueblo group. They live on the eastern part of the Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona. Specifically, they are found on or near First Mesa.
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Who Are the Hopi-Tewa?
The Hopi-Tewa people are known by several names. The name Tano comes from the Spanish word for their own name, tʰáánu tééwa. You might see Tano in old books when people talk about the ancestors of the Arizona Tewa. These ancestors lived in other areas before moving to the Hopi lands.
Another name, Hano, comes from the Hopi language. It was later changed to sound more English. Hano also refers to Tewa Village, which is a main settlement for the Arizona Tewa. Some other historical names for them include Tamos and Thanos. Today, the people prefer to be called Tewa. This is because their language refers to themselves as "Tewas."
A Look at Hopi-Tewa History
The Hopi-Tewa people are connected to other Tewa communities. These communities live in the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico. Examples include Santa Clara Pueblo and Ohkay Owingeh.
Living near the Hopi people for a long time has made the Hopi-Tewa similar to them in some ways. For example, their family systems and how they organize into clans are almost the same as the Hopi. Other Tewa groups do not have clans. However, the Tewa people have kept their traditional dual moiety system. This means their society is divided into two main halves.
Hopi-Tewa Language Skills
Many Hopi-Tewa people can speak three languages: Tewa, Hopi, and English. Some also speak Spanish or Navajo. The Hopi-Tewa language is a type of Tewa language. It belongs to the Tanoan language family. Even though the Hopi language is very different (it's from the Uto-Aztecan family), it has influenced Hopi-Tewa.
It's interesting that the Hopi language has not changed the Hopi-Tewa language much, especially its words. Even though Hopi-Tewa speakers know three languages, they keep them separate. They try not to mix words from one language into another. This is similar to how other Tewa communities in New Mexico avoided borrowing many words from Spanish, even after long contact.
Historically, Hopi-Tewa people often worked as translators for Hopi leaders. Because of this, they also learned Spanish and Navajo. Most Hopi people, however, generally do not speak Tewa.
Notable Hopi-Tewa Individuals
- Nakotah LaRance, a talented hoop dancer.
- Nampeyo, a famous potter.
- Fannie Nampeyo, a potter and daughter of Nampeyo.
- Elva Nampeyo, a potter and granddaughter of Nampeyo.
- Priscilla Namingha Nampeyo, a potter and great-granddaughter of Nampeyo.
- Joy Navasie, also known as the second Frog Woman, a potter.
- Dextra Quotskuyva, a potter and great-granddaughter of Nampeyo.
- Neil David Sr, an artist known for carving katsina figures.
