Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney
126. Plant lore 420
VI--Notes and parallels 428
VII--Glossary 506
ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
Plate I. In the Cherokee mountains 11
II. Map: The Cherokee and their neighbors. 14
III. Map: The old Cherokee country 23
IV. Sequoya (Sikwâyi) 108
V. The Cherokee alphabet 112
VI. Tahchee (Tatsi) or Dutch 140
VII. Spring-frog or Tooantuh (Du'stu') 142
VIII. John Ross (Gu'wisguwi') 150
IX. Colonel W. H. Thomas (Wil-Usdi') 160
X. Chief N. J. Smith (Tsaladihi') 178
XI. Swimmer (A`yûñ'ini) 228
XII. John Ax (Itagû'nûhi) 238
XIII. Tagwadihi' 256
XIV. Ayâsta 272
XV. Sawanu'gi, a Cherokee ball player 284
XVI. Nikwasi' mound at Franklin, North Carolina 337
XVII. Annie Ax (Sadayi) 358
XVIII. Walini', a Cherokee woman 378
XIX. On Oconaluftee river 405
XX. Petroglyphs at Track-rock gap, Georgia 418
Figure 1. Feather wand of Eagle dance 282
Chapters
- Chapter 1 Ch.1
- 13. The Great Yellow-jacket: Origin of fish and Ch.2
- 14. The Deluge 261 Ch.3
- 32. Origin of the Groundhog dance: The Groundhog's Ch.4
- 34. The Wolf's revenge: The Wolf and the Dog 280 Ch.5
- 48. The Hunter and the Buzzard 294 Ch.6
- 62. The Katydid's warning 311 Ch.7
- 87. The water cannibals 349 Ch.8
- 111. The mounds and the constant fire: The old Ch.9
- 126. Plant lore 420 Ch.10
- 2. Ancient Iroquois wampum belts 354 Ch.11
- 1. Be it known this day, That the various clans or tribes which Ch.12
- 2. The aforesaid clans or tribes have also agreed that if, in Ch.13
- 3. If a man have a horse stolen, and overtake the thief, and should Ch.14
- 1813. Jackson commanded in person with two thousand infantry and Ch.15
- 1817. They viewed with jealous and aching hearts all attempts to drive Ch.16
- 1817. [259] Ch.17
- 1836. [315] Ch.18
- 770. [382] These immigrants settled chiefly along the Verdigris, in the Ch.19
- 1840. He asserted that it was a translation of a manuscript in the Ch.20
- 1525. As these voyages were not followed up by permanent occupation Ch.21
- 1750. Ancient mining indications are also reported from Kings mountain, Ch.22
- 1779. Soon after in the same year he led a preliminary exploration Ch.23
- episode); author's personal information. Ch.24
- 1776. Important treaties were made here with the Cherokee in 1785, Ch.25
- 1859. Having removed to Vermont with his father while still a child, Ch.26
- introduction into the Nation of schoolmasters, blacksmiths, mechanics, Ch.27
- 1. HOW THE WORLD WAS MADE Ch.28
- 2. THE FIRST FIRE Ch.29
- 3. KANA'TI AND SELU: THE ORIGIN OF GAME AND CORN Ch.30
- 4. ORIGIN OF DISEASE AND MEDICINE Ch.31
- 5. THE DAUGHTER OF THE SUN Ch.32
- 6. HOW THEY BROUGHT BACK THE TOBACCO Ch.33
- 7. THE JOURNEY TO THE SUNRISE Ch.34
- 8. THE MOON AND THE THUNDERS. Ch.35
- 9. WHAT THE STARS ARE LIKE Ch.36
- 10. ORIGIN OF THE PLEIADES AND THE PINE Ch.37
- 11. THE MILKY WAY Ch.38
- 12. ORIGIN OF STRAWBERRIES Ch.39
- 13. THE GREAT YELLOW-JACKET: ORIGIN OF FISH AND FROGS Ch.40
