Much of this sort of thing takes on a lighter, theatrical flavor
amounting to a pageant of great fun and frolic. Dr. Hough says these are
really the most characteristic ceremonies of the pueblos, musical,
spectacular, delightfully entertaining, and they show the cheerful Hopi
at his best--a true, spontaneous child of nature.

There are a great many of these Kachina dances through the winter and
spring, their nature partly religious, partly social, for with the Hopi,
religion and drama go hand in hand. Dr. Hough speaks appreciatively of
these numerous occasions of wholesome merry-making, and says these
things keep the Hopi out of mischief and give them a reputation for
minding their own business, besides furnishing them with the best round
of free theatrical entertainments enjoyed by any people in the world.
Since every ceremony has its particular costumes, rituals, songs, there
is plenty of variety in these matters and more detail of meaning than
any outsider has ever fathomed.

The Niman, or farewell dance of the Kachinas, takes place in July. It is
one of their big nine-day festivals, including secret rites in the kivas
and a public dance at its close.

Messengers are sent on long journeys for sacred water, pine boughs, and
other special objects for these rites. This is a home-coming festival
and a Hopi will make every effort to get home to his own town for this
event. On the ninth day there is a lovely pageant just before sunrise
and another in the afternoon. No other ceremony shows such a gorgeous
array of colorful masks and costumes. And it is a particularly happy day
for the young folk, for the Kachinas bring great loads of corn, beans,
and melons, and baskets of peaches, especially as gifts for the