The Alósaka cult of the Hopi Indians

Name: The Alósaka cult of the Hopi Indians
Author: Jesse Walter Fewkes

By Jesse Walter Fewkes

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About This Book

An ethnographic study documents a Hopi cult centered on horned wooden figures called Alósaka, describing their discovery, form, and the priesthood (Aaltû or Horn-men) that personates them. Field observations and legends are used to detail ritual dress and the symbolic horns, the role of Alósaka as escorts who mark and guard trails with meal, and their parts in Flute, New-fire, and Winter Solstice ceremonies. The account traces southern-clan contributions to certain rites, examines linked shrines and effigies such as Talatumsi and Tuwapontumsi, and interprets germinative, ancestor-veneration, and animal-associated symbolism in the cult.

About the Author

Jesse Walter Fewkes

Jesse Walter Fewkes was an American archaeologist and ethnologist known for his extensive studies of Native American cultures, particularly in the Southwestern United States. He served as a prominent figure in the Bureau of American Ethnology and contributed significantly to the understanding of prehistoric and historic indigenous peoples. Fewkes is recognized for his detailed reports and investigations, including works such as "Antiquities of the Mesa Verde National Park," which explores the archaeological significance of the region. His research not only documented ancient structures but also delved into the cultural practices of tribes like the Hopi, making him a key figure in the field of American archaeology.