- 14. THE DELUGE Ch.41
- 15. THE FOURFOOTED TRIBES Ch.42
- 16. THE RABBIT GOES DUCK HUNTING Ch.43
- 17. HOW THE RABBIT STOLE THE OTTER'S COAT Ch.44
- 18. WHY THE POSSUM'S TAIL IS BARE Ch.45
- 19. HOW THE WILDCAT CAUGHT THE GOBBLER Ch.46
- 20. HOW THE TERRAPIN BEAT THE RABBIT Ch.47
- 21. THE RABBIT AND THE TAR WOLF Ch.48
- 22. THE RABBIT AND THE POSSUM AFTER A WIFE Ch.49
- 23. THE RABBIT DINES THE BEAR Ch.50
- 24. THE RABBIT ESCAPES FROM THE WOLVES Ch.51
- 25. FLINT VISITS THE RABBIT Ch.52
- 26. HOW THE DEER GOT HIS HORNS Ch.53
- 27. WHY THE DEER'S TEETH ARE BLUNT Ch.54
- 28. WHAT BECAME OF THE RABBIT Ch.55
- 29. WHY THE MINK SMELLS Ch.56
- 30. WHY THE MOLE LIVES UNDERGROUND Ch.57
- 31. THE TERRAPIN'S ESCAPE FROM THE WOLVES Ch.58
- 32. ORIGIN OF THE GROUNDHOG DANCE: THE GROUNDHOG'S HEAD Ch.59
- 33. THE MIGRATION OF THE ANIMALS Ch.60
- 34. THE WOLF'S REVENGE--THE WOLF AND THE DOG Ch.61
- 35. THE BIRD TRIBES Ch.62
- 36. THE BALL GAME OF THE BIRDS AND ANIMALS Ch.63
- 37. HOW THE TURKEY GOT HIS BEARD Ch.64
- 38. WHY THE TURKEY GOBBLES Ch.65
- 39. HOW THE KINGFISHER GOT HIS BILL Ch.66
- 40. HOW THE PARTRIDGE GOT HIS WHISTLE Ch.67
- 41. HOW THE REDBIRD GOT HIS COLOR Ch.68
- 42. THE PHEASANT BEATING CORN; ORIGIN OF THE PHEASANT DANCE Ch.69
- 43. THE RACE BETWEEN THE CRANE AND THE HUMMINGBIRD Ch.70
- 44. THE OWL GETS MARRIED Ch.71
- 45. THE HUHU GETS MARRIED Ch.72
- 46. WHY THE BUZZARD'S HEAD IS BARE Ch.73
- 47. THE EAGLE'S REVENGE Ch.74
- 48. THE HUNTER AND THE BUZZARD Ch.75
- 49. THE SNAKE TRIBE Ch.76
- 50. THE UKTENA AND THE ULÛÑSÛ'TI Ch.77
- 51. ÂGAN-UNI'TSI'S SEARCH FOR THE UKTENA Ch.78
- 52. THE RED MAN AND THE UKTENA Ch.79
- 53. THE HUNTER AND THE UKSU'HI Ch.80
- 54. THE USTÛ'TLI Ch.81
- 55. THE UW'TSÛÑ'TA Ch.82
- 56. THE SNAKE BOY Ch.83
- 57. THE SNAKE MAN Ch.84
- 58. THE RATTLESNAKE'S VENGEANCE Ch.85
- 59. THE SMALLER REPTILES--FISHES AND INSECTS Ch.86
- 60. WHY THE BULLFROG'S HEAD IS STRIPED Ch.87
- 61. THE BULLFROG LOVER Ch.88
- 62. THE KATYDID'S WARNING Ch.89
- 63. ÛÑTSAIYI', THE GAMBLER Ch.90
- 64. THE NEST OF THE TLA'NUWA Ch.91
- 65. THE HUNTER AND THE TLA'NUWA Ch.92
- 66. U`TLÛÑ'TA, THE SPEAR-FINGER Ch.93
- 67. NÛÑ'YUNU'WI, THE STONE MAN Ch.94
- 68. THE HUNTER IN THE DAKWA' Ch.95
- 69. ATAGÂ'HI, THE ENCHANTED LAKE Ch.96
- 70. THE BRIDE FROM THE SOUTH Ch.97
- 71. THE ICE MAN Ch.98
- 72. THE HUNTER AND SELU Ch.99
- 73. THE UNDERGROUND PANTHERS Ch.100
- 74. THE TSUNDIGE'WI Ch.101
- 75. ORIGIN OF THE BEAR: THE BEAR SONGS Ch.102
- 76. THE BEAR MAN Ch.103
- 77. THE GREAT LEECH OF TLANUSI'YI Ch.104
- 78. THE NÛÑNE'HI AND OTHER SPIRIT FOLK Ch.105
- 79. THE REMOVED TOWNHOUSES Ch.106
- 80. THE SPIRIT DEFENDERS OF NIKWASI' Ch.107
- 81. TSUL`KALÛ', THE SLANT-EYED GIANT Ch.108
- 82. KANA'STA, THE LOST SETTLEMENT Ch.109
- 83. TSUWE'NAHI: A LEGEND OF PILOT KNOB Ch.110
- 84. THE MAN WHO MARRIED THE THUNDER'S SISTER Ch.111
- 85. THE HAUNTED WHIRLPOOL Ch.112
- 86. YAHULA Ch.113
- 87. THE WATER CANNIBALS Ch.114
