172 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. III. 

 TIME AND DURATION OF THE CEREMONY. 



The ceremonies of the Snake and Antelope Fraternities are cele- 

 brated simultaneously every other year in five of the Hopi villages, 

 viz.: Walpi, Mishongnovi, Shipaulovi, Shongopavi and Oraibi. 

 The celeBrations at Walpi and Mishongnovi occur during odd years, 

 while those of the other three villages occur in even years. Thus 

 during 1901 the ceremonies were performed at Walpi and Mishong- 

 novi, This year they will be given at Shipaulovi, Shongopavi and 

 Oraibi. 



An examination of all available dates of the Snake -Antelope 

 performances reveals several points of interest. First, it may be 

 noted that without exception the entire nine days fall within our 

 month of August and that the maximum variation for the five vil- 

 lages during performances extending over a period of ten years is 

 ten days, the earliest day being that for the Walpi performance in 

 1893, August 14, while the latest day is August 24, 1894, at (Shongo- 

 povi and) Walpi and 1901 at Walpi. It may also be noted that the 

 days of the celebration never coincide for any of the villages in the 

 same year. The reason for this is not apparent, inasmuch as, so far 

 as is known, there is no cooperation between the priests of one village 

 and those of another. Indeed, it is not known that the Snake priests, 

 for example, ever visit the Snake kiva of another village during their 

 performance. 



What determines the exact date of the beginning of the ceremony 

 has never yet been satisfactorily explained. The principal thing 

 seems to be the condition of the crops. Much questioning this year 

 at Mishongnovi did not throw much light on the subject. Our inform- 

 ant, Shakhungwa, the village Ceremonial Crier, and others, insisted 

 that the Mishongnovi performance ordinarily was announced on the 

 fourth day following the last day of the Niman or farewell ceremony at 

 Shipaulovi,* although what relation this ceremony bears to that of 

 the Snakes and Antelopes was not ascertained, perhaps none. The_ 

 Shipaulovi Niman ceremony terminated this year on the 3rd of 

 August, hence, according to our informants, the announcement of the 

 Mishongnovi performances should have taken place on August 7th. 

 whereas, as a matter of fact, it was on the 5th. This discrepancy was 

 explained by our informant declaring that on the ninth day of the 

 Shipaulovi Niman ceremony, the priests of the Mishongnovi Antelope 



*Tlus village always celebrates its Farewell Katcina ceremony last and no Snake ceremony 

 ever takes place before this event, which concludes the Katcina season, has occurred. 



