Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney

the name occurs again as Moyatoy in a document of 1792; a boy upon the East Cherokee reservation a few years ago bore the name of Ma'tayi', for which no meaning can be given. Muscle shoals--see Dagû'nâhi. Nacoochee--see Na'gu`tsi'. Na'dû`li'--known to the whites as Nottely. A former Cherokee settlement on Nottely river, close to the Georgia line, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. The name cannot be translated and has no connection with na`tû`li, "spicewood." Nagu`tsi'--a former important settlement about the junction of Soquee and Santee rivers, in Nacoochee valley, at the head of Chattahoochee river, in Habersham county, Georgia. The meaning of the word is lost and it is doubtful if it be of Cherokee origin. It may have some connection with the name of the Uchee Indians. The great mound farther up Sautee river, in White county, was known to the Cherokee as Itsâ'ti, q. v. nakwisi' (abbreviated nakw`si)--star; also the meadow lark. nakwisi'usdi'--"little star"; the puff ball fungus (Lycoperdon?). Nâ'na-tlu`gûñ'yi (abbreviated Nâ'na-tlu`gûñ', or Nâ'na-tsu`gûñ')--"Spruce-tree place," from nâ'na, spruce, tlu`gûñ'i or tsu`gûñ'i, a tree (standing) and yi, locative. 1. A traditional ancient Cherokee settlement on the site of Jonesboro, Washington county, Tennessee. The name of Nolichucky river is probably a corruption of the same word. 2. Nâna-tsu`gûñ, a place on Nottely river, close to its junction with Hiwassee, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. Nanehi--see Nûñne'hi. Nantahala--see Nûñdaye'`li. Nashville--see Dagû'nawe'lâhi. Natchez--see Ani'-Na`tsi. Na`ts-asûñ'tlûñyi (abbreviated Na`ts-asûñ'tlûñ)--"Pine-footlog place," from na`tsi, pine, asûñ'tli or asûñtlûñ'i, footlog, bridge, and yi, locative. A former Cherokee settlement, commonly known as Pinelog, on the creek of the same name, in Bartow county, Georgia. na`tsi--pine. na'tsikû'--"I eat it" (tsi'kiû', "I am eating"). na`tû`li--spicewood (Lindera benzoin). Naye'hi--see Nûñne'hi. Nayunuwi--see Nûñyunu'wi. nehanduyanû'--a song form for nehadu'yanû', an irregular verbal form denoting "conceived in the womb." See number 75. Nellawgitehi--given as the name of a Lower Cherokee chief in 1684. See page 31. The correct form and meaning are both uncertain, but the final part seems to be the common suffix dihi'--, "killer," Cf. Ta'gwadihi'. Nenetooyah--see Iskagua. Nequassee--see Ni'kwasi'. Nettecawaw--see gatayû'sti. Nettle-carrier--see Tâle'danigi'ski. New Echota, Newtown--see Itsâ'ti. Nickajack--see Nikutse'gi. Nicotani--see Ani'-Kuta'ni. Nikwasi' (or Nikw'si')--an important ancient settlement on Little Tennessee river, where now is the town of Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina. A large mound marks the site of the townhouse. The name appears in old documents as Nequassee, Nucassee, etc. Its meaning is lost. Nikutse'gi (also Nûkatse'gi, Nikwatse'gi, or abbreviated Nikutseg')--Nickajack, an important Cherokee settlement about 1790 on the south bank of Tennessee river at the entrance of Nickajack creek, in Marion county, Tennessee. One of the five Chickamauga towns (see Tsikama'gi). The meaning of the word is lost and it is probably not of Cherokee origin, although it occurs also in the tribe as a man's name. In the corrupted form of "Nigger Jack," it occurs also as the name of a creek of Cullasagee river above Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina. Nilaque--see