Coyote (mythology)
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Coyote is a mythological figure common to many Native American cultures, based on the coyote animal. This character is usually male and is generally anthropomorphic although he may have some coyote-like physical features such as fur, pointed ears, yellow eyes, tail and claws. The myths and legends which include Coyote vary widely from culture to culture.
Coyote in mythology
The trickster
He often plays the role of trickster, although in some stories he is a buffoon and the butt of jokes and in a few is outright evil. His personality traits are usually greed, recklessness, impulsiveness and jealousy. Coyote is often the antagonist of his brother Wolf, who is wise and good natured but prone to giving in to Coyote's incessant demands. In Tongva Mythology, it is Coyote who is tricked. Coyote challenges "The River" to a race. Coyote is victorious, but collapses from fatigue. The river laughs at him and takes the name "Hahamongna," which is said to explain the noise made by the upper Arroyo Seco which sounds similar to laughing.The creator
Coyote figures prominently in several creation myths. In one myth Coyote creates the first people by kicking a ball of mud (sometimes a bit of feces) until it formed into the first man. In another myth Coyote is able to successfully impregnate an evil woman who has killed off all the other men in the world during the sexual act.Coyote is also commonly a character in "just-so stories", in which he unsuccessfully tries to hunt prey or compete with other predators. In the process phenomena such as why rabbits have long ears are explained.
The culture hero
Coyote also plays the role of a hero, or even a culture hero, in some stories. In these stories, he actually proves to be helpful (and sometimes genuinely heroic).Coyote in the modern world
Perhaps because stories that feature his tricks are popular with children, Coyote figures prominently in current efforts to educate young people about Western North American native languages and cultures. For example, the Secwepemc people of the Kamloops Indian Band in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, have designated their recently opened native elementary school the Sk'elep (Coyote) School of Excellence, while educational websites such as one co-sponsored by the Neskonlith Indian Band of Chase, British Columbia prominently feature stories about Sk'elep (see "[Stseptekwle]" [pronounced S-chep-tek-wool-eh]).Coyote in popular culture
Coyote the Trickster appeared as a character in an episode of Disney's Gargoyles cartoon series.Wile E. Coyote is a Warner Brothers cartoon coyote who is endlessly trying to catch and eat an extremely fast Road Runner. The tricks he uses to do this usually involve technology or Rube Goldberg machines. His efforts are always futile, and he usually harms himself in the effort. It is likely that the stereotype of Coyote-as-trickster helped form the basis of this protagonist.
Most of the other Warner Brothers cartoon characters also share some qualities with Coyote. Even though Wile E. Coyote and Daffy Duck are obviously the most representative of Coyote's trickster role, Bugs Bunny is the most representative of Coyote's versatility.
Coyote is also featured as part of White Wolf, Inc.'s as a Totem for the Garou (werewolves) and even more so for the Nuwisha (were-coyotes).
External links
- [Native American Trickster Tales]
- [In Cahoots with Coyote]
- [Coyote, He/She Was Going There: Sex and Gender in Native American Trickster Stories]
- [Trickster: Shaman of the Liminal]
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