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  American Folklife Center  Diana Cohen Hopi Religion Collection

Diana Cohen Hopi Religion Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AFC 1978/003

Scope and Content Note

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1974

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English and Hopi .

Access and Restrictions

Duplication of the collection materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions. Collection is open for research. To request materials, please contact the Folklife Reading Room at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.contact

Extent

1 sound recording (90 min.) : analog, 7 1/2 ips, stereo. ; 10 in.

Abstract

A sound recording of songs and discussion about aspects of Hopi religion, including dance. It was made by Diana Cohen in the spring of 1974 in Second Mesa, Arizona, and documents an informal gathering of families at the home of Ferrell Secakuku, leader of his village, songwriter, and dancer.

Arrangement

The collection is organized by format into the following series: I. Sound Recordings.

Acquisition

The collection was donated by Diana Cohen in 1978.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Processing History

The collection was processed by Michelle Forner in 1994. Valda Morris revised and encoded the collection finding aid in EAD in December 2012.

Source

Subject

Title
Guides to the Collections in the Archive of Folk Culture
Subtitle
AFC 1978/003
Author
Prepared by Michelle Forner
Date
September 1994
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Part of the American Folklife Center Repository

Contact:
American Folklife Center Reading Room
101 Independence AV, SE
Thomas Jefferson Building, G31
Washington, DC 20540-4810
(202) 707-5510