Place of Origin: Southern Africa
Origin Date: Ancient times, specific date unknown
Domain: Motherhood, creation
Symbols: Marmot, Cape hyrax, bees
Attributes: Motherhood, creation
Epithets: Coti
Equivalents: None
Religion: San religion
Sacred Texts: Oral traditions and myths
Iconography: Depicted as a marmot or Cape hyrax in rock art
Relations: Wife of ǀKágge̥n, mother of ǃXo (Porcupine)
Description
ǀHúnntuǃattǃatte̥n, also known as Coti, is a significant figure in the mythology of the San people of Southern Africa. She is the wife of ǀKágge̥n (Cagn), the trickster god and demiurge, and is often depicted as a dassie (rock hyrax). She is revered as the mother of bees and plays a nurturing role in the San cosmology. Her adopted daughter, ǃXo (Porcupine), and her connection to other mythological beings highlight her importance in the intricate web of San folklore. The San people's spiritual beliefs, deeply rooted in animism, reflect their profound respect for nature and the interconnectedness of all beings.
She is often depicted as a marmot or Cape hyrax. She plays a significant role in the creation myths of the San people.
Narratives
The Creation of the Eland (Date Unknown)
Summary: In this myth, ǀHúnntuǃattǃatte̥n (Coti) plays a central role as the mother of the sacred eland. She gives birth to the eland and nurtures it until it is tragically killed by ǀKágge̥n’s sons. The blood of the eland is used to create other animals, including snakes and hartebeests, and eventually a herd of eland. This story highlights her nurturing nature and her role in the cycle of creation.
The Marriage of ǀHúnntuǃattǃatte̥n’s Daughter (Date Unknown)
Summary: ǀHúnntuǃattǃatte̥n, as the mother of ǃXo (Porcupine), supports her daughter’s marriage to Ichneumon, a mongoose-like creature. The story explores themes of family relationships and the interconnectedness of all beings in the natural world.
The Eland and the Meerkats (Date Unknown)
Summary: In this tale, ǀHúnntuǃattǃatte̥n assists ǀKágge̥n in creating a herd of eland after the original eland is killed. She cleans the pot and adds fat from the eland’s heart, which ǀKágge̥n uses to create the herd. This story emphasizes her role as a collaborator in the creative process and her connection to the sacred eland.
Worship Beliefs and Practices
Honored through storytelling and rituals, particularly those involving bees and the eland.