article
“Then you will rise and strike my head from my neck”: Hopi prophecy and the discourse of empowerment
American Indian quarterly • 19 (1) • Published In 1995 • Pages: 31-73
By: Clemmer, Richard O..
Abstract
This paper is a detailed analysis of Hopi mythic prophecies, their significance in Hopi society, and their relationship to the non-Hopi world. Clemmer attempts "…to explain why Hopi prophecy contains these two elements -- the stabilization of uncertainty on the one hand and the introduction of instability on the other -- by suggesting that 'punishment' is a metaphor for loss of political and economic autonomy and that 'punisher' is a metaphor for re-empowerment. All other referents in the prophetic mythic complex serve to connect it to specific symbols from Hopi tradition, culture, and religion; to symbols familiar to non-Hopis; and to the flow of historical events. The effect of these referents is to confirm the validity of the mythic prophecy to a multi-faceted audience of Hopis -- who seek empowerement -- and non-Hopis, who must be persuaded not to deny power to them" (pp. 32-33).
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Southwest and Basin
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle; 1999
- Field Date
- 1968-1969
- Coverage Date
- 1882 - 1990
- Coverage Place
- Oraibi (Orayvi) pueblo, Third Mesa, northeastern Arizona, United States
- Notes
- By Richard O. Clemmer
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-73)
- LCCN
- 74647596
- LCSH
- Hopi Indians