| There are many myths of the famous Kokopelli. One of which is that he traveled from village to village bringing the changing of winter to spring; melting the snow and bringing about rain for a successful harvest. It is also said that the hunch on his back depicted the sacks of seeds and songs he carried. Legend also has it that the flute playing also symbolized the transition of winter to spring. Kokopelli�s flute is said to be heard in the spring�s breeze, while bringing warmth. It is also said that he was the source of human conception. Legend has it, everyone in the village would sing and dance throughout the night when they heard Kokopelli play his flute. The next morning, every maiden in the village would be with child. Kokopelli, the humped-back flute player, is a symbol depicted throughout the southwest on rock art and pottery. He is regarded as the universal symbol of fertility for all life, be it crops, hopes, dreams, or love. In Pueblo myths, he carries in his hump, seeds, babies, and blankets to offer to maidens that he seduces. In upper Rio Grande pueblos he wandered between villages with bags of songs on his back. As a fertility symbol, he was welcome during corn-planting season. At night, while the people slept, he roamed the corn fields playing his flute. The next morning villagers would arise to find the corn four feet tall and Kokopelli vanished. Some legends suggest that he was an ancient toltac trader who traveled routes between Mexico, the west coast, the southwest, and possibly even as far as the eastern areas of the US. In Zuni culture, Kokopelli is known to be an important rain priest who brings in the rain. Known as Ololowishkya, he is shown with a festive hairstyle, displaying a large phallus and is always seen with a flute. |
