The stories vary from telling, but the legends generally revolve around a trader(s) from the south visiting the Four Corners region of the Southwest.
Most petroglyphs (rock art) renditions of Kokopelli show a hump backed flute player. The humped back is most often interpreted as a trader's pack full of trade goods. Often in original rock art, the figure is drawn with an erect penis. This feature is usually omitted in modern versions of Kokopelli for a broader appeal and a more urban audience. The figure is also thought of as a fertility symbol (hence the penis).
Legends tell of the trader coming from the south with exotic trade goods such as parrot feathers, sea shells, coral, etc. He would announce his arrival in a village by playing his flute much like the Ice Cream Man of our childhood memories. Music has always been a great advertising tool!
Now here comes the fertility part... Arrival of strangers with interesting trade goods was always a cause for celebration and feasting. Kokopelli would trade his interesting wares by day and then after the evening's celebrations he would choose a woman to 'honor' with Kokopelli's attentions. This often led to leaving some of Kokopelli's genes behind in the population. Eventually some groups transferred the idea of fertility from the individual (or actually groups of traders) to the flute itself.
Rock art images of Kokopelli vary quite a bit, some have him standing, some lying on his back. Some include the erect penis, some don't. The flute and 'humped back' are the common features.
This is a generality and versions from local populations will vary but
the basic idea is certainly contained here.
You can email me at terry@kokopelliflutes.com if you would like to know more.
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Updated: June 12, 2002
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