Hopi Snake Dance

The Hopi Snake Dance is performed by the Hopi Indians in the Northeastern part of Arizona once a year to worship the spirits who control the clouds and rain, the snakes are brothers of the spirits, this is why they call it the "Snake Dance". The performance is done so with live snakes, fringed sashes symbolizing falling rain, and gourds containing pieces of rice to re-enact the sound of rain. Without rain the crops and animals would die, forcing the Indians to relocate and find a new home, which can be dangerous and fatal.