The Fourth World of the Hopis: The Epic Story of the Hopi Indians as Preserved in Their Legends and Traditions

by Harold Courlander

Here the noted folklorist brings together traditional accounts of epic events and adventures in the life of Hopi clans and villages, from legendary to historical times. The setting of these various adventures and events is not the Southwest as we know it today, but a vast and largely unpeopled wilderness in which clans and families wandered in search of a final living place, and in search of their collective identity. Notes, a pronunciation guide, and a glossary enhance the reader's appreciation of the text.

Genres: Native American, Mythology, History, Religion, Native Americans, Indigenous, Nonfiction

239 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Bob Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

mythology from the land of kachinas

The western world has always been fascinated by the number three for some reason. Jokes always have three sections, Goldilocks and the three bears, the Three Stooges, the Three Magi, baroque concerti with three parts, Gaul divided into three parts, three reasons to do thus and so---it's never AB or ABCD, but always ABC. You can think of your own examples. But, as I read the Hopi myths presented here, I realized that the Hopis were similarly enamoured of the number four. That's why, according to the Hopis, an interesting group of Indians living in what is today Arizona, when mankind was being formed, it went through three prior stages before emerging through a "sipapuni", or sacred hole, into the present world---the fourth world of the Hopis. In the telling of each tale, people race four times, encounter four animals, and four men perform a dance.

Though when there are no documents, westerners tend to label narratives "myths" rather than "history", I think there would be a large element of fact in these Hopi stories, allowing for some mythological characters and magical realism. If "Grandmother Spider" and her two young warrior grandsons are hardly historical figures, the moods and motivations of the characters in the stories may reflect Hopi reality some hundreds of years ago. The quarrels and disputes that arise in the legends may actually be modelled on real ones. So, rather than look at these tales as amusing entertainments, it behooves us to mine them carefully and think about what they meant to Hopis who told them, what they mean in terms of the actual conditions of Hopi life over hundreds of years. That said, the way that Courlander wrote these tales in English is guaranteed to hold the interest of anyone who likes to read of events and life in a society very unlike our own. Another aspect of the Hopi tales that stunned me was their similarity to some in Western tradition. Human beings have always faced the same moral dilemmas, no matter where or when they lived. Greek plays of 2,500 years ago still resonate strongly with audiences today. Shakespeare can be adapted easily to Japan or South Africa. In Hopi legend, we can find Sodom and Gomorrah. We can find Orpheus in the Underworld and other familiar tales in Hopi garb. They were not copied---the human mind works in the same way. People in societies everywhere present themselves as peaceful, beautiful, and fair, compared to the barbarous "others". The Hopi are no different, yet their stories reveal the innate violence that marks every human society and the endless struggle by society to control it. In short, though this book may be out of print, it is well worth reading for anyone interested in myth, Hopi culture, and American Indian history.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until I read Harold Courlander's (The Fourth World of the Hopis: The Epic Story of the Hopi Indians as Preserved in Their Legends and Traditions) Author: Harold Courlander published on, I had a completely different picture of the Hopi. I saw them as the original inhabitants of the southern extensions of Black Mesa.

In actuality, according to Courlander's informants, there was considerable movement to and from Hopi villages, including some areas well outside the boundaries of the present reservation. Some of this movement was by various clans before the Spanish conquest. It continued to the early 20th century with the founding of Moenkopi and the doctrinal divisions between the Friendlies and Hostiles of Oraibi.

Look upon this book as the prehistory to most works about the Hopi today.

[Kraig Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to read this book a few years back while actually driving through this area. Harold Courlander is someone who I have had some interest in as noticing his name pop up in a variety of places. One as the source of the story used by the composer Harry Partch in his Delusion of the Fury and also in a recording of Buddhist music while he was an editor for Folk ways records. Sometime before this book he was involed in a lawsuit with Alex Haley's book 'Roots' which appears to had been lifted a few chapters of one of his books.

[Joseph Gendron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have explored parts of eastern Arizona and recently toured the Casa Malpais National Historic Monument. The people who built this place left after two generations and migrated. It certainly got me curious why they would leave after all the effort to build. Hence my interest in learning more.
Similar migrations occurred across what is now Hopi, Zuni and Navajo lands. This means they left many ruins across the landscape, eventually settling in several villages with their associated clans.
The legends of the Hopi people are an enjoyable read and how their culture evolved and changed and interacted with neighbors resulted in many stories. This is unique Americana.

[Paulina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection of the story of the Hopis, from their world origin stories, their legends, traditions, and most especially the Hopi way of life.