- 88. FIRST CONTACT WITH WHITES Ch.115
- 89. THE IROQUOIS WARS Ch.116
- 90. HIADEONI, THE SENECA Ch.117
- 91. THE TWO MOHAWKS Ch.118
- 92. ESCAPE OF THE SENECA BOYS Ch.119
- 93. THE UNSEEN HELPERS Ch.120
- 94. HATCINOÑDOÑ'S ESCAPE FROM THE CHEROKEE Ch.121
- 95. HEMP-CARRIER Ch.122
- 96. THE SENECA PEACEMAKERS Ch.123
- 97. ORIGIN OF THE YONTOÑWISAS DANCE Ch.124
- 98. GA'NA'S ADVENTURES AMONG THE CHEROKEE Ch.125
- 99. THE SHAWANO WARS Ch.126
- 100. THE RAID ON TIKWALI'TSI Ch.127
- 101. THE LAST SHAWANO INVASION Ch.128
- 102. THE FALSE WARRIORS OF CHILHOWEE Ch.129
- 103. COWEE TOWN Ch.130
- 104. THE EASTERN TRIBES Ch.131
- 105. THE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN TRIBES Ch.132
- 1819. Still another may have existed at one time on Tuskegee creek, Ch.133
- 106. THE GIANTS FROM THE WEST Ch.134
- 107. THE LOST CHEROKEE Ch.135
- 108. THE MASSACRE OF THE ANI'-KUTA'NI Ch.136
- 109. THE WAR MEDICINE Ch.137
- 110. INCIDENTS OF PERSONAL HEROISM Ch.138
- 111. THE MOUNDS AND THE CONSTANT FIRE: THE OLD SACRED THINGS Ch.139
- 112. THE IGNORANT HOUSEKEEPER Ch.140
- 113. THE MAN IN THE STUMP Ch.141
- 114. TWO LAZY HUNTERS Ch.142
- 115. THE TWO OLD MEN Ch.143
- 116. THE STAR FEATHERS Ch.144
- 117. THE MOTHER BEAR'S SONG Ch.145
- 118. BABY SONG, TO PLEASE THE CHILDREN Ch.146
- 119. WHEN BABIES ARE BORN: THE WREN AND THE CRICKET Ch.147
- 120. THE RAVEN MOCKER Ch.148
- 121. HERBERT'S SPRING Ch.149
- 122. LOCAL LEGENDS OF NORTH CAROLINA Ch.150
- 123. LOCAL LEGENDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA Ch.151
- 124. LOCAL LEGENDS OF TENNESSEE Ch.152
- 1848. So far as is known there was no Cherokee settlement at the place, Ch.153
- 125. LOCAL LEGENDS OF GEORGIA Ch.154
- 1775. There is some reason for believing that it refers to a former Ch.155
- 126. PLANT LORE Ch.156
- 1. How the world was made (p. 239): From decay of the old tradition Ch.157
- 2. The first fire (p. 240): This myth was obtained from Swimmer Ch.158
- 3. Kana'ti and Selu: Origin of corn and game (p. 242): This story Ch.159
- 4. Origin of disease and medicine (p. 250): This myth was obtained Ch.160
- 5. The Daughter of the Sun: Origin of death (p. 252): This is one Ch.161
- 6. How they brought back the tobacco (p. 254): The first version of Ch.162
- 7. The journey to the sunrise (p. 255): This story, obtained Ch.163
- 8. The Moon and the Thunders (p. 256): The story of the sun and the Ch.164
- 9. What the stars are like (p. 257): This story, told by Swimmer, Ch.165
- 10. Origin of the Pleiades and the pine (p. 258): This myth is well Ch.166
- 11. The Milky Way (p. 259): This story, in slightly different forms, Ch.167
- 12. Origin of strawberries (p. 259): This myth, as here given, was Ch.168
- 13. The Great Yellow-jacket: Origin of fish and frogs (p. 260): This Ch.169
- 14. The Deluge (p. 261): This story is given by Schoolcraft in his Ch.170
- 15. The four-footed tribes (p. 261): No essential difference--"I have Ch.171
