Deep Purple/Black Purple Corn

15420.jpg

Title

Deep Purple/Black Purple Corn

Subject

UMMAA #15420

Description

Scientific Name: Zea mays
Hopi Name from 1935 field notes: Kokoma
Source of Seeds: Old type, pure strain
Properties and Use: Eaten, the color improves when ashes or lye is added, used for Piki bread, dye for textiles and body paint in any Katchina Dance. Cultivated chiefly for food.
Ceremonial Significance: Indicates the direction up.

Source

Supawlovi
Navajo County, AZ

Date

October 25, 1935

Contributor

Alfred Whiting, Volney Jones, Edmund Nequatewa

Relation

Museum of Northern Arizona cat B.1800