The Hopi people are a peaceful matrilineal native peoples of America. They live in the 4 corners area of the American Southwest. According to a 2000 census, there are less than 7000 Hopi living in the Hopi land. The Hopi and Zuni are descended from the Puebloan people. One of the four original Hopi villages, Oraibi, remains and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages within the territory of the United States. The village had a population of 1500 to 3000 people in the 1540s. The Hopi resisted the pressures and abuse from the Spanish and their priests and kept their culture and their religious beliefs in tact.
One of the most interesting parts of the Hopi belief system is their belief in Kachinas. Kachinas are spirit beings that represent elements in nature. According to wikipedia:
A kachina can represent anything in the natural world or cosmos, from a revered ancestor to an element, a location, a quality, a natural phenomenon, or a concept. There are more than 400 different kachinas in Hopi and Pueblo culture. The local pantheon of kachinas varies in each pueblo community; there may be kachinas for the sun, stars, thunderstorms, wind, corn, insects, and many other concepts. Kachinas are understood as having humanlike relationships; they may have uncles, sisters, and grandmothers, and may marry and have children. Although not worshipped, each is viewed as a powerful being who, if given veneration and respect, can use their particular power for human good, bringing rainfall, healing, fertility, or protection, for example.
The Hopi practice a complete cycle of traditional ceremonies although not all villages retain or had the complete ceremonial cycle. These ceremonies take place according to the lunar calendar and are observed in each of the Hopi villages. Like other Native American groups, the Hopi have been influenced by Christianity and the missionary work of several Christian denominations. Few have converted enough to Christianity to drop their traditional religious practices.
The Hopi have many dances that are part of their belief systems as well that act as spiritual medicine for their people.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopi_people
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kachina
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