- 16. The Rabbit goes duck hunting (p. 266): This story was heard from Ch.172
- 17. How the Rabbit stole the Otter's coat (p. 267): This story is well Ch.173
- 18. Why the Possum's tail is bare (p. 269): This story was heard from Ch.174
- 19. How the Wildcat caught the Gobbler (p. 269): This story was heard Ch.175
- 20. How the Terrapin beat the Rabbit (p. 270): This story was Ch.176
- 21. The Rabbit and the tar wolf (p. 271): This story was obtained in Ch.177
- 22. The Rabbit and the Possum after a wife (p. 273): This specimen Ch.178
- 23. The Rabbit dines the Bear (p. 273): This favorite story with Ch.179
- 24. The Rabbit escapes from the wolves (p. 274): This story was Ch.180
- 25. Flint visits the Rabbit (p. 274): This story was told in slightly Ch.181
- 26. How the Deer got his horns (p. 275): This story was heard from Ch.182
- 27. Why the Deer's teeth are blunt (p. 276): This story follows the Ch.183
- 28. What became of the Rabbit (p. 277): This version was obtained Ch.184
- 30. Why the Mole lives underground (p. 277): This story, from John Ax, Ch.185
- 31. The Terrapin's escape from the Wolves (p. 278): This story, Ch.186
- 32. Origin of the Groundhog dance (p. 279): This story is from Ch.187
- 33. The migration of the animals (p. 280): This little story is given Ch.188
- 34. The Wolf's revenge: The Wolf and the Dog (p. 280): These short Ch.189
- 35. The bird tribes (p. 280): The eagle killer--Of the Southern Ch.190
- 36. The ball game of the birds and animals (p. 286): This is one Ch.191
- 37. How the Turkey got his beard (p. 287): This story is well known Ch.192
- 38. Why the Turkey gobbles (p. 288): This story was first heard Ch.193
- 39. How the Kingfisher got his bill (p. 288): The first version is Ch.194
- 40. How the Partridge got his whistle (p. 289): This little story is Ch.195
- 41. How the Redbird got his color (p. 289): This short story was Ch.196
- 42. The Pheasant beating corn: The Pheasant dance (p. 290): The first Ch.197
- 43. The race between the Crane and the Hummingbird (p. 290): This story Ch.198
- 44. The Owl gets married (p. 291): Told by Swimmer. The three owls Ch.199
- 45. The Huhu gets married (p. 292): This story was heard at different Ch.200
- 46. Why the Buzzard's head is bare (p. 293): This story was told Ch.201
- 47. The Eagle's revenge (p. 293): This story, told by John Ax, Ch.202
- 48. The Hunter and the Buzzard (p. 294): Told by Swimmer. The custom Ch.203
- 49. The snake tribe (p. 294): Rattlesnake--The custom of asking Ch.204
- 50. The Uktena and the Ûlûñsû'ti (p. 297): The belief in the great Ch.205
- 51. Âgan-uni'tsi's search for the Uktena (p. 248): This is one of Ch.206
- 52. The Red Man and the Uktena (p. 300): This story was obtained from Ch.207
- 53. The Hunter and the Uksu'hi (p. 301): This story was told by Swimmer Ch.208
- 54. The Ustû'tli (p. 302): This story was told by Swimmer and John Ax Ch.209
- 55. The Uw`tsûñ'ta (p. 303): This story was obtained from James Ch.210
