It's fascinating how the inspiration for Coty's perfume, Nokomis, could potentially be traced back to the 1995 Disney movie, "Pocahontas." Released just a couple of years before the launch of Nokomis, "Pocahontas" was a significant cultural event, particularly for its portrayal of Native American culture and themes of nature, connection, and spirituality.
Now, while Nokomis itself was named after the Ojibwe word for "grandmother," which holds deep significance within Native American culture, the connection to "Pocahontas" might lie in the broader cultural awareness and appreciation for Native American traditions and stories that the movie helped to foster.
In "Pocahontas," the character of Grandmother Willow serves as a wise and spiritual guide to the titular character. While Nokomis in Ojibwe tradition is not directly tied to Pocahontas or Grandmother Willow, the association with the term "grandmother" could evoke similar feelings of wisdom, guidance, and connection to nature that are present in both the movie and the fragrance.
Furthermore, the mention of Nokomis as a character in Longfellow's "The Song of Hiawatha" adds another layer to this potential inspiration. Longfellow's poem, though not directly related to "Pocahontas," is part of the broader cultural tapestry that includes Native American themes and characters, much like the Disney film.
So, while there may not be a direct link between Nokomis perfume and "Pocahontas," the cultural milieu of the mid-1990s, with its heightened interest in Native American stories and themes, likely played a role in shaping Coty's choice of name and perhaps the overall aesthetic and messaging of the fragrance.
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
By The Shores of Gitche Gumee
By The Shining Big Sea Water
Stood The Wigwam of Nokomis
Daughter of the Moon Nokomis
