top of page

Tawa Legacy of Orayvi

Leaving the Hopi of Oraibi Sun Clan Legacy for Future Generations

Tawa Legacy of Orayvi is a group of Hopi People and friends who are intent on rebuilding and restoring the Sun Clan and other houses and ceremonial spaces of Old Oraibi Village.  These homes are among the oldest continuously inhabited residences in the Western Hemisphere and they are at this moment quickly becoming unrecognizable ruins.  We look to accumulate the resources to keep these rich traditions of Native American culture alive.

Home: Welcome

Who We Are and What We Do

Lending a Helping Hand

Orayvi (Old Oraibi), Arizona, established in 1100 A.D., is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. The Sun or Tawa House there is used by the Sun Clan to gather and to celebrate the Summer Solstice.  This is the home of their Wuya. The Sun Clan see themselves as the Mothers for all people. Michelle is now the sole member of the Sun Clan who still has a home in Oraibi. The Hopi people of Orayvi have great hope that with your help we can restore their homes and ceremonial houses to a condition that honors their sacred tradition.  The Tawa Legacy of Orayvi has been established to assure that this will happen.

Home: About

How We Help

It Starts With the Will to Make a Difference

During the Kachina dances in the plaza in Orayvi, the Hopi people watch from the roof of the Sun Clan house and other nearby rooftops. This location is vital to them in their ceremonial life. Their culture and history needs to be preserved for generations to come. With your integral financial assistance, the Sun Clan may greet a new day with hope in their hearts. You can be a part of helping to preserve this ancient Native American culture. Time is of the essence.

Tawa House

In the Tawa house, along the Western Wall hang Kachina dolls collected by the young girls of the family during Niman dances.  On the eastern wall is a window through which the sun shines as it rises early in the morning. Close to this window is a small hole, about the size of someone’s finger in the South wall.  When the sun hits this spot directly, it is time for the family to celebrate the summer solstice and make the prayer feathers for everything in the universe. This hole is still used as an early adopted calendar to plan the Hopi year.

DSC_3449.JPG

The House with the Snake Shrine

There is another house is in the village which is the house where Michelle grew up. It belonged to the Sun Clan as well. Her Great Aunts and Uncles cared for her in this house and it is where she spent most of her time when she first came to Old Oraibi at around 3 or 4 years old. Underneath the house is a shrine to the Snakes and for the Snake Clan of the village. This house is no longer inhabitable and is nearly in ruins.

​

image1.jpeg

Want to learn how you can support our valuable causes?

Home: Our Causes

The time of the one wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word ’struggle’ from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.


We are the ones we have been waiting for.

Hopi Elder's- Prophecy 2000

Home: Quote
DSC_3713.JPG

Contact Us

Oraibi, Kykotsmovi Village, AZ 86039, USA

tawalegacy@gmail.com

707-205-9471

  • facebook

Thanks for submitting!

Home: Contact
Home: Blog2 Custom Feed
bottom of page