Amaye`l-e'gwa. Nolichucky--see Nâ'natlu`gûñ'yi. Notchy--a creek entering Tellico river, in Monroe county, Tennessee. The name evidently refers to Natchez Indian refugees, who formerly lived in the vicinity (see Ani'-Na`tsi). Nottely--see Na'dû`li'. nû--used as a suffix to denote "and," or "also"; û'le-`nû, "and also"; na'ski`-nû', "and that," "that also." Nucassee--see Nikwasi'. nu'dûñnelû'--he did so and so; an irregular form apparently connected with the archaic forms adûñni'ga, "it has just become so," and udûñnû', "it is matured, or finished." See number 118. nûñ'da'--the sun or moon, distinguished as nûñ'da' ige'hi, "nûñ'dã' dwelling in the day," and nûñ'da' sûñnâ'yehi, "nûñ'da' dwelling in the night." In the sacred formulas the moon is sometimes called Ge`yagu'ga, q. v., or Su'talidihi', "Six-killer," names apparently founded upon myths now lost. nûñ'da'-dika`ni--a rare bird formerly seen occasionally in the old Cherokee country, possibly the little blue heron (Floridus cerulea). The name seems to mean "it looks at the sun," i. e., "sun-gazer," from nûñ'da', sun, and da'ka`na' or detsi'ka`na, "I am looking at it." See number 35. Nûñ'dâgûñ'yi, Nûñdâ'yi--the Sun land, or east; from nûñda', sun, and yi, locative. Used in the sacred formulas instead of di'galûñgûñ'yi, "where it rises," the common word. Nûñ'daye`li--"Middle (i. e. Noonday) sun," from nûñda', sun and aye`li, middle; a former Cherokee settlement on Nantahala river, near the present Jarrett station, in Macon county, North Carolina, so called from the high cliffs which shut out the view of the sun until nearly noon. The name appears also as Nantahala, Nantiyallee, Nuntialla, etc. It appears to have been applied properly only to the point on the river where the cliffs are most perpendicular, while the settlement itself was known as Kanu'gû`lâ'yi, "Briertown," q. v. See number 122. Nugatsa'ni--a ridge sloping down to Oconaluftee river, below Cherokee, in Swain county, North Carolina. The word is an archaic form denoting a high ridge with a long gradual slope. See number 122. nûñ'gi'--four. See hi'ski. nugû`la--see kanugû`la. Nuhnayie--see Nûñne'hi. nu'na--potato; the name was originally applied to the wild "pig potato" (Phaseolus), now distinguished as nu'na igâtehi, "swamp-dwelling potato." Nûndawe'gi--see Ani'-Nûndawe'gi. nûñnâ'hi (abbreviated nûñnâ)--a path, trail or road. Nûñnâ'hi-dihi' (abbreviated Nûñ'nâ-dihi')--"Path-killer," literally, "He kills (habitually) in the path," from nûñ'nâhi, path, and ahihi, "he kills" (habitually); "I am killing," tsi'ihû'. A principal chief, about the year 1813. Major John Ridge was originally known by the same name, but afterward took the name, Gûnûñ'da`le'gi, "One who follows the ridge," which the whites made simply Ridge. Nûnnâ'hi-tsune'ga (abbreviated) Nûñnâ-tsune'ga--"White-path," from nûñnâ'hi, path, and tsune'ga, plural of une'ga, white; the form is in the plural, as is common in Indian names, and has probably a symbolic reference to the "white" or peaceful paths spoken of in the opening invocation at the Green corn dance. A noted chief who led the conservative party about 1828. See pages 113, 132. Nûñne'hi (also Gûñne'hi; singular Naye'hi)--a race of invisible spirit people. The name is derived from the verb e'hû', "I dwell, I live," e'hi', "I dwell habitually," and may be rendered "dwellers anywhere," or "those who live anywhere," but implies having always been there, i. e., "Immortals." It