Hopituh Clans

Traditionally, Hopituh are organized into matrilineal clans. When a man marries, the children from the relationship are members of his wife’s clan. These clan organizations extend across all villages. Children are named by the women of the father’s clan.

The origins of Hopituh clans show that they came from different directions. It seems that most came from the south, from the Salado, Sinagua and Hohokam cultural area which seem to have been the original Hopituh-speakers of the Uto-Aztecan language family. An important influx came from the north and northeast from the Anasazi cultural area. Most of them spoke the Keresan language which is a language isolate. A few however were Tewa-speakers of the Tanoan language family. Tracing their exact origins is difficult and shrouded in mystery. Archaeology, folklore and other sources have however shed some light on this issue.

Some of the phratries and clans have a related clan among the Diné (Navahos), especially the ones of Keresan-ancestry. Probably the main difference lies in the language their descendants speak today. Be it Diné, Hopi or English, their common ancestry is reflected in the clan history, structure and function. The phratries and/or clans that can also be found among the Diné are marked with a *.

Hopituh had several phratries, each of which had one to fifteen clans.

Honaninyûmû (Badger, Honani, Honan-wungwa) phratry – Keresan

• Kayenta, from Kiisiw ruins near Navaho Mt.,
• Fewkes says they are Tewa from Rio Grande,
• one of the most populous phratries,
• one of the most important phratries.

Clans:

1. Honangyam (Badger, Honani) – from Kiisiw
2. Muinyawu (Porcupine)
3. Wishoko (Turkey-buzzard)
4. Povalngyam (Butterfly, Buli)
5. Buliso (Evening primrose)
6. Kachina (Sacred dancer)

Honnyûmû (Bear, Honau, Hona-wungwa) phratry – Hopituh

• Hohokam, from Tavanki (Snaketown, Village of the West) ruins southeast of Phoenix,
• Fewkes says they are Towa, from Jemez Pueblo at Rio Grande,
• one of two original clans of Hopi,
• one of the most populous phratries,
• the ruling clan,
• one of the most important phratries,
• oldest clan in Tusayan.

Clans:

1. Honngyam (Bear, Hona-wungwa) – from Palatkwabi
2. Tokochi (Wild-cat)
3. Tsorngyam (Bluebird, Chosh-wungwa) * – from Sinagua Culture Walnut Canyon
4. Kookyangwngyam (Spider, Koking-wungwa) – from Palatkwabi
5. Hekpa (Fir) – from Palatkwabi
6. ? (Black Bear)
7. ? (Gray Bear)
8. Piqosngyam (Bearstrap) – from Sinagua Culture Walnut Canyon – from Palatkwabi
9. Wikurs-wungwa (Greasy Eye Socket) (extinct)
10. ? (Mole)
11. ? (Water Coyote)

Paaqapnyûmû (Pakab, Reed) phratry – Hopituh or Keresan

• Winslow Kayenta from Homolovi by Little Colorado R.,
• Fewkes says they are from Rio Grande, possibly Keres,
• descendants of captured women from Awatobi village,
• warfare and defence, warrior clan,
• one of the most important phratries.

Clans:

1. Paaqabngyam (Pakab, Reed) – from Palatkwabi and Homolovi
2. Kwaangyam (Eagle, Qua-wungwa) – from Palatkwabi
3. Kyelngyam (Hawk, Falcon, Kestrel, Kwayo)
4. Koyonya (Turkey)
5. Taawangyam (Sun) – from Palatkwabi and Homolovi
6. Paluna (Twin-brother of Puhukonghoya)
7. Shohu (Star)
8. Masikwayngyam (Chicken-hawk or Gray Eagle)
9. Kahabi (Willow)
10. Tepngyam (Greasewood) – from Palatkwabi
11. Qalngyam (Sun forehead) (formerly the Eagle clan) – from Palatkwabi and Homolovi

Katsinnyûmû (Kachina, Sacred dancer) formerly Ungwish-wungwa (Crow) phratry * – Hopituh

• propably Sinagua from the south (lived once at San Francisco Peaks in Ariz.) and Sinagua Culture Elden Pueblo,
• have Mimbres Mogollon cultural features,
• agricultural concerns and need along with weather, rain and fertility.
• one of the most important phratries.

