Hopi Silver Overlay Man in the Maze Earrings by Loren Sakeva (Qumawunu)

These striking Hopi silver overlay earrings are vintage and handmade by Loren Sakeva also known as Qumawunu from Second Mesa.

The design so skillfully depicted on these earrings is called "Man in the Maze" or I’itoi. Often seen on baskets, it illustrates an emergence story from the Tohono O’odham of Arizona. In this story, I’itoi, a creator, emerged from the underworld to the swirling edges of the earth that brush against the sky. There, he battled Yellow Buzzard and Coyote for supremacy of the earth and was victorious. He now resides in a winding cave at the top of Baboquivari Peak only emerging at times when his help is needed. I’itoi’s cave is sacred, and many Tohono O’odham make an annual pilgrimage up Baboquivari Peak an leave I’itoi an offering at the entrance to his cave.

Man in the Maze symbolism has been adopted by other Southwestern Indigenous people like the Navajo and Hopi as in these earrings. In its adapted form, its often said to represent a person's journey through life - when born they're placed at the beginning of the maze and their life choices lead them through the twists and turns of the maze. Sometimes obstacles lead a person to what seems like a block in the road, but they can backtrack and make other choices. At the end of life, they finally travel it to the center of the maze where they die, meet the sun god, and receive blessings.

These earrings full of beautiful meaning measure a hair over 1 1/4" long x 5/8" wide. They're signed on the reverse and are for pierced ears.