Diana Cohen Hopi Religion Collection
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.
Catalog Record
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
- Cohen, Diana (Creator, Organization)
Subject
- Becker, Diana (Person)
- Secakuku, Ferrell (Person)
- 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
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