Native Americans in Arizona: Songs and Dances
Student Activity Number One
Created by Mary A. Ruane
Introduction
The Hopi Indians have inhabited the state of Arizona for many years.
As a society, they had to deal with many of the same environmental issues
which we deal with today. During this activity, you will find out
many things about the Hopi. Some things may already be familiar to
you!
The Task
You will be reading about the culture of the Hopi Indians. Pay close
attention to the meanings of the words which are used in this reading.
They are important words in the Hopi culture (in Arizona, we are familiar
with most of these words). You will also be learning about the Hopi
Rain Dance. Why do you think that the Rain Dance was an important
ceremony to the Hopi people? You are ready to proceed with the lesson.
Please read all of the directions before you click on your first
link.
The Process
TO GET BACK TO THIS PAGE AFTER YOU HAVE VISITED A WEBSITE, PLEASE CLICK
ON "BACK" AT TOP.
1. You will read about the HOPI
INDIANS . Scroll down to read the entire page.
2. After reading about this Native American culture, define the
following words with paper and pencil:
Hopi
Mesa
Oraibi
Kiva
Kachina
3. You will now read about the Hopi RAIN
DANCE .
4. Put the mouse over the pictures to see the lightning dance
wand and the tableta at the bottom of the page (you must scroll down to
get to the bottom of the page).
5. Answer the following questions with paper and pencil:
1. How did the Hopi people actively
bring rain?
2. Describe the "katsinas", using these
words: clouds, rain, kilts, sashes, lightning bolt, bull roarers.
3. What do you think the "bull roarers"
are?
4. How could we, as a music class, create
our own "rain dance"?
You will be graded on the accuracy and detail of your answers. You
will also be graded on your creativity and detail when you are designing
our "music class rain dance".
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