Meet the Maker: Hopi Artist Creates a Basket to Unite the World

In a small room that connects Iskasokpu Gallery to the home of Iva Honyestewa, floor-to-ceiling shelves line the walls and a window looks out over an Arizona canyon striated in color.
Iva-Hopi name Honwynum, which means Female Bear Walking-weaves two traditional Hopi baskets, the coil (poota) and the sifter (tutsaya).
For Iva, basketweaving is both a spiritual endeavor and a communal activity. When she weaves alone, it's meditation. When she weaves with others, it’s a time to talk and laugh.
Iva's creation, the pootsaya, emerged in 2014, during her artist residency at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, and it's the first of its kind in the world. Now, Iva and her niece Reba Ann Lomayestewa, whom Iva taught how to weave the pootsaya, are the only basketweavers making it.
To purchase the coil, sifter or pootsaya basket from Iva Honyestewa or Reba Ann Lomayestewa, contact Iva or Reba, or check out the Hopi Arts Trail.
Iva: hopiartstrail....
Reba: hopiartstrail....
Hopi Arts Trail: hopiartstrail....
More Arizona makers: www.visitarizo...

[@mimble]

I wasn't raised learning about my roots and I feel such an emptiness in my heart when I think about it. Seeing my facial features in your faces made me so emotional.

[@אריקגולד]

Wonderful tradition, when I was a student at Flagstaff, I visited the Hopi reservation, thanks to Howard Dennis from second messa , I attended a run race at the Hopi basket dance 30 years ago... some of Hopi baskets were given as prizes for the winners of a run race held that day ascending the plaza of the Second Mesa... the race ended to the chanting of Hopi basket women dancing, circulating with hymes ...( I will always cherish in slow motion movements and sounds of these majestic dancers...) may this unique tradition flourish forever.

[@heisrisen7961]

This was beautiful. I hold Chickasaw ancestry; I believe as a Christian in one Creator, Abba/God. I understand the feeling of believing we are all one. We are all to be the body. You are simply beautiful and working with your hands has brought joy to your face for a lifetime as the expression is ripened in your face. I hope to try weaving. I do not know how I will fare at it, but I pray it will be something I can chase to master. God bless you. 🙏

[@frenchpizza9725]

Beautiful family of Mother Earth. First Nation's Texas. I love love love love love love you family

[@cindydawson3815]

❤❤❤ Beautiful message and work! Thanks for sharing.

[@TreelinePix]

Beautiful!

[@MrSoarman]

Right there is eternal life.......

[@marielisabeth634]

So beautiful!

[@inputhere]

Kwah kwa!

[@anoldgryphon]

How do we buy her baskets?

[@ArizonaTourism]

Hello Stewart! To purchase the coil, sifter or pootsaya basket from Iva Honyestewa or Reba Ann Lomayestewa, please contact them using their information on the Members page of the Hopi Arts Trail site: hopiartstrail.com/members.

[@RockStackingLeague]

OK sounds good, I'm visiting Arizona now

[@ShelleeGraham]

Love this short film on Hopi artist, from the 2nd Mesa. Great 👍 art, great film. Enjoyed this very much, Thank You.

[@killawhatt8620]

Stunning. Keep going sister.

[@CHIEFRAENKLOWESHTE]

IHÉHE ASÉ

[@steveb1437]

Beautiful! Isss uhni! Lomahinta Iva!!! Kwa'kwai mongvitsoti!

[@cbsaywhat...7968]

Beautiful❤️

[@sherrywoodbeck3542]

Such a magnificent craft and history. I came here from seeing a small segment of this on the viral video show, "Right This Minute" so happy I did.

[@lauranicholls9421]

I really like creativity like basket weaving. It’s very beautiful thinking about peace in the world using plants to make basket. Thanks for sharing.🌵🌽☀️

[@BigHawkster]

I'm also Hopi 2nd Mesa, Shongopovi, Rabbit/Tobacco clan.. I did not grow up in the traditional ways, but I do go to Hopi land for ceremonies, my brothers from out there have been teaching me the old ways.. I cant wait to learn more of the old ways.. I love the basket weaving and the carvings..

[@tayesekakuku6778]

My sister Iva

[@redknightmedia1805]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@rebeccaguldberg9754]

Another absolutely gorgeous masterpiece!

[@sea9994]

❤ 💙 💜

[@kaoskewenvoyouma2712]

Hi Gaga, uma ta'tsaya pu boh'dah pas pai lomahinta...!

[@evolution405]

Beautiful artefacts. I have a forest of eucalyptus around me. How can I keep the strappy eucalyptus bark permanently moist & prevent it from coiling when it's dry? I'll appreciate your help.

[@jessicaw3853]

I pray that weaving for peace, for unity and for Mother Earth will come in fashion again❣️ Am looking for the natural materials that are in abundance here in Europe which we used to weave with here, besides willow and bramble. Perhaps a grass-like equivalent could be sting nettle 😊 🌿

[@TheBodynsoul1]

I learned from Elder how to make sifter basket when i was in high school, my family moved to city and i forgot how..😢but i loved watching these beautiful ladies!! ❤

[@beckyisabell4324]

Beautiful video keep sharing your gifts

[@anthonysakiestewa8011]

Wow now i want one for my girl.

[@anoldgryphon]

Beautiful.