I really loved this collection because it gave me a very broad and deep perspective on a culture that I knew nothing about. I loved their philosophy of allowing other clans to join them if they had space and if they could contribute something good to their community. I also loved that if a leader of a clan said no, the other clans didn't take offense, they understood their decision and looked for other options.

I really enjoyed the mythology of the legends, from Spider Grandmother to the Warrior gods, they were always really interesting and I loved every story that involved them.

All in all an excellent book that taught me a lot and which I would recommend to anyone who would like to learn about a group of people who don't tend to be represented in the books and stories we read.

[Ike Rakiecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1971, this collects 20 tales of Hopi folklore beginning with their creation stories and continuing with legends on a variety of topics. I found the notes section to be highly useful as it included background information on each story, focusing on where the events may have taken place and how the stories influenced the Hopi culture. The illustrations were a nice addition to the book.

[Roisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the stories of how the Hopis began and grew through the years.
Despite not having any relation to the Indians or being american in anyway I found these stories to be informative and very well constructed.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traditions, creation myths, and legends of the Hopi are used to narrate a history of the people. The same items explain their way of life and past migrations. Two Hopi songs are included. I found this work interesting.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courlander's collection of Hopi stories describe migration, clans, and kachinas all against the stark backdrop of the southwestern desert.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing Native American legend. The Hopi are an amazing people.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories written down here were gathered during three trips to Hopi land during the 1960's. Most of the informants of the legends preferred to remain anonymous, as the information was deemed to be sacred or secret. Courlander is a wonderful story teller and a master of folklore not just among the Hopi, but of several cultures across the world. In their long history, including four different stages of human development, the Hopi were constantly on the move, trying to find a promised land. When they thought they had found it, they made settlements, but soon discovered that life was too easy and prosperous, leading to decadence within the villages. The tribe would then split, with the portion of the tribe who wanted to preserve the old ways leaving to find another place to settle. You will see this pattern again and again in their history, as Hopi means "peaceful ones," who prefer division and migration to hostility and bloodshed.
The book begins with the origin of the cosmos and ends with the introduction of Christianity and Government intervention into the lives of the people. Christianity proved a destructive influence, as most of the paraphernalia of the ceremonies was stolen and sold to museums or destroyed by those Hopi who had converted to the new faith and thought the objects heretical. With the loss of the paraphernalia and the loss of knowledge on how to construct the instruments of the ceremonies, the ceremonies themselves died, even though the people wanted to revive them.
This is an awesome book for anyone interested in mythology, American history or colonialism.

[BlueInk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick read, but a fascinating one. I'm not very familiar with Native American mythology or storytelling, but the narrative voice Harold Courlander uses is a wonderful introduction. I was struck by the extent to which these stories feel like an oral history rather than a traditional set of legends like we expect in a Western tradition. It makes me want to seek out some Aboriginal legends, and to tackle some Icelandic sagas, which seem to occupy a similar cultural place.

I look forward to reading this again. I have no doubt that this is one of those books you draw something different from every time you open it.

[Kayla Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories for bedtime that also felt like reliving history through a sometimes fantastical perspective, especially at the creation story. The historical connections get really wild at the tales in later eras after the coming of the White Man. I'd like to learn more about the settlements where these stories take place.

[Vince Eccles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good coverage of Hopi Legends and Traditions. Enjoy the writing and the content.

[Mary]

Did not finish. Got the general idea of the myths of the Hopi people, their creations story and basic beliefs. Important background information, but the book itself wasn't compelling reading.

[David Iverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating accounts about the hopi people's origins, myths, and history.

[Erika Courlander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always loved this book. Inspired me to visit the Hopi reservation a few years ago…I sprinkled some of my father’s ashes there…I hope he would have approved. (Erika Courlander)

[River James · Rating 2 out of 5]

We walked over there and then we went over there and then we saw some others and...

[Socraticgadfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set aside New Agey myths about the always-peaceful Hopis. Learn more about all aspects of their history in this book.

For people who have heard about Hopis, and know enough about them to consider them a highly representative descendant of the Ancestral Puebloans, but nothing more, this is a decent book. It has stories of their origin from the third world, legends of tribal and clan migrations, and actual history, such as the split at Oraibi and the destruction of Awatovi.

But, one of the things many people with just base-level knowledge of Hopis may be interested in is kachinas. The author includes neither any critical study of their origin (Mexico, ultimately, via the Mimbres culture of SW New Mexico), nor any Hopi myths that focus on dances or ceremonies of kachinas.

[Anne]

I read this for a class, so will not rate it. If you are interested in Hopi mythology, it is a good read.

[Tanya Brodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neat look at the oral history of the Hopis. But, I wonder how much is accurate Hopi folklore. Still and good and easy read and I greatly enjoyed it.