What is the Powamu Ceremony?

The powamu ceremony is one of the most important Hopi ceremonies. It occurs in February of each year in most of the Hopi villages. In actuality it is not a single ceremony but a cluster of several important events that are interwoven. Most years the ceremony is presented in an abbreviated form. However, In years when the tribal initiation of the young men is held, the Pachavu Ceremony will be attached to the Powamu, and the ceremony is presented in its full, unabridged form.

Undoubtedly the most important aspect of the Powamu ceremony is the anticipation of the coming growing season, with ritual designed to promote fertility and germination. To accomplish this the Powamu chief appears as Muyingwa, the principal deity of germination, and every male who how has been initiated into the Kachina cult is expected to grow beans in the kivas. The growing of these bean sprouts gives the ceremony its popular name, and offers omens for the success for the growing season. The ceremonial processionof the Pachavu Manas carrying these bean sprouts and the presentation of ritual bundles of them to the women and children during the height of the winter are tangible evidence of the presence of Muyingwa. Second in importance is the initiation of the children into the Kachina society at this time. Powamu officers serve as fathers of the kachinas at this time reinforcing the relationship between the Powamu and Kachina Cult.

 

Incorporated into the Powamu are historical or mythological events which are given as dramatic presentations. The relationships between the Village chief and his clan with the clans of the pother chiefs are emphasized. Most of these events are accompanied by the impersonation of a great many  Chief Kachinas. These presentations allow all men and kachinas in positions of authority before the village.

 

In addition to these rites there is a strong educational aspect that appears throughout the entire ceremony. The incorporation of the Soyoko ceremony with its disciplinary emphasis on the younger children and the feeling that all have bought their lives for another year is a part of this. The whipping of the children who are initiated to emphasize the need for secrecy might also be included.

The presentation of these rituals brings forth an enormous number of kachinas. Some of these are present but never be seen by outsiders or, for, that matter, by most of the Hopis. Other kachinas appear only during Pachavu or Initiation or at irregular intervals.