The (also known as Tsu'tiki or Tsu'tiva ) is a sacred and ancient 16-day ritual performed by the Hopi people of northeastern Arizona. Rooted in deep spiritual traditions, the ceremony is a dramatized prayer for rain, agricultural fertility, and communal harmony. It is primarily conducted biennially in late August by members of the Snake and Antelope clans . Cultural and Spiritual Significance
Leaders of the Snake and Antelope fraternities begin making pahos (prayer sticks) during the winter solstice to set the stage for the August rites. snake_dance
Dancers typically work in groups of three: a carrier who holds a live snake (often in their mouth), a hugger who strokes the snake with an eagle-feather whip to keep it calm, and a gatherer who retrieves the snakes once they are released on the ground. The (also known as Tsu'tiki or Tsu'tiva )
After the dance, the snakes are carried to special shrines in the open desert and released in four cardinal directions to deliver the community's prayers. Contemporary Access Cultural and Spiritual Significance Leaders of the Snake