Hopi Proverbs

Let no one say negative things about those who are not present.

A community that lacks faith in itself cannot survive.

Everything has form, power, and inner meaning.

Never get involved in someone’s decisions about his belongings.

If two different bowls both get the job done, then what difference does it make if one bowl is dark and the other is pale?

Don’t be afraid to weep—it will free your mind from sad thoughts.

Take your children where you go—and don’t be ashamed.

There is never a valid reason for arguing.

No answer is also an answer.

You must live your life from start to finish; no one can do it for you.

Native American Wisdom

The Hopi (a subdivision of the Pueblo tribe) were a secretive and isolated society that participated very heavily in various ceremonies and rituals. One very notable and bizarre ceremony of theirs is the Snake Dance, where performers dance with live snakes in their mouths.

There are currently about 10,000 Hopi, the majority of which live on the Hopi reservation in Arizona. One Hopi village called Oraibi was founded about 800 years ago, and is considered one of the longest continuously occupied villages in the US.