has been spelled Nanehi and Nuhnayie by different writers. The singular form Naye'hi occurs also as a personal name, about equivalent to Eda'hi, "One who goes about." See number 78. nuniyu'sti--"potato-like," from nu'na, potato, and iyu'sti, like. A flowering vine with tuberous root somewhat resembling the potato. See number 126. nûñyû'--rock, stone. Cf. nâyu, sand Nûñyû'-gûñwani'ski--"Rock that talks," from nûñyû', rock, and tsiwa'nihû, "I am talking." A rock from which Talking-rock creek of Coosawatee river in Georgia derives its name. See number 125. Nûñ'yunu'wi--contracted from Nûñyû-unu'wi. "Stone-clad," from nûñyû, rock, and agwanu'wû, "I am clothed or covered." A mythic monster, invulnerable by reason of his stony skin. See number 67. The name is also applied sometimes to the stinging ant, dasûñtâli atatsûñski, q. v. It has also been spelled Nayunuwi. Nûñyû'-tlu`gûñi (or Nûñyû-tsu`gûñ'i)--"Tree rock." A notable rock on Hiwassee river, just within the North Carolina line. See number 66 and notes. Nûñyû'-tawi'ska--"Slick rock," from nûñyû', rock, and tawiska, smooth, slick; the form remains unchanged for the locative. 1. Slick-rock creek, entering Little Tennessee river just within the west line of Graham county, North Carolina. 2. A place at the extreme head of Brasstown creek of Hiwassee river, in Towns county, Georgia. Ocoee--see Uwagâ'hi. Oconaluftee--see Egwânul`ti. Oconee--see Ukwû'nû. Oconostota--see Âganstâ'ta. Old Tassel--see Utsi'dsata'. Ooltewah--see Ultiwâ'i. Oolunsade--see Ulûñsû'ti. Oostanaula--see U stana'li. Oostinaleh--see U stana'li. Oothcaloga--see Uy`gilâ'gi. Otacite, Otassite--see Outacity. Otari, Otariyatiqui--mentioned as a place, apparently on the Cherokee frontier, visited by Pardo in 1567. Otari seems to be the Cherokee âtari or âtali, mountain, but the rest of the word is doubtful. See page 28. Ottare--see â'tali. Owasta--given as the name of a Cherokee chief in 1684; the form cannot be identified. See page 31. Ougillogy--see Uy`gilâ'gi. Outacity--given in documents as the name or title of a prominent Cherokee chief about 1720. It appears also as Otacite, Otassite, Outassatah, Wootassite and Wrosetasatow (!), but the form cannot be identified, although it seems to contain the personal name suffix dihi', "killer." Timberlake says (page 71): "There are some other honorary titles among them, conferred in reward of great actions; the first of which is Outacity or Man-killer, and the second Colona or the Raven." Outassatah--see Outacity. Owassa--see Ayuhwa'si. Paint-town--see Ani'-Wâ'dihi'. Path-killer--see Nûñnâ'hi-dihi'. Phoenix, Cherokee--see Tsule'hisanûñ'hi. Pigeon River--see Wâyi. Pine Indians--see Ani'-Na`tsi. Pinelog--see Na`ts-asûñ'tlûñyi. Qualatchee--a former Cherokee settlement on the headwaters of the Chattahoochee river in Georgia; another of the same name was upon the waters of Keowee river in South Carolina. The correct form is unknown. Qualla--see Kwali. Quaxule--see Guaxule. Quinahaqui--a place, possibly in the Cherokee country, visited by Pardo in 1567. The form cannot be identified. See page 28. Quoneashee--see Tlanusi'yi. Rattlesnake springs--see Utsanatiyi. Rattling-gourd--see Ganse`ti. Raventown--see Kâlanûñ'yi. Red Clay--see Elawâ'diyi. Reid, Jesse--see Tse'si-Ska'tsi. Ridge, Major John--see Nûñnâ'hi-dihi. Ross, John--see Gu'wisguwi'. Ross' landing--see Tsatanu'gi. Sadayi'--a feminine name, the proper name of the woman known to the whites as Annie Ax; it cannot be