Return To Menu



Legend of the Flute
Once many generations ago, the people had drums, gourd rattles, and bull-roarers, but no flutes. At that long-ago time a young man went out to hunt. Meat was scarce, and the people in his camp were hungry. He found the tracks of an Elk and followed them for a long time. The Elk, wise and swift, is the one who owns the love charm. If a man possesses Elk Medicine, the girl he likes can't help sleeping with him. He will also be a lucky hunter. This young man Im talking about had no Elk Medicine.

After many hours he finally sighted his game. He was skilled with bow and arrows, and had a fine new bow and a quiver full of straight, well-feathered, flint-tipped arrows. Yet the Elk always managed to stay just out of range, leading him on and on. The young man was so intent on following his prey that he hardly noticed where he went.

When night came, he found himself deep inside a thick forest. The tracks had disappeared and so had the Elk, and there was no moon. He realized that he was lost and that it was too dark to find his way out. Luckily he came upon a stream with cool, clear water. And he had been careful enough to bring a hide bag of wasna, dried meat pounded with berries and kidney fat, strong food that will keep a man going for a few days. After he had drunk and eaten, he rolled himself into his fur robe, propped his back againest a tree, and tried to rest. But he couldnt sleep, the forest was full of strange noises, and the cries of night animals, the hooting owls, the groaning of trees in the wind. It was as if he heard these sounds for the first time.

Suddenly there was a entirely new sound, of a kind neither he nor anyone else had ever heard before. It was mournful and ghost like. It made him afraid, so that he drew his robe tightly about himself and reached for his bow to make sure that it was properly strung. On the other hand, the sound was like a song, sad but beautiful, full of love, hope, and yearning. Then before he knew it, he was asleep. He dreamed that the bird called wagnuka, the redheaded woodpecker, appeared singing the strangely beautiful song and telling him, "Follow me and I will teach you."

When the hunter awoke, the sun was already high. On a branch of the tree against which he was leaning, he saw a redheaded woodpecker. The bird flew away to another tree, and another, but never very far, looking back all the time at the young man as if to say, "Come on!" Then once more he heard that wonderful song, and his heart yearned to find the singer. Flying toward the sound, leading the hunter, the bird flitted through the leaves, while its bright red top made easy to follow. At last it lighted on a ceder tree and began hammering on a branch, making a noise like the fast beating of a small drum. Suddenly there was a gust of wind, and again the hunter heard that beautiful sound right above him.

Then he discovered that the song came from the dead branch that the woodpecker was tapping his beak. He realized also that it was the wind which made the sound as it whistled through the hole the bird had drilled.
"Kola, friend," said the hunter, "let me take this branch home. You can make yourself another."
He took the branch, a hollow piece of wood full of woodpecker holes that was about the length of his forearm. He walked back to his village bringing no meat, but happy all the same.

In his tipi the young man tried to make the branch sing for him. He blew on it, he waves it around, no sound came. It made him sad, he wanted so much to hear that wonderful new sound. He purified himself in the sweat lodge and climbed to the top of a lonely hill. There, resting with his back against a large rock, he fasted, going without food or water for four days and nights, crying for a vision which would tell him how to make the branch sing. In the middle of the fourth night, wagnuka, the bird with the bright red top, appeared, saying,"Watch me," turning himself into a man, showing the hunter how to make the branch sing, saying again and again,"Watch this, now." And in his dream the young man watched and observed very carefully.

When he awoke, he found a ceder tree. He broke off a branch and, working many hours, hollowed it out with a bowstring drill, just as he had seen the woodpecker do in his dream. He whittled the branch into the shape of the birds with a long neck and a open beak. He painted the top of the birds head with washasha, the sacred red color. He prayed. He smoked the branch up with incense of burning sage, ceder, and sweet grass. He fingered the holes as he had seen the man-bird do in his vision, meanwhile blowing softly into the mouthpiece. All at once there was the song, ghost like and beautiful beyond words drifting all the way to the village, where the people were astounded and joyful to hear it. With the help of the wind and the woodpecker, the young man had brought them the first flute.

