The Hopi Snake Dance – Cultural Significance and Ritual Practices

The Hopi Snake Dance – Cultural Significance and Ritual Practices

1. Provide the following information about the article you selected:

Author: Murphy John and Michael Cardwell.

Article Title: Avoiding Envenomation While Dancing with Rattlesnakes, the Hopi Snake Ritual and Tobacco.

Journal Title: Bibliotheca Herpetologica

Volume Number: 15

Issue Number: 6

Publication Date: 2021

Page Numbers: 46-60

Database: Google Scholar

Doi: None

APA reference for this article: Murphy, J. C., & Cardwell, M. D. (2021). Avoiding Envenomation While Dancing with Rattlesnakes, the Hopi Snake Ritual, and Tobacco. Bibliotheca Herpetologica 15(6):46–60.

Summary of the article.

One of the common cultural practices among the Paleo-Americans, also known as Native Americans, is snake dancing. One of the Paleo-American groups is the Hopi nation, which is said to have the longest inhabitants in the Western Hemisphere and is currently surrounded by the Navajo Nation in Arizona (Murphy & Cardwell, 2021). The Hopi have always been a subject of interest among tourists and other individuals worldwide. Their culture persists even today, as they have a strong resistance against Christianity. A big part of the Hopi culture is said to arise from the Kachina cult, which is personifications and visualizations. Another essential cultural practice is the snake dance. According to Murphy and Cardwell (2021), the snake is considered a sacred reptile that has the power to control elements and is also said to be friendly to man. The Hopi, known initially as Moquis, do not kill a snake and are unafraid of handling the most venomous snakes. The rattlesnake is regarded with great veneration, and a bite from such a snake is not feared, as the members of the tribe have an antidote that is considered infallible, and its cure is almost immediate. When an Indian of this tribe is bitten, they immediately take the antidote and are restored to health. Efforts to obtain the ingredients of this antidote have been futile since this secret is guarded with utmost religious fidelity, and one would rather lay one’s life down than reveal the recipe.

The Snake Dance is performed every two years and is considered a means of propitiating the spirit of the summer rain to send lots of rain to fructify the earth and enable the crops to grow. Individuals hunt the snake, catch them with their hands and bring them back entwined in their necks, wrapped around their arms and legs or coiled in their bosoms. The members then place the snakes in a pit with their mouths covered in buffalo robes to prevent the escape of the snakes and then, in order of seniority, from older men to young virgin ladies, dance around them while making enchantments to seek the snakes to intercede for them in order for the spirit to release rain. After a while, silence prevails, and the hissing of the snakes is heard, which is believed to be a sign of answered request. The men then carry the snakes in their mouths, gently release them, and afterward look for the antidotes if they have been bitten. Some people believe that these snakes usually are stupefied using tobacco smoke to facilitate the ease of the snake dance. Tobacco is an essential element in their tradition.

 Personal reflection of the article.

I seek to understand different cultures, which helps me become more comfortable with individuals from diverse backgrounds. I was particularly interested in this topic because it is one that I had never heard of before, and the idea of dancing with snakes incredibly intrigued me. I am terrified of snakes and was shocked to find out that there are people who have absolutely no fear of them; if anything, they hold them in very high esteem. Besides, I was surprised to find out that snakes can have such a strong meaning in the culture of people. The Hopi perform the snake dance for specific, somewhat religious reasons, which is something to be respected.

This topic is important in studying American history as it reveals an integral part of the culture of the few remaining Native Americans. Culture is a vital component of society today and in the past as it is one of the ways through which individuals obtain their identity and have their sense of belongingness. By studying this topic, individuals will be able to respect and also learn a key component of what sets people apart from others. Today, this topic enlightens us on the importance of respecting the culture and traditions of other people. It also teaches us the importance of understanding why some people do certain things, and even if such things fail to make sense to us, it is important to respect them.

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The Hopi Snake Dance

Instructions
In Unit I, you became familiar with not only some of the unique and amazing cultures of Paleo-America but also the important opportunities we all have by studying the vast complexity of America’s past.
For this assignment, you will begin by selecting a tribal culture, event, or theory connected with Paleo-America that captures your interest.
Once you have selected your topic, you will go to the CSU Online Library and locate a peer-reviewed article about your topic.

1. Provide the following information about the article you selected:

Author:

Article Title:

Journal Title:

Volume Number:

Issue Number:

Publication Date:

Page Numbers:

Database:

Doi:

Provide the full APA reference for this article:

2. In essay format, write a summary of the article. Your summary should be insightful and provide a thorough analysis of the content presented. Make certain to clearly identify (using APA guidelines) any paraphrased and directly quoted content from your article. First-person narrative (i.e., your personal opinion) is not permitted in this section.

Your response must be at least 300 words in length.

3. In essay format, write your personal reflection on the article. First personal narrative (i.e., your personal opinion) is permitted in this section. As you are constructing your personal reflection, address the following questions:
4. Why did you select this topic?
5. What interested you most about the article?
6. What surprised you the most in the article?
7. Is this topic important when studying American history? Why or why not?
8. How is this topic connected to us today? What can we learn from it?

Your response must be at least 200 words in length.