Koko moe

By Eric Anderson
Catalyst
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Wildcat File Photo
Arizona Daily Wildcat


The hunched back. The flute. The crazy hair thrown toward the sky. We've all seen him before, on T-shirts and billboards, in stores, galleries and museums. He's everywhere. He's Kokopelli.

Now he's also the subject of author Dave Walker's new book Cuckoo for Kokopelli.

Who is Kokopelli? A man or a myth or a god? Nobody's sure, but Walker delves into the mystery of this ancient image - born centuries ago among the native tribes of the Southwest - and tries to figure out why it's so damn popular today. Originally an American Indian symbol for fertility and the spirit of celebration and music, Kokopelli has turned into dollar signs for today's merchants. Cuckoo for Kokopelli is filled with images of clocks, pottery, jewelry, belt buckles, candy dishes, candle holders, even tattoos baring the image of this "pre-Colombian Coolio." Walker also gives mention to nearly a dozen businesses across the country that bare the name of this ancient figure, including a Santa Fe record company, a Michigan Southwestern cuisine restaurant, an Internet consulting firm in New York, and a ten-store pizza chain based in Fairfax, Va. Intrigued by the eternal commercial afterlife of Kokopelli, Walker noticed that the image is often associated with a lighter, not-so-serious tone.

"No companies that build defense weapons have Kokopelli as their symbol. It's usually knickknack stuff, and I think that's appropriate," said Walker, who described his book as a satirical, humorous look at a fascinating subject.

A self-proclaimed "koko-pilgrim," Walker also writes about television for The Arizona Republic, and wrote American Rock 'n' Roll Tour, the first travel guide to America's pop music landmarks. While he does admit he has quite a few Kokopelli items in the house, he says he still doesn't go as overboard as some. But alas, one of the gifts from his wife on their latest anniversary: a Kokopelli Zippo lighter (aka "Zippo-pelli").

Cuckoo for Kokopelli is available at bookstores, at www.amazon.com, and through Northland Publishing.