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Paths of Life

Hopi: Hopivotskwani—the Hopi Path of Life

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All aspects of culture—kinship, religion, political organization, world view—are connected to form a complete system of beliefs embodied in the concept of Hopivotskwani—the Hopi Path of Life. In the Hopi world, all of these elements are explained in the story of their origins.

According to Hopi beliefs, their ancestors escaped from the evil and witchcraft of a series of underworlds by climbing up into this, the Fourth World. The god Maasau instructed them to go out and discover this world in order to perfect the Hopi way of life. Only when they had done so could they return to the Hopi mesas to live.

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Hopi Virtual Reality Tour 1

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Map of the Exhibition Hopi Hopi Hopi Navajo Navajo Navajo Western Apache Western Apache Pai Southern Paiute Education Area Colorado River Yumans O’odham O’odham Yaqui Yaqui Tarahamura Tarahamura Seri Seri Orientation Entrance