Kokopelli has been worshipped since at least the time of the Ancient Pueblo Peoples.[1] The first known images of him appear on Hohokam pottery dated to sometime between AD 750 and AD 850.[1] Kokopelli may have originally been a representation of ancient Aztec traders, known as pochtecas, who traveled to this region from northern Mesoamerica. These traders brought their goods in sacks slung across their backs and this sack may have evolved into Kokopelli's familiar hump (in fact, many tribes make Kokopelli a trader in this way.[1] These men also used flutes to announce themselves as friendly as they approached a settlement.[1] This origin is still in doubt, however, since the first known images of Kokopelli predate the major era of Aztec-Anasazi trade by several hundred years.[1] Kokopelli and Kokopelli Mana as depicted by the Hopi. Another theory is that Kokopelli is actually an anthropomorphic insect. Many of the earliest depictions of Kokopelli make him very insect-like in appearance. The name "Kokopelli" may be a combination of "Koko", another Hopi and Zuni deity, and "pelli",[3] the Hopi and Zuni word for the desert robber fly, an insect with a prominent proboscis and a rounded back, which is also noted for its zealous sexual proclivities. A more recent etymology is that Kokopelli means literally "kachina hump". Because the Hopi were the tribe from whom the Spanish explorers first learned of the god,[1] their name is the one most commonly used. I worked in Old Town for many years and although I am not a fan of the "Southwest Style" decor, I do love my kokopelli magnet. I have this same metal object as a wall hanging, it's approximately 36" tall. I like his cheeks.

Need more space for baking/serving dishes? I have two words for you: shoe racks. Inexpensive and stackable, you can find a style that matches your decor. I have more of these in the studio for dishes and photo props. One of my ongoing themes for early 2010 is organization. I've been slowly adding shelves to the kitchen for the last few months. I still need more, but don't we all?