Existing comment:
A Community Sharing the Land:
This was a community of relatives and neighbors. Its members worked together to haul water, hunt animals, and gather plants. They likely assisted each other with large fields on the rims. They shared walls and resources, joy and sorrow, success and failure.
While cross-canyon dwellings may seem difficult to reach, a network of paths quickly closed the gaps. Close communication between households would have been common and necessary to a cooperative lifestyle.
At least five cliff dwellings are visible from here; not all are on the same level.
"Hopis build their houses close to each other to remind them that they are supposed to love each other. When a man decided to build a house... he gathered the materials provided by nature and drew from his reserve of good will (and that of his relatives) among his clan and friends, acquired from his own participation in such cooperative projects."
-- From Me and Mine: The Life Story of Helen Seicaquaptewa as told to Louise Udall |