- 56. The Snake Boy (p. 304): This myth was told by Swimmer. Ch.211
- 57. The Snake Man (p. 304): This myth, obtained from Chief Smith, Ch.212
- 58. The Rattlesnake's vengeance (p. 305): This story, told by Swimmer, Ch.213
- 59. The smaller reptiles, fishes, and insects (p. 306): Ch.214
- 60. Why the Bullfrog's head is striped (p. 310): The first version is Ch.215
- 61. The Bullfrog lover (p. 310): The first amusing little tale was Ch.216
- 63. Ûñtsaiyi', the Gambler (p. 311): This story was obtained from Ch.217
- 64. The nest of the Tla'nuwa (p. 315): This story was obtained first Ch.218
- 65. The hunter and the Tla'nuwa (p. 316): This myth was told by Ch.219
- 66. U`tlûñ'ta, the Spear-finger (p. 316): This is one of the most Ch.220
- 67. Nûñyunu'wi, the Stone Man (p. 319): This myth, although obtained Ch.221
- 68. The hunter in the Dakwa'--This story was told by Swimmer and Ch.222
- 69. Atagâ'hi, the enchanted lake (p. 321): This story was heard Ch.223
- 70. The bride from the south (p. 322): This unique allegory was heard Ch.224
- 71. The Ice Man (p. 322): This story, told by Swimmer, may be a veiled Ch.225
- 72. The Hunter and Selu (p. 323): The explanation of this story, Ch.226
- 73. The Underground Panthers (p. 324): This story was told by John Ch.227
- 74. The Tsundige'wi (p. 325): This curious story was told by Swimmer Ch.228
- 75. Origin of the Bear (p. 325): This story was told by Swimmer, Ch.229
- 76. The Bear Man (p. 327): This story was obtained first from Ch.230
- 77. The Great Leech of Tlanusi'yi (p. 329): This legend was heard Ch.231
- 78. The Nûñne'hi and other spirit folk (p. 330): The belief in fairies Ch.232
- 79. The removed townhouses (p. 335): The first of these stories Ch.233
- 80. The spirit defenders of Nikwasi' (p. 336): This story was obtained Ch.234
- 81. Tsul`kalû', the slant-eyed giant (p. 337): The story of Tsul`kalû' Ch.235
- 82. Kana'sta, the lost settlement (p. 341): This story, obtained Ch.236
- 83. Tsuwe'nahi, a legend of Pilot knob (p. 343): This story, from Ch.237
- 84. The man who married the Thunder's sister (p. 345): This story was Ch.238
- 85. The haunted whirlpool (p. 347): This legend was related by an Ch.239
- 86. Yahula (p. 347): This fine myth was obtained in the Territory Ch.240
- 87. The water cannibals (p. 349): This story was obtained from Swimmer Ch.241
- 88. First contact with whites (p. 350): The story of the jug of Ch.242
- 89. The Iroquois wars (p. 351): The Iroquois league--The Iroquois Ch.243
- 90. Hiadeoni, the Seneca (p. 356): Of this story Schoolcraft says: Ch.244
- 92. Escape of the Seneca boys (p. 359): The manuscript notes from Ch.245
- 93. The Unseen Helpers (p. 359): The meaning of the Seneca name can Ch.246
- 94. Hatcinoñdoñ's escape from the Cherokee (p. 362): The Seneca name Ch.247
- 95. Hemp-carrier (p. 364): This story of the old wars was obtained Ch.248
- 96. The Seneca peacemakers (p. 365): This story was told to Schoolcraft Ch.249