In the village lived an itanchan, a big chief. This itanchan had a daughter who was beautiful but also very proud, and convinced that there was no young man good enough for her. Many had come courting, but she had sent them all away. Now, the hunter who had made the flute decided that she was just the woman for him. Thinking of her he composed a special song, and one night, standing behind a tall tree, he played it on his siyotanka in hopes that it might have a charm to make her love him.

All at once the winchinchala heard it. She was sitting in her fathers tipi, eating buffalo hump meat and tongue, feeling good. She wanted to stay there, in the tipi by the fire, but her feet wanted to go outside. She pulled back, but her feet pulled forward, and the feet won. Her head said,"Go slow, go slow!" but the feet said,"Faster, faster!" She saw the young man standing in the moonlight, she heard the flute. Her head said,"Dont go to him, he's poor." Her feet said,"Go, run!" and again the feet prevailed.

So they stood face to face. The girls head told her to be silent, but the feet told her to speak, and speak she did, saying,"Koshkalaka, young man, I am yours altogether." So they lay down together, the young man and the winchinchala, under one blanket.

Later she told him,"Koshkalaka, warrior, I like you. Let your parents send a gift to my father, the chief. No matter how small, it will be accepted. Let your father speak for you to my father. Do it soon! Do it now!"

And so the two fathers quickly agreed to the wishes of their children. The proud winchinchala became the hunters wife, and he himself became a great chief. All the other young men had heard and seen. Soon they too began to whittle ceder branches into the shape of birds heads with long necks and open beaks. The beautiful love music traveled from tribe to tribe, and made young girls feet go where they shouldnt. And thats how the flute was brought to the people, thanks to the ceder, the woodpecker, and this young man, who shot no Elk, but knew how to listen.

As told to Ward Stroud of Stroud flutes by Henry Crow Dog
Return to Top

The Love Flute Story
A long time ago, there lived a young man who was very shy. He was brave in battle, and led the buffalo hunt with courage, yet when it came to speaking his love to the girl he wanted to marry, he was too shy to speak. He would stand helplessly, his eyes cast to the ground, while other young men stood with their courting blankets outside the tipi of the girl's father.

The young man thought about the girl day and night. In his dreams she was still there before his eyes, yet even in his dreams he lacked the courage to tell her of his love.

He watched her from a distance when she fetched water from the river, and his heart was heavy when he saw the other young men who talked to her so easily, whistled to her to gain her attention, and in a hundred ways vied for her love. The young man was sure that the girl did not notice him.

One day, his heart aching, he left the camp and wandered alone. In despair he drew his bow and without a thought he let fly an arrow into the air.

To his amazement the arrow stayed aloft. It seemed to him that the arrow pointed ahead. He followed the direction of the arrow and found that it moved ahead at a steady pace which he could follow. He followed the arrow all day, and when evening came the arrow fell to earth beside a stream.

He slept beside the stream, and in the morning shot another arrow into the sky. Again the arrow stayed aloft, and led him on. That evening it, too, sank to earth beside a stream. This continued for a total of four days.

On the fourth day the young man slept at the edge of a forest. In that half-dream state between waking and sleep, two Elk Men appeared to him, and told him that they had come to help him. "We have come to give you this flute", one said, and when he blew into the flute he carried, the sound was so beautiful that even the forest stood breathlessly listening.

The Elk Man told him, "This flute is made from the wood of the cedar, because cedars grow where the winds blow. Woodpecker made these finger holes in the flute with his beak."

The other Elk Man told him "All the birds and animals helped to make this flute, and their voices sing within it. When you play this flute for the girl you love, all our voices sing with you. Your music will speak the words of love that your voice alone cannot."

Then the Elk Men were gone, but there, lying on sage leaves, was the flute. The young man set off towards his home, his heart light. He played the flute as he walked, and the cranes joined in his song. For four days he walked, playing his music, and listening to the sounds of the animals and birds. He imitated the sounds of the animals on his flute, and from those sounds he made melodies.

As evening drew near on the fourth day, he reached the hill above his camp. There he paused to play his flute, and the sounds of the beautiful music he made carried into the camp and thrilled the heart of every woman there.

