The Hopi are organized in matrilineal clans. Matrilinear means here that the members of a certain clan refer in their maternal ancestor lines to a common ancestor, whose trace mostly reaches into the mythological prehistory. I.e., the maternal lineage is the decisive and determines the traditional roots. There are 34 clans (the most important ones are: Fire clan, Bear clan, Badger clan, Bow clan, Parrot clan, Eagle clan, Spider clan, Water clan, Snake clan, Flute clan, Coyote clan, Pumpkin clan and Blackseed clan) and about 12 Ceremonial societies. The latter are formed by different clans and have their special tasks in the fulfilment of seasonal ceremonies and thus in the spiritual maintenance of the balance between man and the great creation.

A clan consists of several family associations and is regarded as a large family. The traditional leadership of the villages is in the hands of the various leaders of the clans and ceremonial associations, chaired by the village leader. Each clan has its own old tradition and history. This is also connected with various ceremonial tasks in the course of the traditional annual festival circle, which may only be carried out by one particular clan at a time. The same applies to the guarding and preservation of certain old spiritual and ritual objects, which are traditionally passed on within the mothers' clans. (e.g. the 4 holy stone tablets, see in myths and legends).

Weddings are not allowed within a clan, because a clan is a kind of big family and its members take the status of siblings. At the same time the blood connections and related ties among the clans are promoted, which naturally leads to a greater solidarity and identification among each other. After marriage, the husband moves to his wife's village to live there (matrilocal).

The clan of the mother, or the woman, is always more important and demands great respect and reverence. The women take over the corresponding traditional and ritual tasks from their mothers, which are then passed on by them to their daughters. The main task of the father is to protect and feed the family. He is also responsible for naming the children. In this way, each Hopi child is born through birth into a dense network of family connections and traditions, thus ensuring in many ways the existential security and upliftment of every tribal member.