Customs and TraditionsNative American Customs and Traditions in North America

Custom:An accepted way of doing something in a culture

Tradition:A set of customs that groups of people create over time

Folklore:A group’s stories and customs

★ Folklore is used to pass the customs and traditions on to younger generations by way of the older generations

Ceremony:A set of activities done for a special purpose

★ Think of:○ weddings○ birthdays○ graduations○ funerals

Religion:A system of belief, faith, and worship

★ Think of:○ Church/temple/place of worship○ How people came to be on Earth○ What happens when you die○ Thoughts of a higher power

Desert Southwest:Kachina dolls:● Made by the Hopi tribe (and others in the area)● Represented Spirits of the ancestors● Thought to be the protectors of the people● Made out of the Cottonwood tree’s roots● Given to children to teach about the ancestors● Made by experts in the tribe● Over 200 different Kachinas

More facts about Kachinas● Most were kind and gave out presents of

children who followed the way of living● Men dressed as the Kachinas once a year

and performed a ceremony● It was thought that the spirits of the Kachinas

replaced the human spirits during the ritual

Images:

Making a Kachina doll

Kiva: ● A round, partially under ground Pueblo

meeting place used for:● ceremonies● planning● discussing government● children learned about the Hopi religion in

the Kiva