Stone Tablet #3

Taken from Techqua Ikachi (issue #3):

"We knew that one day a strange people would appear in our midst, who would create man in his own image. Given his language and his knowledge, our own people will become the instrument by which he will try to rule over us and carve the rest of us into his image. His creation will be of our own people. Since they will be his tools he will make certain they do a good job. "But if we are strong and firmly rooted we will not be deformed, whereas they will slump for they will be rootless. So we must have strength to preserve ourselves.

"As time goes by, people will struggle for power to rule for self-gain. But it will be in vain, for whoever leads must allow equal value to the land and all life placed there by the Creator.

"Each race will have a different system to go by when their leadership becomes distorted by mistakes or destructive ways. For the Hopi the lines of leadership are firmly drawn, for we know that along the way rightful leaders and people may forsake and stray from their sacred duties, and eventually use their ceremonials the wrong way for influence, or commercialize them. Thus the most important function must be discontinued until we find our way again and respect it rightly.

"Although the leadership will function normally without the Kikmongwi (Chief) since the religious leaders will have the same power and authority to lead their people through the pattern of the life cycle bestowed on them and all mankind, it will often be asked, "Who will carry on the power and authority when all religious leaders die?"

"It will pass on to any person clinging to the Creator's great laws; a strong and stable person ignoring the lingering pressure of destruction, and willing to die in honor of the Great Spirit. For this stand is not for himself but for all people, land and life. The people of the destroyer will use the word, leaderless, as a weapon to bring the humble to their knees. In spite of this we must stand firm.

"I was fortunate to witness and share in gatherings with the great leaders often held in Oraibi before the division among our people caused by the intervention of Bahanna, to review the instructions and prophecies. At that time the theme of the gatherings was one and we all spoke in the same terms. The Bear Clan and the Fire Clan and the Spider Clan occupied the authoritative seats before them. Pipes were smoked and exchanged as a sign of brotherhood, symbolizing the understanding of one for another. The talk of the Bear Clan leader would be resumed by the Fire Clan leader, the Spider Clan correcting the mistakes. It would last into the night. At this young age my understanding was not fully developed, and I wondered why they always talked along the same pattern. As I grew older I began to understand the purpose. Along the way as we follow the pattern of life, our lifestyle might change and even fall to the opposing forces with their materialistic advantages. But there will be resistance from those who adhere to the great laws.

"Authoritative leaders will die out. People of bad intentions will seek out leaders with which they can deal for their own ends. People with good intentions will also seek for the right leaders to help them regain what was rightfully theirs from the beginning.

"Since both the Bear Clan and the Fire Clan have authority by their stone tablets, they exchanged vows by which their power would be surrendered, should they make a weakening mistake, to the next person in line; or any person still traveling on the rightful path, should all three authorities fail.

"I have come to understand now that this doctrine has to be followed once again, as it has been followed since the dawn of time by people in power and authority. We can now look back and see our fallen brothers. In many cases we will fight for power leaning on our clan hereditary value, but if one makes a mistake it is all in vain.

"As far as I can remember no words replacing the great laws were ever spoken. To forget or change them would be to lose the life they hold for all mankind.

"I speak here of the doctrine followed in Oraibi, where we Hotevilla people came from. We have several mesas on which are situated many villages, each of which is independently governed. Perhaps they have their own system or pattern to follow in order to preserve themselves when faced with distorting or destructive influences.

"Yes, I see, and I am aware of many things which were foretold. It was foretold that man's clothing would be taken over by women. Also skirts have been raised above the knee, as predicted, devaluing the sacred body of the female, indicating that many things will be devalued from the original. The lack of peace in our own spiritual being could trigger the revolution. So when the Hopi sees this his remark is simple: 'We are now at the beginning of something!' Our character and conduct have changed. Respect we once had for each other is gone. We have forgotten how to greet, appreciate, and share with each other, and have become greedy to the point of competition. We are becoming militant against the weak, some resorting to Bahanna law here in our village, for their own self gain, without respect for the rightful leaders. Strong arm tactics are employed. Our ceremonial dances and songs are waning spiritually. There are other signs too numerous to mention.

"I need not look further. The landscape is dry. It has rained some but the plants and grass have not responded to it. Something is wrong. Let's look within ourselves. Perhaps we still have time to correct ourselves, for better or worse we must try.

"For example, I put a question to a young man who seems to be serious and always participates in ceremonial dances: 'Why do you sing and dance?' He answered, 'Because I'm Hopi and I enjoy dancing.' 'Do you know there are meanings in the songs and movements, that we hope will link our thoughts with the unseen forces so it will rain and grow our plants and we will have plenty to eat?' He looked at me with a smile and answered, 'Yeah, I know, but I have no field where I can plant. I dance to entertain so women and girls will enjoy my dancing.' 'Good thoughts!' 'They also produce very wet moisture when handled kindly.'