Coyote mythology: Encyclopedia - Coyote mythology

Coyote (mythology)

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.

Coyote mythology - Coyote in mythology

Coyote 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.

Coyote mythology - 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.

Coyote mythology - 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 mythology - 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 mythology - Coyote in popular culture

Wile E. Coyote is a Warner Brothers cartoon coyote who is endlessly trying to catch and eat an extremely fast Road Runner with his tricks, many of which 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 roll, Bugs Bunny is the most representative of Coyote's versitility.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Coyote mythology", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki