The Kokopelli is a world-renowned figure who's origin and purpose have been argued by every group who has ever claimed him. Still the most consistent record lies in the unadulterated legends of the Hopi culture. (no pun intended!)

He has been referred to as a flute player, a rain god, a trickster, a traveler, a musician, the hump-back, a fertility god, and so on. His appearance suggests many of these things at different times.

Among the Hopi, he is only a flute player when he borrows a flute to dance. The hump on his back is thought to be a satchel full of seeds - for he is a planter, and with him usually comes life and abundance. The Springtime is often associated with the Kokopelli because of the new growth and appearance of flowers.

Legends have recorded the Kokopelli as a sexual figure who not only brings blessings to the crops but also leaves the villages full of new mothers. All in all, he represents fertility. And he has certainly left his mark, as he can be found in the cultures of South and Central America, as well as all of the other tribes of the Southwest.

Some have said that the flute that seems to appear in his hands is actually a planting stick which he uses to burry the seeds from inside his pack.

As his female counterpart, "Kokopell Mana is one of the few female racers, this mana portrays the erotic female counterpart of Kokopelli, the Humpbacked Flute Player. She will induce someone to run against "her" and then hoist her skirts and overtake him.

She flings him to the ground and immitates copulation with him to the unbridled amusement of the audience and the complete discomfiture of the loser."

- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary (231)

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Artist Bio:

David Roy was born March 16, 1965 to the village of Moenkopi near Tuba City, Arizona.

David is self-taught and looks at his own anatomy in order to understand the body structure of the Kachina dolls. He also looks at books in order to help him understand what to do. In addition, he listens attentively to his customers' suggestions.

He has been carving since he was in high school and, after graduating, he worked for the Hopi Tribe. He carved in his spare time and said that all of a sudden, he seemed to be getting good. At first, he used feathers and leather, but when he began all-wood carving, he found that he liked it and wanted to learn more about it.

"There is more detail to carve in," he says. "I always work on one doll at a time as I want to finish a doll and not put it away." David makes from two to four dolls in a month, taking his time so they will turn out well. He likes to do the Tewa and Eagle Kachinas most because they have more feathers on them. He also likes making the Hemis Kachina doll.

David always carves with cottonwood root which he buys, but sometimes the dealers will give him wood so that he will sell dolls to them. "I use all kinds of Dremel tools and also the band saw to cut out the doll. I also use X-acto and pocket knives. Many of the carvers say that they don't use power tools, but they do. Everybody is using them now," said David.

- Hopi Kachina Dolls and Their Carvers by Theda Bassman (p. 140)