But one woman, the girl he loved, knew that the music spoke straight to her heart. The girl left her tipi and joined the young man on the hill. She listened to the words of love that his music spoke more eloquently than his voice could express. "I love you. I love you."

As told by Spring Shine of Cedar Spirit Native American Flutes
Return to Top

The Loon Legend
I woke one morning to the call of an elk. The sun rained drops of light to the forest floor. I imagined the elk was singing of a glorious and wonderful morning. This was his way of giving thanks. I grabbed my flute and headed out to the lake, just as it was greeting the morning sun. I sat facing east, first, giving thanks to the Creator and then gave the day a gift of song. I too, like the elk, was happy. Three loons greeted me and we conversed through song.

They asked me, "Do you know where the voice of flute came from?" I did not. The loon's said long ago their ancestor's were once members of the Anishenabeg people. One of their ancestors, a little girl, who was a chief's daughter, named Tiobi, was an important friend to the loon. Tiobi loved the loons and would greet them everyday at the lake. She had a great respect for them and the loons respected her. Tiobi convinced her people not to hunt the loon; they were a sacred bird. She said the loons cry because they are lost and the Anishenabeg people should help them.

Tiobi woke one morning and paddled in a canoe out to the center of the lake. She reached towards a lost loon in the water and said, "Don’t worry my friend I will help you find your way," but the canoe tipped over and Tiobi fell in and drowned. Tiobi's father was very sad. The next morning a loon cried out from the lake but the chief did not hear. The loon called to elk and said, "My friend could you please sing your morning song?" The elk sung gloriously and the chief woke to the song. He ran down to the lake to where the elk had been singing but found no elk, instead he saw a loon looking up upon him. "I see white spots on your back and believe these are tears," said the chief. "Have you lost your way my friend?" Suddenly the Chief thought he knew the loon and felt as if he were in the presence of his daughter. He cried, "My daughter, it's you!" He felt very happy but he also felt sad. The Chief could not understand what she was saying.

So he ran into the woods and called out to the Great Spirit. " Great Spirit, help me understand what my daughter, the loon, is saying. How can I talk to her so she can understand me?" Lighting flashed and hit a tree where a woodpecker had been working and a branch fell. The chief picked it up and saw it had holes in it and holes at both ends. He blew in one side of the stick and it made a beautiful sound, just like the loon.

The chief quickly ran back and blew into the stick and through song he said, "Daughter this is a gift from the Great Spirit. It is called a flute and I will sing to you like the elk, and you will hear my heart and I will hear yours. You have lost your way and so too have all the Anishenabeg that have died by drowning. You have become the tribe of the 'Loons' and cry because you are sad. We do not hear your cry; your tears have been marked on your back as a reminder. I will sing a song of prayer for you with the mighty and powerful gift from the Great Spirit and you will find you way to the council table and sit among our people who will be there waiting for you." The chief played joyously and the loons disappeared. Every year the loon reappeared and the chief knew these loons where tragedies of the people who live among the lakes.

As told by Raymond Redfeather of Heartwood Flutes
Return to Top

Legend of the Boy
It is told that the first flute came to us by way of a young Indian boy who was lost, wandering alone in the forest. It was there, deep in the forest, that the Great Spirit saw him. Having pity on one so young, he decided to give him a gift so that he would not be alone. From the heavens he sent a small bird to sit upon a hollow branch of a large tree. Underneath the shade of the tree sat the young Indian boy. As the brisk northern wind blew through the hollow branch, it produced a sound which he had never heard before.

Looking up he saw a bird perched high in the tree. Soon the bird began to peck holes into the branch and with each hole that the bird made, it changed the the pitch of each note as the wind continued to blow. The young boy realised that the beautiful sound came from the hollow branch and that it was a gift to him from the Great Spirit. He carefully climbed the tree to reach the branch and gently broke off the branch. He blew into it, imitating the northern wind, thereby making the beautiful sound. Later he would find his people and tell them about his wonderful gift. This is how the first flute was brought to us by the Great Spirit, and also why the small bird sits atop each flute.

