Myths of the Cherokee / Extract from the Nineteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

45634

Title

Myths of the Cherokee / Extract from the Nineteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

James Mooney's seminal ethnographic work preserves the rich oral traditions of the Cherokee people, collected between 1887 and 1890. This volume offers a comprehensive collection of creation myths, animal legends, historical narratives, and spiritual tales, providing an invaluable window into Cherokee cosmology, history, and culture before the devastating impacts of removal and assimilation.

Summary up to 500 words

James Mooney's *Myths of the Cherokee*, extracted from the Nineteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology, stands as a monumental record of Cherokee life, belief, and history. Published in 1902, the work serves as a comprehensive ethnographic study, primarily focusing on the East Cherokee who remained in the Carolina mountains after the tragic removal of 1838–1839. Mooney argues that while the Cherokee in Indian Territory had been decimated by forced deportation, the conservative 'Kituhwa' element in the secluded forests of North Carolina preserved the ancient legends and rituals. The text is structured into distinct sections, beginning with a historical sketch that traces the tribe from the traditionary period through Spanish exploration, the colonial and revolutionary eras, and the devastating wars with settlers and the British. This historical narrative details the decline of the Overhill towns, the resilience of the mountain dwellers, and the eventual reorganization of the nation in the West. The core of the volume consists of extensive mythological cycles. The Cosmogonic myths explain the origin of the world, corn, disease, death, and celestial bodies like the Pleiades and the Milky Way. These stories frequently feature trickster figures and powerful spirits. The Quadruped myths focus on the animal world, detailing how animals acquired their traits, such as the Rabbit's cunning, the Deer's horns, and the Mink's smell, often through contests or interactions with humans. Similarly, Bird myths explain the characteristics of turkeys, eagles, and owls. The collection also includes Wonder stories featuring supernatural beings like the Uktena (a horned serpent), the Ice Man, and various spirit folk. Historical traditions recount specific events such as the Iroquois war, the escape of Seneca boys, and the final Shawano invasions. The book concludes with miscellaneous legends, local stories from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, and plant lore. Throughout, Mooney provides a glossary and notes on parallels with other tribes, making this an essential resource for understanding the indigenous heritage of the American Southeast.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Folklore
• History
• Mythology