Ground plan of a kiva.
Sipapu Pilasters Banquette Firepit Deflector Ventilator Shaft
Step into the courtyard and look into the kiva. The name kiva is a modern Hopi Indian word meaning ceremonial room. Judging by present day Pueblo Indian custom, generally only men would be members of kiva societies which performed religious ceremonies for bringing rain, good crops and general well-being to the village. Women undoubtedly assisted in some ceremonies. When no rituals were being held, the kiva probably was used as a clubroom and workroom by men.
The ventilator shaft brought fresh air into the kiva. The deflector was a baffle to keep the air from blowing directly across the firepit in the floor. The fire provided light and warmth. The sipapu (see-pah-pooh) was a symbolic opening from the underworld of the gods and spirits. The bench, or banquette, was a shelf or storage space. The pilasters, of which there are generally six, were roof supports. Entrance to the kiva was by means of a ladder through a hatchway in the roof.
If you want to go into a kiva, climb down the ladder in front of the next courtyard. Notice the cribbed roof. This is a restoration copied from originals found in place in other ruins.
Station 4.
Behind the rooms in this part of the dwelling is a large enclosed area which was used as a trash room. The villagers also kept some of their domesticated turkeys penned up in it. The main village trash dump was the talus slope on which you are now standing.
The black stain on the cave roof is smoke.
Notice the wall decorations on the second floor room to the left. It was made by plastering colored clay on the walls. Many rooms were once decorated inside like this one.