As told to Jim McDonald by Bushy

Return to Top

Four Flutes
Their Chief and his counsellors decided to ask their Old Grandfathers for help. They journeyed to the Elder Priests of the Bow and asked, "Grandfathers, we are tired of the same old music and the old dances. Can you please show us how to make new music and new dances for our people?"

After much conferring, the Elder Priests arranged to send our Wise Ones to visit the God of Dew. Next day the four Wise Ones set out upon their mission.

Slowly climbing a steep trail, they were pleased to hear music coming from the high Sacred Mountain. Near the top, they discovered that the music came from the Cave of the Rainbow. At the cave's entrance vapours floated about, a sign that within was the god Paiyatuma.

When the four Wise Ones asked permission to go in, the music stopped; however, they were welcomed warmly by Paiyatuma, who said, "Our musicians will now rest while we learn why you have come."

"Our Elders, the Priests of the Bow, directed us to you. We wish for you to show us your secret in making new sounds of music. Also with the new music, we wish to learn how to create new ceremonial dances.

"As gifts, our Elders have prepared these prayer sticks and special plume-offerings for you and your people."
"Come sit with me," responded Paiyatuma. "You shall now see and hear."

Before them appeared many musicians with beautifully decorated long shirts. Their faces were painted with the signs of the gods. Each held a lengthy tapered flute. In the centre of the group was a large drum beside which stood its drum-beater. Another musician held the conductor's wand. These were men of age and experience, graced with dignity.

Paiyatuma stood and spread some magic pollen at the feet of the visiting Wise Ones. With crossed arms, he then strode the length of the cave, turning and walking back again. Seven beautiful young girls, tall and slender, followed him. Their garments were similar to the musicians, but were of various colours. They held hollow cottonwood shafts from which bubbled dainty clouds when the maidens blew into them.

"These are not the maidens of corn," Paiyatuma said. "They are our dancers, the young sisters from the House of Stars."

Paiyatuma placed a flute to his lips and joined the circle of dancers. From the drum came a thunderous beat, shaking the entire Cave of the Rainbow, signalling the performance to begin. Beautiful music from the flutes seemed to sing and sigh like the gentle blowing of the winds. Bubbles of vapour arose from the girls' reeds. In rhythm, the Butterflies of Summerland flew about the cave, creating their own dance forms with the dancers and the musicians. Mysteriously, over all the scene flooded the colours of the Rainbow throughout the cave. All of this harmony seemed like a dream to the four Wise Ones, as they thanked the God of Dew and prepared to leave. Paiyatuma came forward with a benevolent smile and symbolically breathed upon the four Wise Ones. He summoned four musicians, asking them to give each one a flute as a gift.

"Now depart to your Elders," said Paiyatuma. "Tell them what you have seen and heard. Give them our flutes. May your people the Zunis learn to sing like the birds through these woodwinds and these reeds."

In gratitude the Wise Ones bowed deeply and accepted the gifts, expressing their appreciation and farewell to all of the performers and Paiyatuma.

Upon the return of the four Wise Ones to their own ceremonial court, they placed the four flutes before the Priests of the Bow. The Wise Ones described and demonstrated all that they had seen and heard in the Cave of the Rainbow.

Chief of the Zuni tribe and his counsellors were happy with their new knowledge, returning to their tribe with the gift of the flutes and the reeds. Before their next ceremonial, many of their tribesmen learned to make new music and to create new dances for all their people to enjoy.

As told by Glenn Welker at indigenouspeople.org
Return to Top

Legend of the Two Boys
There were once two boys who were children of the bird called wi'tsawits or tcowi'ts. It is a common bird with a yellow breast that comes in the spring. These boys were named A'xtakwa'somes' and Pu'kuban. They went out to get material for making a flute. One boy took the material in his hand and said, "The girls will love me when I play this flute."

When the flute was finished he played on it, and the first melody he played said, "I have the flute in my mouth. Anyone living far away will hear and come to listen."