Clans:

1. Katsinngyam (Sacred dancer) – are non-Palatkwabi
2. Kyarngyam (Paroquet-Parrot, Gash-wungwa) – most important clan among the Hopi, said to have come from the Zuni – from Palatkwabi
3. Angwusngyam (Raven)
4. Sikyachi (Yellow bird)
5. Tawamana (Blackbird, Crow)
6. Salabi (Spruce)
7. Suhubi (Cottonwood) 

Tsu‘nnyûmû (Snake, Rattlesnake, Chua) phratry – Keresan

• Kayenta from Tsu’ovi (Inscription House Pueblo-ruins) and Betatakin at Navaho Nat. Mon. and Tohonabi by the river crossings of Colorado and San Juan,
• second most important phratry among the Hopi,
• one of two original clans among the Hopi,
• possibly related to Zuni.

Clans:

1. Tsu‘ngyam (Snake, Rattlesnake, Chua) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
2. Tohouh (Puma, Mountain Lion) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
3. Huwi (Dove) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
4. Ushu (Columnar cactus) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
5. Puna (Cactus fruit) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
6. Yungyu (Opuntia) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
7. Nabowu (Opuntia frutescens) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
8. Piuwani (Marmot)
9. Pihcha (Skunk)
10. Kalashiavu (Raccoon)
11. Tubish (Sorrow) (extinct)
12. Paatangngyam (Squash) – from Palatkwabi (extinct)
13. Atokngyam (Crane) – from Palatkwabi (extinct)
14. Kele (Pigeon-hawk) (extinct)
15. Chinunga (Thistle) (extinct)

Alngnyûmû (Ala, Horn) phratry – Keresan

• Kayenta from Kawestima (Keet Seel) (possibly Keresan-word) ruins and Betatakin/Talestima ruins (Place of Blue Corn Tassels) at Navaho Nat. Mon.

Clans:

1. Alngyam (Ala, Horn) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
2. Pangwa (Mountain sheep) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
3. Sowiinwa (Deer) * – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
4. Chubio (Antelope) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
5. Chaizra (Elk) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
6. Lehu (Seed grass)

Anunnyûmû (Ant) phratry

• origin unknown.

Clans:

1. Anungyam (Shiwanu, Ant)
2. Toko‘anungyam (Anu, Large dark red ant)
3. Tokoanu (Black ant)
4. Wuko‘anungyam (Great ant)
5. Sisiw‘anungyam (Leliotu, Tiny black ant)

Patkinnyûmû (Patki, Water-house, Cloud, Flood) formerly Kaeu (Corn) phratry – Hopituh

• Hohokam, from Tavanki (Snaketown, Village of the West) ruins southeast of Phoenix,
• from Palatkwapi in Verde Valley, Arizona,
• or from Casas Grandes in Chihuahua, Mexico,
• originally from the south of Arizona and the border area within Mexico.

Clans:

1. Patkingyam (Patki, Water-house or Cloud) – from Palatkwabi
2. Qa‘öngyam (Mature corn, Kau) – from Palatkwabi
3. Oomawngyam (Rain-cloud) – from Palatkwabi
4. Tanaka (Rainbow) – from Palatkwabi
5. Talawipiki (Lightning) – from Palatkwabi
6. Kwan (Agave) – from Palatkwabi
7. Siwapi Sivaf-wungwa (Rabbit-brush) (extinct) – from Palatkwabi
8. Pawikya (aquatick animal [Duck]) – from Palatkwabi
9. Pakwa (Frog) – from Palatkwabi
10. Pavatiya (Tadpole) – from Palatkwabi
11. Murzibusi (Bean)
12. Kawaibatunya (Watermelon)
13. Yoki (Rain)
14. Nuvangyam (Snow)
15. Piikyasngyam (Wilted/Young Corn) – from Palatkwabi

Lenngnyûmû (Flute, Millet) phratry – Hopituh or Keresan

• Winslow Kayenta,
• originally from Little Colorado and the area south of it.

