Hopi Indians Essay Example for Free

Hopi Indians Essay The name Moqui, or Moki, by which they have been popularly known, means dead in their own language, but as a tribal name it is seemingly of alien origin and of undetermined signification Bandelier and Cushing believed the Hopi country, the later province of Tusayan, to be identical with the Totonteac of Fray Marcos de Niza. The Hopi first became known to white men in the summer of 1540 Located in Arizona Buildings like steps Natacka Festival: This festival is somewhat like Halloween, only the trick and treaters are adult men. During the 9-day Hopi purification ceremony, giant Natackas (men in costume) go from house to house, begging. The Natackas hoot and whistle if they are turned down. Jewelry: The southwestern tribes used turquoise to make jewelry, and still do. They believed turquoise was the stone of happiness, health, and good fortune. Before kids could become adults and marry, they had to pass a test of courage. Girls would go off with the women, and boys with the men. The actual coming of age ceremony for each individual was secret. But all ceremonies were tests of courage. Infants: A blanket and a perfect ear of corn were given to an infant child. Parents couldn’t name the babies, the village leaders had to. Naming a baby was very important to the Hopi. Everyone in the village made suggestions. The parents would not be the ones to finally name the baby. That honor was reserved for the tribal or village leaders, not the parents. But everyone in the family could come with blessings and give suggestions of names for the baby. Have their own reservation called Hopi Reservation The Hopi Way is one of peace and is holistic; their name Hopituh Shi-nu-mu, can be interpreted as The Peaceful Little People. All of daily life is part of their religion, and their belief is to help others improve their life. Twelve clan groups, called phratries, have many clans within them, each with its own ceremonies and sacred fetishes. Though men are the religious leaders, the children inherit the clan of their mother. Though the men own the livestock and the fruit trees, the women own all the land, even that under the fruit trees. As many as 24 varieties of corn are grown and due to arid conditions the roots may grow 20 feet down. Each plant has many ears of corn. To supplement the staple of corn the Hopi gather more than 100 wild plants. Kivas are the center of religious life and are mostly used by the men. Stone walls line the underground chambers and a hole sipapu in the floor of the kiva symbolizes the exit from the ant peoples domain. Religion is life for the Hopi and binds the village into a solid community. Most ceremonies relate to rain. Katsinas or kachinas, of which there are about 350, are the guarding spirits that come down from their world at winter solstice, remaining in the people until summer solstice. Saquasohuh is believed by some to represent the Hale-Bopp comet. The Wuwuchim ceremony includes a song that tells of this, and this song was sang in 1914, preceeding WWI, in 1940, pre WWII, and again in 1961. The Hopi say that the emergence into the Fifth World of the future has begun. The sacred clowns of the Hopi have a unique function in their society and the religious right to enact by negative example what should not be done. Humiliation and ridicule are their methods, and no one is immune to their rudeness. Stripping another naked is not going too far. Misbehavior of people in the community is dramatized, and the culprit takes the hint. The clowns are the ultimate tradition keepers. If work needs to be done the clowns recruit the workers. They cannot be denied. White ways, such as money, missionaries, and teachers sent to the Hopi have been the subject of the clowns derision. The Hopi are skilled in weaving, dyeing, and embroidering blankets, belts, and kilts. Their textile work is durable, and shows a great variety of weaves. The dark-blue blanket of the Hopi woman is an important article of commerce among the Pueblos, and their embroidered ceremonial blankets, sashes, and kilts made of cotton have a ready sale among neighboring tribes. Although the Hopi ceramic art has somewhat deteriorated in modern times, fair pottery is still made among the people of Hano, where one family has revived the superior art of the earlier villagers. They weave basketry in a great variety of ways at the Middle Mesa pueblos and in Oraibi; but, with the exception of the familiar sacred-meal plaques, which are well made and brightly colored, the workmanship is crude. The Hopi are clever in making masks and other religious paraphernalia from hides, and excel in carving and painting dolls, representing kachinas, which are adorned with bright feathers and cloth. They likewise manufacture mechanical toys, which are exhibited in some of their dramatic entertainments. Nowhere among the aborigines of North America are the Hopi excelled in dramaturgic exhibitions, in some of which their imitations of birds and other animals are marvelously realistic. Most ceremonies relate to rain. Katsinas or kachinas, of which there are about 350, are the guarding spirits that come down from their world at winter solstice, remaining in the people until summer solstice. White ways, such as money, missionaries, and teachers sent to the Hopi have been the subject of the clowns derision. The clowns are the ultimate tradition keepers. If work needs to be done the clowns recruit the workers. They cannot be denied. The sacred clowns of the Hopi have a unique function in their society and the religious right to enact by negative example what should not be done. Humiliation and ridicule are their methods, and no one is immune to their rudeness. Stripping another naked is not going too far. Misbehavior of people in the community is dramatized, and the culprit takes the hint.

