Soyal facts for kids

Soyal is a special winter celebration for the Zuni and Hopi peoples. It happens on December 21st, which is the shortest day of the year. During Soyal, people believe they help bring the sun back after its long "sleep." It also marks the start of a new year's cycle and is a time for cleansing or making things pure.

Soyal Ceremony: Welcoming the Sun

Soyal is an important event for the Zuni and Hopi tribes. It takes place during the winter solstice, the day with the least amount of daylight. This ceremony is a way to honor the sun and prepare for the coming year.

What is Soyal?

The Soyal ceremony is held every year on December 21st. This date is known as the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. For the Zuni and Hopi people, Soyal is a time to welcome the sun back. They believe the sun has been sleeping, and the ceremony helps it return. It also marks the start of a new cycle in their traditional calendar. People also use this time for purification, which means making themselves and their community clean and pure.

Preparing for Soyal

Before the Soyal ceremony begins, people make special items. One important item is called a pahos, which are prayer sticks. These sticks are made to bless the entire community. This includes blessing homes, animals, and even plants.

Another important preparation involves underground rooms called kivas. These kivas are sacred places for the Zuni and Hopi people. During Soyal, these kivas are ritually opened. This opening marks the official start of the Kachina season. Kachinas are spiritual beings important to these cultures.

The Ceremony Itself

As the Soyal ceremony approaches, tribe members exchange small gifts. These gifts are often made from feathers tied with cotton or other fibers. When night falls, these gifts are brought to a kiva. The kiva is then decorated for the celebration.

During the ceremony, many activities take place. People perform traditional dances and offer prayers to their gods. They also play music and give offerings. A very important part of the celebration is a symbolic dance. This dance shows a struggle between darkness and light. It ends with the sun god winning, which represents the triumph of light.

Symbols of Soyal

Two important symbols are often seen during Soyal. One is an image of a plumed snake. The other is a traditional shield. The shield represents the sun, showing its power and importance. The plumed snake stands for dark forces. These forces are believed to want to "swallow" or overcome the sun. During the ceremony, people make offerings to the snake. This is done to calm the snake so it does not harm the sun god.