translated. Sâgwâ'hi, or Sâgwûñ'yi--"One place," from sâ'gwû, one, and hi or yi, locative. Soco creek of Oconaluftee river, on the East Cherokee reservation, in Jackson county, North Carolina. No satisfactory reason is given for the name, which has its parallel in Tsâskâ'hi, "Thirty place," a local name in Cherokee county, in the same state. sâ'gwali', horse; from asâgwâlihû, a pack or burden, asâgwullû'; "there is a pack on him." sâ'gwali digû'lanahi'ta--mule; literally "long eared horse," from sâ'gwali, horse, and digû'lanahi'ta, q. v. Sâkwi'yi (or Suki'yi; abbreviated Sâkwi' or Suki')--a former settlement on Soquee river, a head-stream of Chattahoochee, near Clarkesville, Habersham county, Georgia. Also written Saukee and Sookee. The name has lost its meaning. salâ'li--squirrel; the common gray squirrel; other varieties are kiyu`ga, the ground squirrel, and tewa, the flying squirrel. Salâ'li was also the name of an East Cherokee inventor who died a few years ago; Salâ'lani'ta, "Young-squirrels," is a masculine personal name on the reservation. saligu'gi--turtle, the common water turtle; soft-shell turtle, u`lana'wa; land tortoise or terrapin, tûksi'. salikwâ'yi--bear-grass (Eryngium); also the greensnake, on account of a fancied resemblance; the name of a former Cherokee settlement on Sallacoa creek of Coosawatee river, in Gordon county, Georgia. Sa'nigilâ'gi (abbreviated San`gilâ'gi)--Whiteside mountain, a prominent peak of the Blue ridge, southeast from Franklin, Macon county, North Carolina. It is connected with the tradition of U`tlûñ'ta (see number 66 and notes). Santeetla--the present map name of a creek joining Cheowa river in Graham county, North Carolina, and of a smaller tributary (Little Santeetla). The name is not recognized or understood by the Cherokee, who insist that it was given by the whites. Little Santeetla is known to the Cherokee as Tsunda`nilti'yi, q. v.; the main Santeetla creek is commonly known as Nâgu'hi geyûñ'i, "Sand-place stream," from Nûyu'hii, "Sand place" (nâyu, sand), a former settlement just above the junction of the two creeks. Sara--see Ani'-Suwa'li. sa'sa'--goose; an onomatope. Sautee--see Itsâ'ti. Savannah--the popular name of this river is derived from that of the Shawano Indians, formerly living upon its middle course, and known to the Cherokee as Ani'-Sawanu'gi, q. v., to the Creeks as Savanuka, and to some of the coast tribes of Carolina as Savanna. In old documents the river is also called Isundiga, from I`sû'nigû or Seneca, q. v., an important former Cherokee settlement upon its upper waters. See number 99. Sawanu'gi--"Shawano" (Indian); a masculine personal name upon the East Cherokee reservation and prominent in the history of the band. See Ani'-Sawanu'gi and Kâ'lahû'. Sawnook--see Kâ'lahû'. Sehwate'yi--"Hornet place," from se'hwatû, hornet, and yi, locative. Cheowa Maximum and Swim bald, adjoining bald peaks at the head of Cheowa river, Graham county, North Carolina. See number 122. selu--corn; sometimes called in the sacred formulas Agawe'la, "The Old Woman." See number 126. sel-utsi' (for selu-utsi')--"corn's mother," from selu, corn and utsi', his mother (etsi' or agitsi', my mother); the bead-corn or Job's-tears (Coix lacryma). See number 126. Seneca--see Ani'-Nûn'dawe'gi (Seneca tribe), and I`sû'nigû, (Seneca town). Sequatchee--see Si'gwetsi'. Sequoya--see Sikwâyi. Se`tsi--a mound and traditional Cherokee settlement on the south side of Valley river, about three