Thomas and the Chu'tiva Snake Dance

The story of "Thomas and the Chu'tiva Snake Dance" describes the adventures of a young Hopi Indian boy Thomas Polywetewa as he learns about his Hopi people. The important Hopi summer ceremony provides the basis for Thomas's adventure. It describes Hopi life, including the snake dance or Chu'tiva, a complex ceremonial dance of the Hopis living on Second Mesa in Northern Arizona. In the book, Thomas learns more about his culture from his grandfather, the most important elder in his family's Snake Clan. In doing so, Thomas is allowed to participate in a snake hunt, an important ceremonial race, and meets the President Ted Roosevelt. Together they watch the snake dance, the last and most important activity of the summer ceremony. Hoping to please the Hopi spirits, the ceremony is intended to assure the Hopi's plentiful summer rains that feed their lands, its gardens, and fruit trees. "Thomas and the Chu'tiva Snake Dance" is a wonderful story that introduces readers to the fantastic culture of the Hopi indigenous people and the main character Thomas who strives to live "The Hopi Way."