Soyal is the winter solstice ceremony of the Zuni and the Hopi (Hopitu Shinumu), The Peaceful Ones, also known as the Hopi Indians. It is held on December 21, the shortest day of the year. The main purpose of the ritual is to ceremonially bring the sun back from its long winter slumber. It also marks the beginning of another cycle of the Wheel of the Year, and is a time for purification. Pahos, prayer sticks, are made prior to the Soyal ceremony, to bless all the community, including their homes, animals, and plants. The sacred underground ritual chambers, called kivas, are ritually opened to mark the beginning of the Kachina season.

[edit] See also

Winter solstice

[edit] Sources

• Bahti, Tom. "Southwestern Indian Ceremonials". KC Publications.1970.p36-40.
• "HOPI: The Real Thing".[1]04/15/02.

v • d • e Winter Solstice/Midwinter Festivals Africa Goru: Mali (Dogon) • Dzon'ku Nu†: West Africa (Papaws) Americas Inti Raymi°: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador (Inca†) • Jonkonnu°: Caribbean° (African-American) • Soyal: USA (Zuni, Hopi) • Wayeb': Guatamala° (Maya) • We Tripantu: Chile (Mapuche) Antarctica Midwinter: Research stations (International) Asia Amaterasu†: Japan • Choimus: Pakistan (Kalash) • Deygān, Maidyarem°: (Zoroastrian) • Dōngzhì, Tōji: (East Asian) • Makara Sankranti°: India, Nepal (Hindu) • Sanghamitta Day: Sri Lanka (Buddhist) • Şeva Zistanê: (Kurdish) • Shab-e Chelleh: Iran (Persian) Europe Beiwe: (Saami) • Brumalia†: Ancient Greece • Christmas: Roman Empire° (Christian) • Dies Natalis Solis Invicti†: Roman Empire • Deuorius Riuri†: Gaul • Hogmanay°: Scotland • Karachun°: (West Slavs) • Mōdraniht†: Western Germany (Matres and Matrones) • Midvinterblót†: Sweden (Norse) • Montol Festival, Mummer's Day°: Cornwall (Celts) • Saturnalia†: Rome • Wren's Day°: Ireland, Isle of Man, Wales (Celts) • Yule, Jul°: (Germanic) • Ziemassvētki: Baltic (Romuva) † dagger indicates extinction. ° degree symbol indicates changes in date, name or location. ( ) indicate demographic