The Winter Solstice Altars at Hano Pueblo

Name: The Winter Solstice Altars at Hano Pueblo
Author: Jesse Walter Fewkes

By Jesse Walter Fewkes

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About This Book

An anthropological account records midwinter altars and associated rites observed among Tewa-speaking clans living in a pueblo within Hopi territory, detailing their Tûñtai (Soyaluña) ceremony, ritual objects such as sun-ladder prayer-sticks, and the altars' Tanoan features preserved from ancestral homes along the Rio Grande. The author traces the community's migration and clan composition, provides census-like household lists, and compares these altars and practices with neighboring Hopi winter solstice observances, emphasizing continuity and patterns of cultural assimilation. Close descriptions of kiva layouts and priestly explanations are used to reconstruct the ritual forms and their origins.

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.