miles below Valleytown, in Cherokee county, North Carolina; the name has lost its meaning. See number 79. A settlement called Tase`tsi (Tassetchie in some old documents) existed on the extreme head of Hiwassee river, in Towns county, Georgia. Sevier--see Tsan'-usdi'. Shoe-boots--see Da'si`giya'gi. Shooting creek--see Du'staya`lûñy'yi. Si'gwetsi'--a traditional Cherokee settlement on the south bank of the French Broad river, not far from Knoxville, Knox county, Tennessee. Near by was the quarry from which it is said the stone for the white peace pipes was obtained. See number 111 and notes. Sequatchee, the name of the river below Chattanooga, in Tennessee, is probably a corruption of the same word. si'kwa--hog; originally the name of the opossum, now distinguished as si'kwa utset'sti, q. v. si'kwa utset'sti--opossum: literally "grinning hog," from si'kwa, hog, and utset'sti, "he grins (habitually)." Cf. sikwa. Sikwâ'yi--a masculine name, commonly written Sequoya, made famous as that of the inventor of the Cherokee alphabet. See page 108. The name, which can not be translated, is still in use upon the East Cherokee reservation. Sikwi'a--a masculine name, the Cherokee corruption for Sevier. See also Tsan-usdi'. sinnawah--see tla'nuwa. Si'tikû' (or sû'tagû', in dialectic form)--a former Cherokee settlement on Little Tennessee river at the entrance of Citico creek, in Monroe county, Tennessee. The name, which can not be translated, is commonly spelled Citico, but appears also as Sattiquo, Settico, Settacoo, Sette, Sittiquo, etc. siyu'--see â'siyu'. skintâ'--for skin'tâgû', understood to mean "put a new tooth into my jaw." The word can not be analyzed, but is derived from gantka' (ganta`ga in a dialectic form) a tooth in place; a tooth detached is kayu`ga. See number 15. Skwan'-digû`gûñ'yî (for Askwan'-digû`gûñ'yi)--"Where the Spaniard is in the water [or other liquid]". A place on Upper Soco creek, on the reservation in Jackson county, North Carolina. See number 122. Slick rock--see Nûñyû'-tawi'ska. Smith, N. J.--see Tsaladihi'. Snowbird--see Tuti'yi. Soco creek--see Sâgwâ'hi. Soco gap--see Ahalu'na. Soquee--see Sâkwi'yi. Spray, H. W.--see Wilsini'. Spring-Frog--see Du'stu'. Standing Indian--see Yûñwi-tsulenûñ'yi. Stand Watie--see De'gatâga. Stekoa--see Stikâ'yi. ste'tsi--your daughter; literally, your offspring; agwe'tsi, "my offspring"; uwe'tsi, "his offspring"; to distinguish sex it is necessary to add asga'ya, "man" or age'hya, "woman." Stikâ'yi (variously spelled Stecoe, Steecoy, Stekoah, Stickoey, etc.)--the name of several former Cherokee settlements: 1. On Sticoa creek, near Clayton, Rabun county, Georgia; 2. on Tuckasegee river at the old Thomas homestead just above the present Whittier, in Swain county, North Carolina; 3. on Stekoa creek of Little Tennessee river, a few miles below the junction of Nantahala, in Graham county, North Carolina. The word has lost its meaning. Stringfield--see Tlâge'si. stugi'sti, stui'sti--a key; see page 187 and under Astu'gatâ'ga. Suck, The--see Ûñ'tiguhi'. Sugartown--see Kûlse'tsi'yi. sû'nawa'--see tla'nuwa. sûnestlâ'ta--"split noses"; see tsunû`liyû' sûnestlâ'ta. sûñgi--mink; also onion; the name seems to refer to a smell; the various mints are called generically, gaw`sûñ'gi. See number 29. Suki'yi--another form of Sâkwi'yi, q.v. su'li'--buzzard; the Creek name is the same. Sun land--see Nûñ'da'yi. su'-sa'-sai'--an unmeaning song refrain. See number 66. su'talidihi'--see