unhappy instances of famine, pestilence, and civil strife, which have
been brought upon various clans because of their having neglected their
old dances and ceremonies, and of relief and restored prosperity having
followed their resumption. Once, bad behavior brought on a flood.

Here is the story, and it will explain at least partially, the
ceremonial use of turkey feathers.


=A Flood and Turkey Feathers=

Turkey feathers are much prized for ceremonial uses today. If you want
to carry a little present to a Hopi friend, particularly an old man, or
an old woman, save up a collection of especially nice looking turkey
feathers. They will be put to ceremonial uses and bring blessings to
their owners.

Here is at least one of the legends back of the idea, as collected by
Stephen and reported by Mindeleff.[31] The chief of the water people
speaks:

"In the long ago, the Snake, Horn, and Eagle people lived here (in
Tusayan), but their corn grew only a span high, and when they sang for
rain the cloud sent only a thin mist. My people then lived in the
distant Palatkiwabi in the South. There was a very bad old man there,
who, when he met anyone, would spit in his face, blow his nose upon him,
and rub ordure upon him. He ravished the girls and did all manner of
evil. (Note: Other variants of the legend say the young men were
mischievously unkind and cruel to the old men, rather than that an old
man was bad. H.G.L.) Baholikonga (big water serpent deity) got angry at