The Tanoan epoch in the chronology of Hopi pottery symbolism is markedly
different from the Keresan. It began with the influx of Tanoan clans,
either directly or by way of Zuñi and the Little Colorado, being
represented in modern times by the early creations of Hano women, like
Nampeo. It is clearly marked and readily distinguished from the Sikyatki
epoch, being well represented in eastern museums by pottery collected
from Hano, the Tewan pueblo on the East Mesa.
Migrations of Tanoan clans into the Hopi country began very early in Hopi
history, but waves of colonists with Tanoan kinship came to Walpi at
the close of the seventeenth century as a result of the great rebellion
(1680), when the number of colonists from the Rio Grande pueblos was
very large. The Badger, Kachina, Asa, and Hano clans seem to have been
the most numerous and important in modifying sociological conditions,
especially at the East Mesa of the Hopi. Some of these came directly
to Walpi, others entered by way of Zuñi, and still others by way of
Awatobi. They brought with them Tanoan and Keresan symbolism and Little
Colorado elements, all of which were incorporated. The Tanoan symbols are
very difficult to differentiate individually but created a considerable
modification in the artistic products, as a whole.
The symbolism that the colonists from the Little Colorado settlements
brought to Walpi was mixed in character, containing certain Gila Valley
elements. Among the last-mentioned were increments derived directly
from Zuñi, as shown in the symbolism of their pottery. Among the most
important thus introduced were contributions of the Asa, Kachina, Badger,
and Butterfly clans. The most important element from the Little Colorado
clans that originally came from the Gila Valley (Palatkwabi) are those
connected with the plumed serpent.[50] It is possible to trace successive
epochs in the history of ceramic decoration in the Little Colorado ruins
and to identify, in a measure, the clans with which these epochs were
associated, but to follow out this identification in this paper would
take me too far afield and lead into a discussion of areas far distant
from the Hopi, for it belongs more especially to the history of ceramic
decorations of Zuñi decoration and composition.[51] In the present
article all the Little Colorado influences are treated as belonging to
the Tanoan epoch, which seems to have been the dominant one in the Little
Colorado when emigration, comparatively modern in time, began to Hopi.