nûñ'da'. Suwa'li--see Ani'-Suwa'li. Suwa'li-nûñnâ'hi (abbreviated Suwa'li-nûñnâ'hi)--"Suwali trail," the proper name for the gap at the head of Swannanoa (from Suwa'li-Nûñ'nâ) river, east of Asheville, in Buncombe county, North Carolina. Cf. Ku'sa-nûñnâ'hi. See pages 194 and 379, also Ani'-Suwa'li. Suwa`ni--a former Cherokee settlement on Chattahoochee river, about the present Suwanee, in Gwinnett county, Georgia. The name has no meaning in the Cherokee language and is said to be of Creek origin. See page 382. Suye'ta--"The Chosen One," from asuye'ta, "he is chosen," gasu'yeû, "I am choosing"; the same form, suye'ta, could also mean mixed, from gasu'yahû, "I am mixing it." A masculine name, at present borne by a prominent ex-chief and informant upon the East Cherokee reservation. Swannanoa--see Suwa'li-nûñnâ'hi. Swim bald--see Sehwate'yi. Swimmer--see A`yûñ'ini. tadeyâ'statakûhi'--"we shall see each other." See number 75. Tae-keo-ge--see Ta`ski'gi. ta'gû--the June-bug (Allorhina nitida), also called tu'ya-diskalaw'sti'ski, "one who keeps fire under the beans." See number 59. Ta'gwa--see Ani'ta'gwa. Ta'gwadihi' (abbreviated Ta'gwadi')--"Catawba-killer," from Ata'gwa or Ta'gwa, Catawba Indian, and dihihi, "he kills them" (habitually) from tsi'ihû', "I kill." An old masculine personal name, still in use upon the East Cherokee reservation. It was the proper name of the chief known to the whites about 1790 as "The Glass," from a confusion of this name with adake'`ti, glass, or mirror. Tagwâ'hi--"Catawba place," from Ata'gwa or Ta'gwa, Catawba Indian, and hi, locative. A name occurring in several places in the old Cherokee country. A settlement of this name, known to the whites as Toccoa, was upon Toccoa creek, east of Clarkesville, in Habersham county, Georgia; another was upon Toccoa or Ocoee river, about the present Toccoa, in Fannin county, Georgia; a third may have been on Persimmon creek, which is known to the Cherokee as Tagwâ'hi, and enters Hiwassee river some distance below Murphy, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. Tahkeyostee--see Unta'kiyasti'yi. Tahlequah--see Talikwa'. Tahchee--see Tatsi'. Takatoka--see De'gatâ'ga. ta'ladu' (abbreviated taldu')--twelve, from ta'li, two. Cf. tala'tu, cricket. Ta`lasi'--a former Cherokee settlement on Little Tennessee river, about Talassee ford, in Blount county, Tennessee. The name has lost its meaning. Talassee--see Ta`lasi'. tala'tu--cricket; sometimes also called dita'staye'ski (q. v.), "the barber." Cf. ta'ladu', twelve. Tâle'danigi'ski (Utâle'danigi'si, in a dialectic form)--variously rendered by the whites "Hemp-carrier," "Nettle-carrier" or "Flax-toter," from tâle'ta or utâle'ta, flax (Linum) or rich weed (Pilea pumila), and danigi'ski, "he carries them (habitually)." A former prominent chief on Valley river, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. See number 95 and notes. Talihina--given as the name of the Cherokee wife of Samuel Houston; the form cannot be identified. See page 223. Talikwa' (commonly written Tellico, Telliquo or, in the Indian Territory, Tahlequah)--the name of several Cherokee settlements at different periods, viz: 1. Great Tellico, at Tellico Plains, on Tellico river, in Monroe county, Tennessee; 2. Little Tellico, on Tellico creek of Little Tennessee river, about ten miles below Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina; 3. a town on Valley river, about five miles above Murphy, in Cherokee county, North Carolina;