3.1 The Hopi life cycle of maize

All farmers use descriptions of the life cycle of their crops. The descriptions used by traditional farmers such as the Hopi reflect their traditional ecological knowledge about how their particular varieties of maize grow. The words provided in the images below are the Hopi words for the growth-stages of maize.

1. Planting begins in the fields. 2. About three weeks after planting, the plants have now emerged. 3. Four to six weeks after planting, the plants are thinned so they can breathe and grow. 4. Eleven to twelve weeks after planting, the plants have grown tall and now have their tassels. 5. Sixteen to seventeen weeks after planting, the corn has matured and is ready to be harvested. 6. About 120 days after planting, the plants have matured. The corn is ripe. 7. Once the plants and ears have dried, the farmers harvest their crops. 8. After harvest the dried stalks are laid to rest. 9. The enduring power of reproduction that is prayed for is evident when the harvest is properly cared for. Drawing by Kurt Lomawaima.