Thomas Doty – Storyteller

Refresh for Current Content

---

Koomookumpts

Koomookumpts, trickster and creator of the Klamaths and Modocs, wears many masks.

In one story he is Old Marten, battling the Crater Lake spirit Llao for the life of Weasel, his younger brother. In another myth, like the Greek Orpheus and the Nez Perce Coyote, Koomookumpts travels to the Land of the Dead to bring his dead daughter back to life, only to fail and bring death into the world forever. Sometimes Koomookumpts wears the mask of the sun. When there is a ring around the sun, that's Koomookumpts in his winter lodge, sitting indoors to wait out the coming storm.

Koomookumpts, "ancient old man," wearer of many masks, mirror of humankind.

---