Ho’ok A’aga: Winter Storytelling
February 13, 2026
Jesrton Morris
Community Newsperson
CHANDLER, Ariz. — The Huhugam Heritage Center (HHC) hosted the Ho’ok A’aga Winter Storytelling event in its amphitheater on Jan. 24. The gathering took place outdoors under the stars, where attendees kept warm beside campfires and outdoor heaters.
According to Robert Johnson, a language specialist at HHC, Ho’ok A’aga means “the Telling of the Witch” and refers to the O’otham Creation Story. The Creation Stories are traditionally told only when rattlesnakes are hibernating. As noted in the document, “The storytelling ceases when the rattlesnake emerges from their den in the spring,” due to the belief that a rattlesnake will seek out and bite anyone who tells the stories out of season.
The Creation Stories typically take four nights to tell in full. Multiple versions exist, each with slight variations. Among Akimel O’otham, renowned storytellers include Juan Smith, William Smith Allison and Thin Leather.
Henrietta Lopez, a District 4 Santan community member, served as master of ceremonies. Former Lt. Gov. Robert Stone delivered the opening blessing in O’otham. He later shared a story and sang songs. William Allen gave the first lecture, followed by Barnaby Lewis. Each storytelling session lasted about 40 minutes and included a question and answer period.
Lopez welcomed attendees in both O’otham and English and provided an overview of the evening. A platform stage was set up for the speakers. “I welcome everyone to our storytelling event this evening. Whether you’re a member or non-member, I encourage you to come back and bring your family members to hear the oral stories,” she said.
Allen, the first speaker, delivered his lecture primarily in English with O’otham words woven throughout. He began by sharing his background. Raised in Vah ki (Casa Blanca), he said both of his grandfathers were Tohono O’odham and noted that he has relatives in all seven districts, including District 8, Santa Rosa and Sells, drawing laughter from the audience.
“Certain sections of the stories are going to repeat themselves. The stories I am telling you come from Gila River. I hope someone carries these stories on. Allow the stories to enter your mind. Listen not only with your ears but also with your heart,” Allen said.
He explained that O’otham oral stories often center on animals. “The O’otham stories are meant to be told in four nights. The portion of the story I am telling you this evening is the ending part. It is based on J. William Lloyd’s documented O’odham story,” he added.
Allen’s Story Summary.
How Soft Child (S-moik Ali) Became Rattlesnake: Soft Child, who was constantly teased, asked Se’ehe (Elder Brother) for help. Soft Child was given fangs and rattles and would shake his rattle as a warning. To:bǐ (Cottontail) ignored the warning, was bitten and died.
The Burning of Cottontail’s Body: To prevent Ban (Coyote) from digging up the body, To:bǐ was burned. The document notes that “the Maricopa’s custom of burning deceased human body is still practiced, though it is becoming rare.” Ban was chased throughout Tohono O’odham and Akimel O’otham lands but eventually escaped and devoured To:bǐ’s heart atop S modal, meaning “greasy mountain,” referring to South Mountain.
Lopez then introduced Lewis, a master storyteller with extensive knowledge of O’otham epistemology, ontology and cultural teachings. Lewis sang O’otham songs, shifted tone and pitch throughout his presentation, and delivered his story primarily in O’otham with English translation. His story centered on a witch who stole and ate children.
Reflecting on the tradition, Lewis said, “It’s the desire of our O’otham people [to] reassert and reestablish our oral tradition by telling the narratives during the winter season. These stories originated in ancient time with our Hu Hu Kam ancestors.” He added, “Our hope is these stories will generate interest and understanding as well as perpetuate the O’otham Himdag way of life.”
The final speaker, former Lt. Gov. Robert Stone, began his lecture in O’otham before switching to English. He shared that O’otham was his first language and that he began learning English at age 6. His lecture focused on his personal journey of learning O’otham songs.
Stone said he had always wanted to learn the songs, but the opportunity came when he was 40. He is a Traditional Song and Dance Teacher at Casa Blanca Community School. “I would listen and listen, but I was unable to understand some of the words in the song. I was interested in learning song vocabulary. I finally went to Lewis and asked him for song lessons,” Stone said.
Lewis traveled to Tucson to teach him. “In our initial lesson, Lewis taught me about the song language and the spoken language. Understanding the difference is crucial because it really helped me acquire the words in the song,” Stone said.
He explained that spoken O’otham sounds natural to the ear, but in songs, words follow a rhythmic structure that changes their phonetic form. Lewis taught him both the phonetic shifts and the semantic meanings.
At the conclusion of the event, Stone sang a song, and attendees joined in an O’otham social dance. The Huhugam Heritage Center’s storytelling event was considered a success and exceeded expectations. Lopez expressed appreciation on behalf of HHC to all volunteers, including firekeepers, servers and ushers.