The Flute Player

Brian at Arizona Mud Company sent me several samples of their work. I have pictures of them on the New Items page. All of their products are hand made and are made with much personal care. Look at the their website to see what they are doing.

 

I would like to send a SPECIAL thank you to Keith and Darleen from KeiDar for making this special rainstick rattle for me.  They do wonderful artwork on these gourds, and the sounds they make reach the soul, just like Kokopelli's flute.  Make sure you visit their web page to discover their wonderful and unique artwork with gourds.  They are having a special price for these rainsticks for the next 90 days so make sure you take a look soon.

 

I have added some more leather items to the site, all with Kokopelli designed in them. Take a look.

KoKopelli is: Ancient Hopi Indian God of Powerful Communication and Fertility.

Who is kokopelli (or Kokopilau)? This magical character has held our interest since the first petroglyhs were carved around 3,000 years ago. He predates even Oraibi, the oldest continuous settlement in North America. Hopi legend tells us that upon their entrance onto this, the fourth world, the Hopi people were met by an Eagle who shot an arrow into the two "mahus," insects which carried the power of heat. They immediately began playing such uplifting melodies on their flutes that they healed their own pierced bodies. The Hopi then began their separate migrations and each "mahu" would scatter seeds of fruits and vegetables onto the barren land. Over them, each played his flute to bring warmth and make the seeds grow. His name -- KOKO for wood and Pilau for hump (which was the bag of seeds he always carried)-- was given to him on this long journey. It is said that he draws that heat from the center of the Earth. He has come down to us as the loving spirit of fertility -- of the Earth and humanity. His invisible presence is felt whenever life come forth from seed -- plants or animals.

About Kokopelli

In ancient Indian legend, Kokopelli the flute player was the symbol of happiness and joy. He talked to the wind and the sky. His flute could be heard in the Spring breeze, bringing warmth after the winter cold.

Kokopelli embodies everything pure and spiritual about music. He was also thought of as a fertility god and traveling prankster. He would visit villages playing his flute, carrying his songs on his back. Everyone would sing and dance the night away. In the morning, when he left, the crops were plentiful and all the women were pregnant.

There are many stories of Kokopelli. One is that he is responsible for the end of winter and the coming of spring. Native American legend has it that when the Kokopelli comes playing his flute the Sun comes out, the snow melts, the green grass grows, the birds come out and begin to sing, and all the animals gather around to hear his songs. Kokopelli and his flute bring the Spring out of the Winter.