Media Portrayal of Environmental Risk Essay -- essays research papers

Media Portrayal of Environmental Risk: Dissemination or Delusion? Transmission of ideas and information through media avenues like television and the press are the predominant means by which much of contemporary culture and the developed world obtain vital information. The media has an enormous impact on the public’s conceptualization of ideals: societal perceptions are shaped by the information made available to us through the different venues of media. Examining how the transmittal of information regarding environmental risk is disseminated by the media and accepted by society exposes an evident quandary. The media repeatedly broadcasts data that instead of informing people with beneficial news adversely invokes situations of tumult and unnecessary fear. Ramifications of the fictitious diffusion of information about environmental risks, or non-risks, to society include more than just the proliferation of misinformation. Circulation of wrongful environmental risk data has detrimental effects on businesses, industry and economy. Misinforming people about environmental risk undermines policies and government actions that are based on media hype or contentious scientific information. Abating the problematic and detrimental tendency of media misconstruing information about environmental risks will require a multifaceted collaboration between the media, the public, government and the scientific community. A problem complicating environmental policy and risk reporting is largely attributable to media players, politicians and scientists overstepping their boundaries into realms they are not qualified to operate in. Scientists must avoid getting involved in the environmental policy debate. Conversely, politicians must not attempt to reason on scientifically sensitive issues as if they are scientists. Risk is defined as the severity of the consequences of an accident or a hazard like a toxin multiplied by the probability of its occurrence. Risks will exist indefinitely however we attempt to reduce risk by either reducing the probability or severity of the hazard. (Bahr, 1997) People must learn, including the media, to â€Å"balance the risks and thus steer a safe course through the potential minefield known as life†. The process by which people perceive risk is dependent on what knowledge they attain and what information is made available. (Neely, 1994) Thus th... ...sic Science of Poisons (pp. 75-88). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Friedman, S. (1996). The Media, Risk Assessment and Numbers: They don’t Add Up. RISK: Health, Safety & Environment, Franklin Pierce Law Center. Retrieved March 20, 2005 from http://www.piercelaw.edu/risk/vol5/summer/friedman.htm Gough, M. â€Å"Which Environmental Risks Are Worth Addressing?† Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. [Speech]. Cato Institute. 22 November, (1996). Retrieved April 18, 2005 from http://www.cato.org/speeches/sp-mg112296.html Neely, W. B., (1994). Introduction to Chemical Exposure and Risk Assessment. Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC Rosenbaum, W. (2005). Environmental Politics and Policy. Washington DC: CQ Press Salvato, J. A., (1992). Environmental Engineering and Sanitation (Environmental   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Science and Technology). Canada: John Wiley & Sons Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. (1996) Retrieved April 12, 2005, from http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp Time’s Schneider Resigns; Will Be Michigan Land Use Advocate. (1995, May) Environment Writer, 7 (2) Retrieved on April 19, 2005, from http://www.nsc.org/ehc/ew/issues/ew95may.htm#schneider