Clans:

1. Lenngyam (Flute, Millet) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
2. Cakwaleña (Blue flute) – a ceremonial society, not a clan
3. Macileña (Grey Flute, Drab or All-colours flute) – a ceremonial society, not a clan

Kookopnnyûmû (Wood, Firewood, Fire, Redheads) phratry – Hopituh or Keresan

• Winslow Kayenta from Homolovi by Little Colorado R.,
• others say Towa, from Jemez Pueblo by Rio Grande,

Clans:

1. Kookopngyam (Wood, Bamboo, Wukobacab-wungwa) – are non-Palatkwabi
2. Ishauu (Coyote) – from Kawestima near Navaho Mt.
3. Kwewu (Wolf)
4. Sikyataiyo (Yellow-fox) – from Kawestima (Keet Seel) near Navaho Mt.
5. Letaiyo (Gray-fox) – from Kawestima (Keet Seel) near Navaho Mt.
6. Zrohona (small mammal)
7. Masi Maasaw (Earth Spirit, dead, skeleton, Ruler of the Dead)
8. Tuvou (Piñon)
9. Hoko (Juniper)
10. Aawatngyam (Bow) – from Naasavi (Casa Grande ruins), Arizona,
11. Sikyachi (small yellow bird)
12. Tuvuchi (small red bird)
13. Kokongyam (Burrowing Owl) – from Palatkwabi

Tabo (Cottontail rabbit) phratry * – Hopituh or Keresan

• Winslow Kayenta from Homolovi by Little Colorado R.,

Clans:

1. Tabo (Cottontail rabbit) – are non-Palatkwabi
2. Sowi (Jackrabbit) – are non-Palatkwabi
3. Taf-wungwa (Rabbit) – are non-Palatkwabi

Tuwanyûmû (Sand or Earth) phratry – Keresan

• Kayenta from Tsu’ovi (Inscription House Pueblo-ruins) and Toko‘navi (Navaho Mts.) near Navaho Nat. Mon.

Clans:

1. Kuukutsngyam (Lizard, Bachipkwasi, Nananawi, Momobi) – Kayenta – from Palatkwabi
2. ? (Horned Lizard) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
3. Pisa (White sand) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
4. Tuwangyam (Red sand) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
5. Teu-wungwa (Sand) – Kayenta, from Toko´navi (Navaho Mt.)
6. Chukai (Mud)
7. Sihu (Flower)
8. Nanawu (small striped squirrel)

Asanyûmû (Wild mustard, Tansy mustard, Tca‘kwaina nyûmû) phratry * * – Tewa

• Tewa from Kaekibi village near Santa Fe and Abiqui on Rio Grande,
• Left people to found clans among Santo Domingo, Laguna and Zuni,
• called Aiyaho clan among the Zuni,
• called Kinaani (High-standing house phratry) among the Navaho.

Clans:

1. Asangyam (Tansy mustard)
2. Chakwaina (Blackearth Kachina)
3. Kwingyap (Oak)
4. Hosboa (Chapparel cock)
5. Posiwu (Magpie)
6. Chisro (Snow-bunting)
7. Puchkohu (Boomerang rabbit-stick)
8. Pisha (Field-mouse)

Piipnnyûmû (Tobacco, Piba) phratry * – Hopituh or Keresan

• Winslow Kayenta from Homolovi by Little Colorado R.

Clans:

1. Piipngyam (Tobacco, Piba) – from Palatkwabi
2. Chongyo (Pipe)

Updated: March 2020.