Description

Trading Post at Polacca on the Hopi Reservation.

The town of Polacca is located in northeastern Arizona on the Colorado Plateau. It is a community located below the villages of the First Mesa.

Polacca got its name (originally pronounced Poo la ka ka) from Tom Polacca, brother to Nampeyo, the famous potter. He was a man of many talents, being fluent in many languages (Hopi, Tewa, Zuni, Spanish, English, etc.) and having a great mind for innovation. He was also the first businessman on the Hopi Reservation.

Included in Polacca are: a convenience store, three churches, a Head Start school, an elementary school, and a health care center. In Polacca, crops consist of corn, lima beans, grapes, squash, apricots, watermelon, and peaches. Corn is an important and sacred crop to the Hopi people.

Blue corn is used to make somiviki, piki, tortillas, and pancakes. Squash is an important part of the Hopi diet, and has been used to make both eating utensils and musical instruments. Polacca residents also raise cattle, horses, chickens, goats, and sheep. Mutton is a vital part of the diet during ceremonial and other events, such as baby naming and wedding ceremonies. Residents also produce a variety of elegant arts and crafts, such as pottery, Kachina dolls, rattles, bows & arrows, baskets, jewelry and oil painting.

NOTE: Sharlot Hall Museum Research Center has more Hopi photographs; however these are restricted and can only be viewed by approval from the Hopi Cultural Center (email: info@hopiculturalcenter.com or telephone 928-734-2401).