Since we are such a large group (18 people) we frequently need to break into two groups to avoid overwhelming the sites and people we visit. Thursday was no exception - we divided into two groups with one group taking an extended tour with Merle and the other group visiting Bob Rhodes and the Hopi School.. I was in the second group. Friday, I will be part of the group that goes with Merle on the tour.
We began our day visiting Bob Rhodes. He is an educator who settled in Hopi over 40 years ago and is convinced that we are doing education wrong for the Hopi. Instead of taking the Anglo model of school and imposing it on Hopi he wants to take the traditional Hopi ways of learning and incorporate Anglo content.
Cheryl and Bob outside Bob's office
Bob lives on the edge of First Mesa and has a stunning view out his front window. We spent about an hour with Bob while he explained what his is attempting to accomplish. One thing he has done is to work to have master Hopi artist teach their arts so they are not lost. While we were there there was a class in one form of traditional Hopi basket weaving. The class was comprised of adult women who were working on creating small baskets. For most of them basket weaving is an art practiced by their grandmothers but something that is in danger of being lost.
Hopi woman weaving a basket
After our time with Bob, we returned to the Hopi Mission School and waited to have lunch with the other group. After lunch we went shopping at some of the local Hopi shops.Some purchase native crafts from the local artists and then sell them. Others are run by the artists themselves. While at Rising Sun Gallery (http://www.hopisilver.com) we talked with the owner Weaver Selina who is a silversmith. He showed us how he creates the Hopi inlay jewelry.
Dinner was a traditional Hopi dinner provided by Robert and Caroline Lomabalaquihoya. Dinner was a "Hopi taco" which is a large (plate sized) piece of fry bread topped with beans and ground beef cooked together. This was topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and onions. This was a very tasty and filling meal.
After dinner Robert brought in some the the Katsina Dolls he has made. His are in a very traditional style. Here is the Corn Katsina I purchased from him:
While Robert was speaking to us after dinner we had a rain storm come through. The rain is always welcome here even when it comes for just a few minutes.
Rain heading our way
I will post again later today after what promises to be a very full day.
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