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.