Piki bread is a newspaper-like roll of wafer-thin flaking pastry, which tastes like unsalted corn chips. Despite its misleading name, piki bread has the texture of a flying saucer sweet and tastes nothing like bread as we know it.
Made from finely ground corn, water and ash, piki bread is the traditional ceremonial food of the Hopi tribe – a sovereign Native American nation located in northeastern Arizona. It is still used in a range of Hopi ceremonies – from weddings to baby namings. Sadly, it’s a skill that’s diminishing.
Artist and jeweller, Iva Honyestewa, recently invited TLE into her home to see the intricate art of piki-making first-hand. Traditionally, Hopi Tribe members don’t like people taking photographs as they were once forced to pose by soldiers against their will.
However, Iva, whose husband is a doll carver and son is an aspiring artist, was happy for us to take pictures. Below is a gallery of Iva preparing piki on a hot stone.
Iva’s hands are full of caluses from years touching the hot stone. She says she rarely feels the blistering heat but if she does, she dips her hands in the batter to cool them down.
Fact Box
For information about Hopi arts and crafts visit: www.HopiArtsTrail.com
Adam was a guest of Visit Arizona. For more information about Arizona visit: https://www.visitarizona.com
Flights British Airways flies direct to Phoenix from £747 return.|
The Iskasokpu Gallery is around a four-hour drive from Phoenix airport.