Hopi culture: traveling to visit a traditional way of life

by Carolyn
(Wisconsin)

Hi, I am reading the most fascinating book about the Hopi Indians in southwestern U.S. called "HOPI" by Frank Waters. It seems one can visit their reservation for ceremonial dances. They are somewhat modernized with a beautiful hotel and other tourist amenities such as museums and restaurants. However, there is one town where there is still no electricity and running water and the Indians live in ancient stone house dwellings as they always have.

I have never been in any situations of such cross-cultural difference. Have you ever been to such a place? They say you cannot go to the non-modernized town without an indian guide because the people are very sensitive.

Answer: Visiting people in their own environment is one of the best travel experiences you can hope for. And yes, I have indeed been in similar situations, several times.

In the Brazilian Amazon, I stayed with some rubber tappers deep in the forest. There were no modern amenities at all, and I had to catch my own food. In Africa, in rural Zimbabwe, I spent a week in a rondavel (a round hut) in a small village where we had to walk 2 km downhill to the river for water - and carry it back the same distance uphill! I can tell you I didn't wash often that week.

The most important lesson I learned was one of respect: respect for other people's traditions and ways of life. When you go to someone's house you follow their rules, or try to where you can. Visiting someone in their own village is the same: just watch what people do, and don't be afraid to ask questions - you can't be expected to know everything. The fact that you're reading about the culture already will help prepare you for your visit.

It makes sense that people might not want you to visit isolated towns without someone to accompany you. After all, if they live differently, it's probably because they want to.

Keeping traditional cultures alive is difficult, with the pervasiveness of the Internet and television and cell phones. So a group of people who have chosen (because I can't conceive of this being anything other than a choice) this style of life would want to safeguard it, hence the need to tread lightly. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity!

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