- 97. Origin of the Yontoñwisas dance (p. 365): This is evidently the Ch.250
- 98. Ga'na's adventures among the Cherokee (p. 367): This story, Ch.251
- 99. The Shawano wars (p. 370): The chief authority as to the expulsion Ch.252
- 93. There are also a few scattered among other tribes. For detailed Ch.253
- 100. The raid on Tikwali'tsi (p. 374): Swimmer, from whom this story Ch.254
- 101. The last Shawano invasion (p. 374): This story also is from Ch.255
- 102. The false warriors of Chilhowee (p. 375): This story was given Ch.256
- 104. The eastern tribes (p. 378): Delaware--The Delawares derive Ch.257
- 105. The southern and western tribes (p. 382): The Creek Ch.258
- 1692. They probably joined the Creeks about the same time as their Ch.259
- 1845. In 1898 the citizen population of the Creek Nation numbered Ch.260
- 1808. In 1825 they ceded all their claims in Missouri and Arkansas, Ch.261
- 106. The Giants from the west (p. 391): This may be an exaggerated Ch.262
- 107. The lost Cherokee (p. 391): This tradition as here given is taken Ch.263
- part 1, and The Last of Our Cannibals, in Harper's Magazine, August, Ch.264
- 108. The massacre of the Ani'-Kuta'ni (p. 392): Swimmer, Ta'gwadihi', Ch.265
- 109. The war medicine (p. 393): The first two paragraphs are from Ch.266
- 110. Incidents of personal heroism (p. 394): The incident of the Ch.267
- 111. The mounds and the constant fire: The old sacred things (p. 395): Ch.268
- 116. The star feathers (p. 399): This story was obtained from John Ch.269
- 117. The mother bear's song (p. 400): The first of these songs was Ch.270
- 118. Baby song, to please the children (p. 401): This song is well Ch.271
- 119. When babies are born: The wren and the cricket (p. 401): These Ch.272
- 120. The Raven Mocker (p. 401): The grewsome belief in the "Raven Ch.273
- 121. Herbert's spring (p. 403): The subject of this old trader's Ch.274
- 126. Plant lore (p. 420): For ceremonies, prayers, and precautions used Ch.275
- 381. The name is not connected with gi`li, dog. Ch.276
- 1810. See page 86. Ch.277
- 1795. See page 79. The literal Cherokee translation of "Long-hair" Ch.278
- 1730. Both the correct form and the meaning of the name are uncertain; Ch.279
- 4. Tahlequah, established as the capital of the Cherokee Nation, Ch.280
- 1. An ancient settlement on the upper part of Tallulah river, in Ch.281
- 2. another was on the north bank of Tennessee river, just below Ch.282
- 1830. See page 141. Ch.283
- 124. Before the establishment of the town the place was known to Ch.284
- 13. The word signifies "leader," "boss," or "principal one," and Ch.285
- 63. The common word is wude'ligûñ'yi, q. v., while the term in the Ch.286
- 1832. The treaty is not mentioned by the Tennessee historians. Ch.287
- 1880. Pickett says Jackson had "767 men, with 200 friendly Indians"; Ch.288
- 1834. The volume of Cherokee laws, compiled in the Cherokee language Ch.289
- 1823. From a contemporary reference in Rivers, South Carolina, page Ch.290