Monday, June 2, 2008

Suvoyuki Day At Homolovi Ruins State Park Coming In July www.homolovi.com

"Suvoyuki" translated in the Hopi language means to accomplish work through at "joint effort." "Suvoyuki Day" is an open house day at Homolovi Ruins State Park that celebrates the partners who have helped to protect & save Homolovi area archaeological & cultural sites from destruction.

The event begins on July 11th, at 7 pm with a talk about the Hopi culture. On July 12th, the day begins at 6 am with a traditional Hopi morning run (4 & 6.5 miles) with all participants invited. Following the run, the Hopi corn roasting pit will be opened & all will get a taste of freshly roasted sweet corn. Throughout the day, there will be Hopi artist demonstrations, traditional food demonstrations & lectures. Archaeologists will also be there to interpret the sites. Parking will be available on the northeast corner of Interstate 40 & State Route 87. Shuttle service will then be available from there to the park.

Pre-registration is available now. There is a $10 registration fee that can be paid on the day of the run. You may also register the day of the run but must be there no later than 5 am. The run will begin promptly at 6 am & will be on a cross-country trail course through the park. There will be t-shirts, refreshments & a prize drawing for run & walk participants. Begin the day with a Hopi prayer for life & strength on this run and walk.

On July 13th, visitors can travel north on Highway 87 to Sipaulovi Village, paralleling an ancient Hopi migration route to the community center at Second Mesa, Arizona. Sunday's events at Sipaulovi feature tours of the village, speakers, vendors of traditional foods, artists & other special activities including a Fun Run at 6 am.

Homolovi Ruins, one of a series of many ancient Hopi pueblos found in the Southwest, offers the public the opportunity to begin their journey into Hopi life & culture. Like the modern visitor making their way to Hopi, the Homolovi ancestral villages were a stop for the ancestral Hopi people along their migration route, eventually moving on & settling at one of the current Hopi villages. We can share their experience by viewing the village ruins that remain as cultural remnants of Hopi prehistory.

Hopi Tribal leaders & Arizona State Parks staff have been collaborating for 5 years to create a new model for park management & tourism to traditional Hopi lands which will preserve & protect the sacred culture, while offering special cultural tour opportunities for the public.

For more information about Suvoyuki Day call Homolovi Ruins State Park at (928) 289-4106 or visit:
homolovi.com. Homolovi Ruins State Park is located 5 miles northeast of the city of Winslow, in northeastern Arizona. The park campground is convenient to I-40 & accommodates large rigs, as well as tent camping.