A part of the Yuman Wonder-Boy legend as related to Frances Densmore by Jose Homer.
Return to Top

The Kokopelli Myth
Kokopelli is believed to be the oldest and original fluteplayer, as evidenced by the petrogyphs of the Southwest. Kokopelli The Fluteplayer has become a popular icon throughout the United States, often associated with things musical, but can be found just anywhere associated with anything. Unfortunately, Kokopelli doesn't exist as depicted.

The misconception came about for a variety of reasons. The noted Hopi scholar, Ekkehart Malotki, has stated the heart of the problem quite succinctly: "Kokopelli is ... a total fabrication (come about through a misalignment of a Hopi kachina with the rock art symbol) of the dominant white society."

The problem is caused by little or no knowledge or understanding of either Hopi kachinas (correctly termed "katsina") or southwestern rock art.

The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office provides the following definition of the katsina:

"Katsinam (plural) are Hopi spirit messengers who send prayers for rain, bountiful harvests and a prosperous, healthy life for humankind. They are friends and visitors of the Hopi who bring gifts and food, as well as messages to teach appropriate behavior and the consequences of unacceptable behavior. Katsinam, of which there are over two hundred and fifty different types, represent various beings, from animals to clouds. During their stay at Hopi, the katsinam appear among Hopi people in physical form, singing and dancing in ceremonies. The Katsinam who carry out the religious dances are sacred to the Hopi. The small, brightly painted wooden figures known as kachina dolls are called tihu by Hopi people. Tihu have important meaning because they are symbols of Katsina spirits, originally created by the Katsinam in their physical embodiment."

There are three katsinam pertinent to this discussion. The first is Kokopolo, the Hopi katsina associated with fertility. He is often depicted in art with phallic characteristics and possessing a hump. The Kokopolo katsina never owned, carried or played a flute. But he might carry a cane. The second is Leenangwkatsina or the Flute kachina. He does carry a flute. The third katsina is "Maahu," the cicada. The kachina doll is never depicted as carrying a flute.

What appears to have happened is that the characteristics of Kokopolo were changed to include those of either Leenang or Maahu and his named was Anglicized to "kokopelli."

The problems with the rock art are numerous. First, when the early investigators saw the humpbacked creatures, they assumed them to be variations of a single creature, rather than possibly distinctly different creatures. Second, investigators then and now often took the humpbacked creatures out of the context of the surrounding scene that possessed many creatures. The scene as a whole could have been the depiction of a clan, a village, a ceremony or some other event.

Third, the "search for kokopelli" has resulted finding examples of the humpbacked fluteplayer across a wide geographically region without much thought given to which culture existed in a given area or of time periods, and the investigators chose to identify the rock art with a Hopi katsina even though many of the creatures predate the Hopi and are outside their cultural area.

In the Southwestern rock art (paintings and petroglyphs), the earliest flute players are stick figure depictions dating from the Basketmaker III period (AD 400-700). They are often seated and lack humps. Other flute player figures have been dated to the Pueblo III period (1100-1300) and in the New Mexico Rio Grande area, there are flute players that date to the Pueblo IV period (after 1400). These include numerous petroglyphs left by the Hopi flute societies.

In the Blue Flute Clan, the flute player was known as Lahlanhoya and was a clan symbol. On their ancient migrations, the members of the clan left the emblem carved on on cliffs and village walls. Every detail of the flute player has meaning and surrounding figures can be important.

Many of the humpbacked creatures are depictions of "Maahu," the cicada. Second only to spider in importance, some believe the cicada is to be the owner of the flute, since the sound of the insect is similar to that coming from a "leena," or flute. A cicada also has a hump and distinct proboscis that resembles a flute. Of great importance is that it is believed that the "flute playing" of the cicada causes "mumkiw," the gradual heating of the earth that ripens crops.

None of the old carvings of the Kokopolo katsina ever show him holding a flute. However, due to a process called "bilaterial acculturation" (a culture adapting a misrepresentation of a cultural trait popularized outside their culture), many modern artists will craft the kastina with a flute and even call him Kokopelli. Most of these are non-Hopi.

In short, the humpbacked fluteplayer is not "Kokopelli," but as is the case with so many popularized folk heroes, "Kokopelli The Fluteplayer" will always exist.
Return to Top