The Story of Noqoilpi the Great Gambler
In Navajo tradition, Noqoilpi was a powerful gambler who challenged and defeated all who came to him, taking their possessions and even their freedom. He was said to live at the base of Chʼóolʼį́ʼí (Great Spruce Mountain or El Capitan). Noqoilpi gambled with entire nations, winning their wealth and enslaving their people. The Holy People decided he had grown too powerful and needed to be stopped. They sent a challenger who gambled with Noqoilpi in a series of contests. The challenger, aided by the Holy People, finally beat Noqoilpi at the moccasin game and other gambling games. Defeated, Noqoi