sumi'nangwa, nami'nangwa, hita'nangwa

There is a Hopi man from Songoopavi village on Second Mesa that wrote a piece called A Hopi (Traditional Values and Visions of). Part of it goes like this:

A Hopi... is one who fulfills the meaning of Sumi'nangwa and will come together to do activities for the benefit of all, out of a compelling desire and commitment to contribute or return something of value or benefit to the society;
A Hopi... is one who fulfills the meaning of Nami'nangwa by helping one another or give aid in times of need, without having to be asked to do so and without expecting compensation for the deed;
A Hopi... is one who fulfills the meaning of Hita'nangwa by having the initiative to take care of something without having to be instructed, asked or reminded regardless if anyone will notice your effort but that it will make a difference.

I just returned home from 17 days in Bacavi village, helping to build a house with Red Feather for Leslie and Donnie, such gracious people. Leslie was at the site one evening, talking with us and sharing her life with us. One of her comments about Red Feather was that the organization and its volunteers are showing their community "how to be Hopi again." This struck me as such a profound compliment because she was referring to everyone coming together to build a house in the spirit of Sumi'-, Nami'- and Hita'nangwa. They might take the form of Hopi words, but they are ways of living that we should all strive to reach. In spending time with Red Feather, you get covered in straw, or sweat, or paint, or drywall dust, but you're surrounded by people, Hopi or otherwise, from all over the world who are living these concepts.

me and Donnie at Dawa Park
Click on any of the photos to link to the entire album.