A bit of American history
 

Welcome to our Native American Archive. Have fun browsing!

 

Article #213: Who Is Kokopelli?

(Browse for more articles)

 
Those who live in the desert Southwest famous flute-player. One thing is for
are probably more familiar with the sure, though. You will always see
hunch-back flute player known as Kokopelli with a humpback while playing
Kokopelli, as this little icon has been his flute.
around for centuries. He has many Kokopelli is known as the hunch back
symbols, but perhaps the most common flute player and sometimes the deity
symbol that people will recognize is the flute player who, put mildly, had an
one that symbolizes fertility deity for infatuation for women. It was no secret
all life. He is also recognized for that Kokopelli would do whatever he
hopes, dreams, crops and love and is said needed to do for him to have the
to be honored by many Native American opportunity to impregnate another woman.
Indians. If you want even more Kokopelli goods,
Some Native American Indian cultures, you will definitely find your share of
such as the Zuni and the Hopi tribes, things to buy with his face and flute
view this fertility symbol and flute proudly displayed at any of the local
player as a God. swap meets, as referred to in Arizona.
No matter if you live in the desert Other parts of the country may refer to
Southwest, live in another part of the swap meets as flea markets.)
country or perhaps have just visited Even many of the Arizona residents even
Arizona, your chances of hearing about can't seem to get enough of him.
Kokopelli are quite good. This fertility Kokopelli items are readily available. No
deity icon God is seen just about matter what your imagination allows, you
everywhere. You will see his picture on can probably find his icon on that item.
countless items such as Native Indian You will also find Kokopelli on wine
pottery, automobile key-chains, glasses, glasses, blankets, coffee cups, place
t-shirts and other clothing, outdoor mats and so many more things. Many have
lights, various home decor, candles, and fallen in love with him, too, in a sense.
of course Indian jewelery and much more. There are many people who are anxious to
Many ancient petroglyph's and other see the latest of Kokopelli items with
Native American pieces of art have long this hunch back flute player stamped on
depicted him. it.
Some people believe that he would Kokopelli was best known as the fertility
announce his arrival to the locals, by God but he also stood for a prankster and
playing a flute as he traveled through, healer and even a pretty good story
looking for women to impregnate, which teller.
made him well known for the fertility This Southwest symbol has been a source
symbol that he represented. Not only was of wonder throughout the country for
he an excellent flutist, he was most centuries. This little fellow is a symbol
definitely well known as an excellent of the Southwest and his legacy has been
lover, which was far more important to around for just as many centuries in the
the ladies in the villages that he would American Southwest. Kokopelli can be
frequent. And the story describes him as traced back well over 3,000 years ago.
a ladies dream if a woman was lucky The first petroglyph's were carved that
enough to meet him. long ago which depict him which also
Ask around and you'll probably discover include carvings of this hunch-backed
that his goal was simply to attract as flute-playing fertility God. If you are
many women as he possibly could, as he longing to see some of the carvings that
had one simple thing on his mind! symbolize Kokopelli, they are not hard to
Whenever he would arrive into a village, find in many areas that are located in
he would always be dancing and playing the southwestern states of the U.S.
his flute not only his own heart's You can easily find painted carvings that
content, but also to his lady followers, have been carved into rock walls and
that couldn't wait until he arrived into boulders throughout the desert Southwest.
their village. Although his true origins are unknown,
There are various meanings about what this traveling flute-playing Casanova is
this humpback flute player really stands considered sacred to many Southwestern
for or means. Some believe that he is Native Americans Indians and always will
carrying different items on his back in be without question.
the pictures that are represented of this






1- A- B- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- 14- 15- 16- 17- 18- 19- 20- 21- 22- 23- 24- 25- 26- 27- 28- 29- 30- 31- 32- 33- 34- 35- 36- 37- 38- 39- 40- 41- 42- 43- 44- 45- 46- 47-