th were instructed by Maasawu, the Earth god, to take care of their land and abide by a philosophy of humility and cooperation. In order to honor their sacred vows to Maasawu, the Hopi leaders initiated the tradition of maintaining harmonious relationships with the supernatural beings of the Hopi world through sacred rituals. Hopi men who perform in these ceremonies wear masks to represent the Katsinamùthe spiritual messengers of the Hopi gods--who visit the Hopis from December to July. Through these ceremonies, the Hopis send their prayers to the gods to ensure the harmony of all living things and good harvests. Thus, every componen
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