Identifier
AFC 1978/003 (local)

Repository
Library of Congress / Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center

Date
1974 (Inclusive dates)

Summary
A sound recording of songs and discussion about aspects of Hopi religion, including dance. It was made by Diana Cohen in the spring of 1974 in Second Mesa, Arizona, and documents an informal gathering of families at the home of Ferrell Secakuku, leader of his village, songwriter, and dancer.

Scope and Content Note

Scope and Content

The collection consists of one 90-minute audio recording of songs and discussions about different aspects of Hopi religion which was recorded by Diana Cohen in the spring of 1974 in Second Mesa, Arizona. The recording documents an informal gathering of families at the home of Ferrell Secakuku who is a songwriter, snake dancer, and owner of the Second Mesa store. In the recording, which is in both English and Hopi, Secakuku describes his experiences in kiva ceremonies, as a kachina dancer, clown, and member of the Snake clan. Also present was Perry Honanie, Sr. who served in the United States Army in World War II as a Hopi code talker

The recording captures Secakuku demonstrating different types of chants and dance songs accompanied by drumming. He translates various phrases and explains their significance and symbolism. The explanations are not always clearly audible. In addition, an unidentified person plays banjo and sings several song fragments as well as one bird song in English. A question-and-answer session follows during which Secakuku offers an explanation also recounts some Hopi origin stories

System of Arrangement

Arrangement

The collection is organized by format into the following series: I. Sound Recordings

Conditions Governing Access

Access and Restrictions

Duplication of the collection materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions. Collection is open for research. To request materials, please contact the Folklife Reading Room at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.contact

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquisition

The collection was donated by Diana Cohen in 1978

General Note

Processing History

The collection was processed by Michelle Forner in 1994. Valda Morris revised and encoded the collection finding aid in EAD in December 2012

Extent
1 (sound recording (90 min.) : analog, 7 1/2 ips, stereo. ; 10 in.)

Language
eng (Languages)

Other Subject Headings
Hopi dance--Arizona (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Hopi Indians--Arizona--Music (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Hopi Indians--Arizona--Religion (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Hopi Indians--Arizona--Rites and ceremonies (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Snake dance--Arizona (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Second Mesa (Ariz. : Mesa)--Social life and customs (Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH))
Field recordings (Local)
Interviews (Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT))
Sound recordings (Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT))

Preferred Citation
Diana Cohen Hopi Religion Collection (AFC 1978/003), Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C