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Cocopah - Arizona (U.S.)

Native American

image by Donald Healy, 30 December 2007

The band
The flag

See also:

The Band

map image by Peter Orenski based on input from Don Healy

Cocopah - Arizona

In southwestern Arizona lies the homeland of the Cocopah, who call themselves Xawitt Kunyavaei, or the "River People". The Cocopah once shared the Cocopah Reservation with the Yuma and Maricopa Tribes, but the Maricopa and Cocopah withdrew, leaving the reservation in the hands of Yuma Indians. The Cocopah, however, still live in and around the town of Somerton, Arizona (TDAI).

The Flag

The Cocopah flag is white with a full-color image of the tribal seal in the center (Letter, unsigned, dated 17 Nov. 1994). The seal shows a Cocopah warrior spear-fishing in the Colorado River, which was essential to the life of the Cocopah. At the warrior's feet are several salmon-colored fish and in the background is a stand of corn, both staples of the Cocopah diet. Also in the background are a wikiyup, the traditional house, and a ramada, a shelter from the hot desert sun, both in gray. Purple hills, a yellow sun, desert rocks in gray, and plants in green complete the picture. The overall design shows the traditions of this desert-dwelling Nation dependent on the Colorado River.

© Donald Healy 2008
information provided by Peter Orenski, 30 December 2007