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Soyal is the winter solstice ceremony of the Hopitu Shinumu, "The Peaceful Ones", also known as the Hopi Indians. It is held on December 21st, 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 kivas (sacred underground ritual chambers) are ritually opened to mark the beginning of the Kachina season.
Sources Cited: Bahti, Tom. "Southwestern Indian Ceremonials". KC Publications.1970.p36-40. "HOPI: The Real Thing".http://www.ausbcomp.com/redman/hopi.htm.04/15/02. This Manual of Style has the simple purpose of making things easy to read by following a consistent format — it is a style guide. ... Hopi woman dressing hair of unmarried girl. ...
At Oraibi there is a further association of the village chieftainship with the Soyal ceremony, and the officers of the Soyal constitute the top religious hierarchy, a step perhaps in the direction of a central religious ruling group.
Soyal, but the Tribal Initiation chiefs and the Katcina chief are his major advisers; the rotation of the village chieftaincy at Mishongnovi complicates the pattern, though there is a definite feeling that the Bear clan is the proper source for the village chiefs.
He had the duty of maintaining order and discipline, but he had no punitive powers other than those connected with his war leadership....Within the clan normally the oldest male member takes charge of the ritual duties of the clan, and the oldest female member (of the main lineage) is in charge of the clan household...
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