The Hopi have a legacy of celestial observations that spans thousands of years. This knowledge intertwines with cultural identity, ceremony, rituals and daily practices such as agriculture.

For the Hopi this is known as Navoti - ancient knowledge and experiences passed from ancestors to their descendants. The Hopi continue their astronomical practices to preserve and add to this knowledge of understanding the cosmos.

A Hopi couple sit in an underground structure called a Kiva. This Kiva is often used fort ceremonies and rituals. It’s also a platform oriented in specific directions to aide in celestial observations.

A Hopi woman holds a ear of corn, a source of life and symbol of the Hopi people. A member of a women’s religious society, she uses the kiva’s rooftop opening for celestial observations. A Hopi male holds a knotted string to track the days in relation to when specific events will occur. He holds the position of “Sun Watcher”, who observes the passage of the Sun across the sky to mark when ceremonies occur within the Hopi calendar.

The back wall is a depiction of a painting on a pueblo site known as the “Moon House” occupied during two total solar eclipses in 1257 and 1259 CE. These events were painted on the pueblo walls.

About The Artist:
Gerald Dawavendewa grew up in the village of Munqapi on the Hopi Nation, 
and has focused on exploring the Hopi view of the universe throughout his diverse career. 
He holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Arizona. 
Gerald has served as a scientific technical illustrator at the U of A Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, 
leading to an invitation to create artwork sent aboard the space shuttle Endeavor.

Gerald’s personal mission is to educate the public on the richness of Hopi culture. 
His section of the mural depicts the night sky and represents celestial bodies using traditional 
Hopi symbols and colors.

Wood pencil round #2 with full color imprint and eraser. Unsharpened only.