Book of the Hopi by Frank Waters / Oswald White Bear Fredericks   Paperback 345 pages (December 1985) Viking Pr ISBN: 0140045279 Bookshelf Categories Native American Spirituality

Reviews:

History and Culture of the Hopi	8/29/2000
Reviewer: Darrell from Louisville, KY USA
This book is my first exposure to the historical, spiritual and cultural history of the Hopi, both prehistoric and modern. A must read for anyone interested in the honorable traditions of the first American inhabitants whose history predates that of European biblical history, and how the introduction of the European has completely altered their ritualistic practices. This book has opened my eyes to a people whose lives are rich in dedication to the preservation of peace for all living entities on this planet and throughout the cosmos. Who this book is not for is the UFOlogist, Hollow-Earth and Alien-Conspiracy theorists who believe the Hopi people have come from the purported middle-earth where an evil alien civilization still exist to this day. However, who this book is for are those who respect life as the Hopi respect life and who want to these peoples through the early migrations. From this book you will see that the Hopi have traveled throughout all of the Northern and Southern Americas, as well as Canada and the Artic polar regions long before the European traveled to these parts of the globe, and whose religious practices are older than that of any religion in the world. Where the Christian religion (through the teachings and historical records of the Bible) only know of two worlds the Hopi civilization have memories of four worlds, but both have records of the exact same destruction of the last world, i.e., its destruction by water. Also the Hopi are privy to the knowledge that we will face three more worlds. I rate this book wonderful, enlightening, educational and spiritually edifying

Excellent Hopi book.	7/16/1997
Reviewer: A reader
Ever since my first visit to the mesas I have wanted to know more about the Hopi people, their culture and their beliefs. On of the best books I have found (coming from a non-Hopi) is "Book of the Hopi" by Frank Waters and published by Penguin Books, 1963. This book covers the origin of the Hopi, the four migrations, the origin of the clans, ceremonies etc. It is a book for anyone interested in learning more about the Hopi people. Thought you might wish to include it in your book list.

I found the section on Prayer Feathers very interesting.	7/16/1997
Reviewer: A reader
Chapter 2 - North to the Back Door (pp. 37-38) Hay-ya, hay-ya, mel-lo ... So the people began their migrations, climbing up a high mountain. They were accompanied by two insect people resembling the katydid or locust, the m·hu [insect which has the heat power]. On top they met a great bird, the eagle. One of the m·hus, acting as a spokesman for the people, asked the eagle, "Have you been living here very long?" "Yes," replied the eagle, "since the creation of this Fourth world." "We have traveled a long way to reach this new land," said the m·hu. "Will you permit us to live here with you?" "Perhaps," answered the eagle. "But I must test you first." Drawing out one of his arrows he was holding in his claws, he ordered the two m·hus to step closer. To one he said, "I am going to poke this arrow into your eyes. If you do not close them, you and all the people who follow you may remain here." Whereupon he poked the point of the arrow so close to the m·hu's eye it almost touched, but the m·hu did not blink. "You are a people of great strength," observed the eagle. "But the second test is much harder and I don't believe you will pass it." "We are ready for the second test," said the two m·hus. The eagle pulled out a bow, cocked an arrow, and shot the first m·hu through the body. The m·hu, with the arrow sticking out one side of him, lifted the flute he had brought with him and began to play a sweet and tender melody. "Well!" said the eagle. "You have more power than I thought!" So he shot the other m·hu with a second arrow. The two m·hus, both pierced with arrows, played their flutes still more tenderly and sweetly, producing a soothing vibration and an uplift of spirit which healed their pierced bodies. The eagle, of course, then gave the people permission to occupy the land, saying, "Now that you have stood both tests you may use my feather any time you want to talk to our Father Sun, the Creator, and I will deliver your message because I am the conqueror of air and master of height. I am the only one who has the power of space above, for I represent the loftiness of the spirit and can deliver your prayers to the Creator." Ever since then the people have used the feathers of an eagle for their prayer-feathers or p·hos, and sing to a sick child, knowing that the sweet power of music will help to heal him.