Election in the Philippines Essay

â€Å"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities,† said Dumbledore of one of my favourite books, Harry Potter. Was my ‘direct speech’ properly-written? *stereotypical-cheerleader-giggle* Being a democratic country, we are given the opportunity to choose our country’s leaders in a marvel called ‘election’. But in a country where officials use their position for graft and corruption and enjoy a monopoly of political power to the disadvantage of rival leaders called â€Å"political dynasty†. Some of them even resort to unfair if not illegal means to keep their political rivals out of office: corruption, fraud, violence, vote-buying and intimidation. Graft and corruption in the Philippines has long been a topic of concern for those interested in improving the conditions in the area. The corruption of government officials and the failure of governmental leaders to use their position of power wisely has led to ongoing financial hardship throughout the nation and restricted its economic growth and cultural development. Since its inception, the Philippines has been known as an area suffering from such severe corruption. Moreover, the issue of political dynasties has heated up in relation to the 2013 candidates for the Senate who come from one and the same family or clan and thus bear the same surname as another senator, or President Aquino himself. In this sense, loud public criticism and some cynicism greeted the announcement of senatorial candidates for the 2013 elections. One set belongs to the majority coalition: Bam Aquino, the President’s cousin; Sen. Alan Peter, brother of Sen. Pia Cayetano and others. Under the banner of the United Nationalist Alliance, led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, the senatorial candidates include his eldest daughter, Nancy; Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. who would be joining his father, the Senate President; Rep. J.V. Ejercito who would join his brother, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. In this rumpus, we can also cite many provinces and cities with political dynasties giving no opportunity to other aspiring leaders which may be more competent. The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, *ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made government ofiicials should on no account be allowed to do the job. This year is our chance to contend with this. Make shrewd decisions and choices because our choices will affect our future. In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers. In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to infinity of choices. Choices. Choices. Choices. You are doomed to make them. This is life’s greatest paradox. The chains continue to ignite. I am part of the chain; you are part of the chain. Can we be chains of positive change? For sure, none would claim he has seen three sides of a coin. Decisions, coming by two, are always placed in the individual’s capacity to discern truthfulness and goodness against fallacy or wickedness. Are you HEADing out for a brighter country free from corruption and poverty or are you TAILing down on a movement towards gloomy befouled Philippines?

Reading Comprehension Dialogues for ESL/EFL Lessons

These reading comprehension/dialogues provide an opportunity for both reading and speaking practice. Each dialogue is also followed by a multiple choice quiz for comprehension practice. Each dialogue is listed under the appropriate level with a short introduction regarding target areas for speaking practice. Teachers can check out the ideas on how to use dialogues in class and print them out for use. Beginner - Lower Intermediate The City and the Country - Comparative form, as ... asInterview with a Famous Actor - Daily routines, present simpleWhats in Your Office? - Use of there is / there are, prepositions and office furniture vocabularyWhat Were You Doing? - Use of the past continuous in combination with the past simpleThe Oregon Weather Forecast - Use of the future with will for predictions, weather vocabularyA Business Presentation - This dialogue allows practice of the present perfectAn Interview - Allows practice of the superlative formIntroductions - Basic questions used when meeting someone for the first timeBasic Personal Information - Questions related to name, address, and marital statusThe Meeting - Schedules, future plans.A New Office - This, that, some, and any with objects.Cooking - Daily routines and hobbies.Abilities and Skills - Using can, and able to, making suggestions.A Busy Day - Plans for the day, responsibilities with have to.Planning a Party - Future with will and going to Making Phone Calls Practice making phone calls with these dialogues that cover making doctors appointments, leaving messages, making dinner reservations, calling school about your child, and asking questions about your bills. Business English Deliveries and SuppliersTaking a MessagePlacing an OrderTomorrows MeetingBusiness Meetings English for Medical Purposes Dialogues Making an Appointment with the DentistMaking a Doctors AppointmentDental Check-up - Doctor and PatientDental Hygiene - Dental Hygienist and PatientDental ReceptionistTroubling Symptoms - Doctor and PatientJoint Pain - Doctor and PatientA Physical Examination - Doctor and PatientPain that Comes and Goes - Doctor and PatientA Prescription - Doctor and PatientHelping a Patient - Nurse and Patient Professional Dialogues Cleaning Staff - Vocabulary and requests dealing with cleaning rooms and taking care of guestsA Drink at the Bar - Vocabulary and situations related to serving customers at a barSpeaking to a Customer Service Representative - Disputing a bill over the telephone Making Casual Conversation A Chat With a Neighbor  - Using the present perfect, present perfect continuous and past simple interchangeablyDirections  - Giving and asking for directions.Having a Hard Time Finding a Job - Speaking about finding a job, with a focus on reported speech