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Experience Hopi culture and traditions via the reservation

Sunset near Hopi. Much of the Hopi Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona has traditionally been closed to outsiders. But a recently opened hotel and a new arts trail signal a new openness in what is among the most intact and traditional of Native American cultures.
Sunset near Hopi. Much of the Hopi Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona has traditionally been closed to outsiders. But a recently opened hotel and a new arts trail signal a new openness in what is among the most intact and traditional of Native American cultures.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
The Hopi village of Walpi, perched atop a 300-foot-tall mesa in northeastern Arizona, has been occupied by the Hopis since around 1100. The last full-time residents moved out last year, but families maintain homes for the frequent ceremonies that take place there.
The Hopi village of Walpi, perched atop a 300-foot-tall mesa in northeastern Arizona, has been occupied by the Hopis since around 1100. The last full-time residents moved out last year, but families maintain homes for the frequent ceremonies that take place there.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Tours of Walpi village have been conducted for decades, but visitors must be accompanied by a guide. Photography is restricted, as it is on most of the reservation.
Tours of Walpi village have been conducted for decades, but visitors must be accompanied by a guide. Photography is restricted, as it is on most of the reservation.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Georgia Koopee, left, and Ida Susunkewa, shuck corn in Sichomovi village on First Mesa. They?ll use the husks to make somoviki, sweet blue corn tamales wrapped in corn husks.
Georgia Koopee, left, and Ida Susunkewa, shuck corn in Sichomovi village on First Mesa. They?ll use the husks to make somoviki, sweet blue corn tamales wrapped in corn husks.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Husked corn in colorful hues is ready for grinding.
Husked corn in colorful hues is ready for grinding.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
A scene from Blue Canyon, one of Hopi?'s remote and hidden gems.
A scene from Blue Canyon, one of Hopi?'s remote and hidden gems.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
The topography of Blue Canyon includes ?water caves,? carved from sandstone.
The topography of Blue Canyon includes ?water caves,? carved from sandstone.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Micah Loma'omvaya, a Hopi tour guide, in Blue Canyon. ?"We?'ve engaged visitors since the railroad came in,?" he says. ?"Hopis try to be the best hosts we can be. But we also expect visitors to respect our traditions."?
Micah Loma'omvaya, a Hopi tour guide, in Blue Canyon. ?"We?'ve engaged visitors since the railroad came in,?" he says. ?"Hopis try to be the best hosts we can be. But we also expect visitors to respect our traditions."?
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Carved by the Moenkopi Wash, Blue Canyon sports a sculptural landscape of alternating layers of sandstone, mudstone and other rock.
Carved by the Moenkopi Wash, Blue Canyon sports a sculptural landscape of alternating layers of sandstone, mudstone and other rock.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
A riparian wetland with cottonwood trees, willows and rushes provides an oasis in Blue Canyon.
A riparian wetland with cottonwood trees, willows and rushes provides an oasis in Blue Canyon.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Wall remnants are all that?'s left of a late 1800s trading post built in Blue Canyon.
Wall remnants are all that?'s left of a late 1800s trading post built in Blue Canyon.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
A vintage 1950s-era sign sits in the White Bear Gallery in the village of Kykotsmovi on Third Mesa.
A vintage 1950s-era sign sits in the White Bear Gallery in the village of Kykotsmovi on Third Mesa.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Kachinas, or katsinas, which are carved representations of Hopi ancestor spirits, hang on the wall of a gallery.
Kachinas, or katsinas, which are carved representations of Hopi ancestor spirits, hang on the wall of a gallery.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Rachel Sahmie of Polacca, a village on Hopi First Mesa, polishes a pot in her home studio. She is descended from the renowned artist Nampeyo, whose work in the late 1800s and early 1900s sparked a revival in traditional Hopi pottery designs.
Rachel Sahmie of Polacca, a village on Hopi First Mesa, polishes a pot in her home studio. She is descended from the renowned artist Nampeyo, whose work in the late 1800s and early 1900s sparked a revival in traditional Hopi pottery designs.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
A finished pot by Rachel Sahmie. She sells only from her home studio and from a family dwelling on the road to Walpi that?'s marked by a sign that simply reads, ?Traditional Pottery.? "?If people want my pottery, they have to come to Hopi,"? she says.
A finished pot by Rachel Sahmie. She sells only from her home studio and from a family dwelling on the road to Walpi that?'s marked by a sign that simply reads, ?Traditional Pottery.? "?If people want my pottery, they have to come to Hopi,"? she says.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Like her forebears, Sahmie gathers natural plants to make her dyes and paints the designs with a yucca needle. She digs the clay herself and fires the pots the traditional way using hot coals and sheep manure.
Like her forebears, Sahmie gathers natural plants to make her dyes and paints the designs with a yucca needle. She digs the clay herself and fires the pots the traditional way using hot coals and sheep manure.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
In the Hopi village of Oraibi, Randall Nutumya, sells wooden rainmakers that are used in some Hopi ceremonies.
In the Hopi village of Oraibi, Randall Nutumya, sells wooden rainmakers that are used in some Hopi ceremonies.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
The Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites at the western edge of the Hopi Reservation opened in 2010. It?'s only the second lodging on the reservation and the first new one in half a century.
The Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites at the western edge of the Hopi Reservation opened in 2010. It?'s only the second lodging on the reservation and the first new one in half a century.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
A katsina carving for sale at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites.
A katsina carving for sale at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
A katsina-decorated screen in a hotel meeting room.
A katsina-decorated screen in a hotel meeting room.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
Traditional Hopi building components, such as pine beams, are featured in the design of the hotel. Photos by Jayne Clark, USA TODAY ORG XMIT: 10/23/2012 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Traditional Hopi building components, such as pine beams, are featured in the design of the hotel. Photos by Jayne Clark, USA TODAY ORG XMIT: 10/23/2012 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
An exterior view of the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites.
An exterior view of the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
The rear of the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites hotel has a replica of a traditional Hopi house.
The rear of the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites hotel has a replica of a traditional Hopi house.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
The Hopi Cultural Center on Second Mesa was the first lodging on the reservation.
The Hopi Cultural Center on Second Mesa was the first lodging on the reservation.
Jayne Clark, USA TODAY
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