The Ceremonial Calendar Preparation for the ceremonies begins in the kivas, some of which are rectangular, with the eastern pueblos kivas being round or oval. Prayer is offered before the altar, and sacred cornmeal, tobacco, and feathered prayer-sticks are used in this offering. Tobacco smoke is rain clouds. The ceremonial dancers send a prayer to the spirits below by stamping on a cottonwood covering of the sipapu before coming out to dance. The Crier Chief comes forth to announce all ceremonies.
Drummers join in and all move in a counter-clockwise direction, with the dance leader in the center.
In the social dances the singers and drummers remain apart. Wuwuchim is a 16 day ceremony which is the first of a three-part celebration of the creation of the universe. The religious societies perform the New Fire ceremony in their respective kivas, and the young men are initiated into the tribe. Soyal is the appearance of the first kachina at Winter Solstice. He wears a turquoise helmet and walks like a toddler, representing the rebirth of new life.