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After my parents retired and moved to Arizona, I discovered Kokopelli. Kokopelli is a Native American figure, usually depicted as dancing, wearing a headdress of some kind, and playing a flute. The figure and the name Kokopelli are all over southern Arizona as a figurine, wall hanging, or clothing decoration sold in countless art and tourist shops; as a commercial logo or part of a logo; or as part of the name of some event or activity, such as the Kokopelli Open at my father's golf course.
Research for this column indicates that Kokopelli has a very long history among southwestern Native American tribes and cultures, recognized since as far back as the 8th century. He is venerated by the Hopi as a symbol of childbirth and by the Zuni and other tribes as a symbol of agriculture, using his flute to chase away the winter.
CULTURAL EXPLOITATION
The fact that Kokopelli morphed into a largely generic symbol of the Southwest is not unusual. Many Indigenous cultures have found their history, symbols, and artifacts incorporated into and exploited by the colonizing culture as commercial products and designs.
Known as cultural appropriation, this trend is meeting with increasing pushback by the cultures that originated and continue to utilize the symbols or designs as part of their heritage. Several years ago, the Navajo Nation sued Urban Outfitters for use of the Navajo name for various products. The company claimed that "Navajo" had become a generic term, like "escalator" or "aspirin." While the case later settled with most of the terms undisclosed, the two parties did agree to collaborate on authentic Navajo jewelry.
INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS ACT
But the appropriation continues, and...