Southwest Culture

The Southwest Culture lived in the dry, desert climate.  They were very careful with what little water they had. They had rules about the use of water. Even the very young children were taught to be careful with the water they used. There were very few animals in the desert for hunting so they became farmers. Some important Southwest Culture tribes are the Anasazi, Hopi, Pueblo, and Navajo.

 

Hopi Tribe

The Hopi tribe believed in many gods. The Hopi used Kachinas to talk to their gods. Kachinas were Hopi spirits or gods which lived within the mountains. Hopi dancers would dress like Kachinas to represent, or stand for, the gods. Wooden Kachina dolls were made to teach the children about the gods. The Hopi believed the Kachina costume gave magic power to the man who wore it.

Hopi Indians built their houses out of stone with clay plastered on the outside and inside. There were no doors or windows. The Hopi entered their homes through a hole in the ceiling with ladders. They called their homes 'adobe' homes.

The Hopi ate very little meat because there were not many animals where they lived. Mostly, the Hopi ate meals made with corn. Hopi women knew over 50 ways to cook with corn. Corn was dried on the roof of the house and then ground into a flour-like meal.

Hopi women made beautiful baskets, clay bowls, and jewelry. The men hunted, farmed, and wove cloth for blankets, clothing and belts. The men wore these belts with short skirts. The women wore them with long dresses. They wore moccasins on their feet. The children dressed like their parents.

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