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A Brief History of Kokopelli
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Kokopelli (background image) is a figure frequently found throughout the southwest in petroglyphs and
on pottery. He is thought to predate the oldest continuous settlement in
North America (Oraibi, c.1150 BCE, was discovered in 1540 AD by Pedro de
Tovar, a lieutenant of Coronado.) since the first petroglyphs are dated
around 3,000 years ago.
Kokopelli is regarded as a symbol of fertility for
all life - crops, hopes, dreams, or love (he is occasionally depicted with
an erect penis). He also has a reputation as a trickster and is
sometimes portrayed as playing tricks on others (standing on their heads).
Some legends suggest that Kokopelli was an ancient
trader who traveled throughout Mexico, the west coast, the southwest, and
possibly even as far as the eastern areas of the U.S. Archaeological finds
lend support this theory: shells, which are only found in certain coastal
areas and macaw feathers from Mexico have been unearthed in northern New
Mexico and Arizona.
Kokopelli was said to play a flute as he traveled
to announce his arrival to the villagers and early Kokopelli
figures were always shown with a bulging sack on his back (commonly
believed to be corn/grain seeds), later he evolved into a figure wearing a feather headdress with a curved
(rainbow) back.
Modern images frequently show him wearing rainbow colored
clothing as well as a feathered headdress and playing his flute like a
jazz musician.
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