Kykotsmovi

Immerse yourself in the magic of Arizona’s Hopiland. The village of Kykotsmovi, on Third Mesa, is one of many starting points for exploration.

A little bit of serendipity goes a long way in the villages of Hopiland.

Hopi residents refer to the Third Mesa village of Kykotsmovi simply as “K-Town.” Its name loosely translates as “pile of rubble,” a reference to the many ruins that are strewn across the mesa.

Kykotsmovi is the headquarters of the Hopi Tribe, a sovereign nation. The Hopi here are progressive and welcome all to visit. If you want to play it loose, inquire at the trading post on Main Street or the Community Service Office; local guides are often available to show you around and help you discover petroglyphs, the elementary school with its beautiful masonry, maybe even welcome you into a private home.

The famed Hopi dances – Katsina ceremonial and butterfly social dance being the most well-known – are not announced in advance, but instead follow cycles of the moon. Day ceremonies are clustered around Easter and Labor Day weekends; nighttime kiva ceremonies occur in January and February. If you stumble upon one, count yourself lucky. The culture is enchanting; Senator Barry Goldwater spent years of his life traveling, photographing, and collecting Hopi artwork.