The Cherokee culture is enchantingly rich in stories and myths that illustrate their understanding of the world and humanity’s place within it. By addressing profound questions such as the creation of the universe, the complexities of human emotions, and the essence of mortality, these narratives affirm the blend of spirituality and rationality that defines Cherokee ethos. This article delves deep into a chronological analysis of the most famous Cherokee myths, exploring their origins, interpretations, and influence on modern Cherokee and global cultures.
The Creation Myth
The Cherokee tale of the world’s creation is both complex and straightforward. According to ancient Cherokee folklore, the world was initially a vast, water-filled expanse. Above the water was Galunlati, a floating sky island on which the Cherokee’s first people and creatures lived[^1^]. In an attempt to discover what lay beneath the water, a water beetle dived below, rising with a clump of mud that eventually expanded to form the earth. A buzzard then shaped the earth’s valleys and mountains as it flew over the still soft and damp land. From the sheer might of the myths, we can deduce the utmost respect these people accorded nature and all living beings.
The First Woman and Man
In the passing days after the creation, the first man and woman were created from the earth. The story describes the first man being stricken by loneliness, a potent illustration of the importance of companionship in human life. Subsequently, with the intervention of The Great Spirit, also known as Unetlani, the first man was granted a companion cast from his left rib, hence the arrival of the first woman. Their progeny went on to form the Cherokee people. The narrative is similar to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, establishing the universality of creation stories among diverse cultures.
The Daughter of the Sun
In Cherokee mythology, vengeance and punishment are important themes. A perfect illustration is the myth of the Daughter of the Sun. The Sun, a powerful female deity in Cherokee cosmology, revenges on humans for slaying her daughter by withholding light and warmth from the world[^2^]. This myth presents the moral question on the nature of revenge and its ultimate outcomes, in this case, enlightenment and disaster.
The Legend of the Cedar Tree
One myth that significantly demonstrates the Cherokee’s reverence for nature is the Legend of the Cedar Tree. The Cedar tree was deemed as the most sacred of all trees due to the belief that it was inhabited by good spirits that bestowed protection from malign influences. The remarkable qualities assigned to the Cedar tree symbolized the Cherokee’s keen understanding of ecology and their advocacy for sustainability and harmony with nature.
How Strawberries Came to Be
A compelling narrative of estrangement and reconciliation told through the story of the first man and woman, “How Strawberries Came to Be,” reflects on the vital role love and forgiveness, play in relationships. When the earth produces strawberries to make the angry woman reconsider her decision to leave her husband, we see the importance of harmony and unity in society and how nature often operates as a conduit for deliverance.
The Two Wolves
Last but not least, “The Story of Two Wolves,” a popular Cherokee myth, speaks about the internal conflict within every human being. The story is a conversation between a grandfather and his grandson, where the former describes a fight between two wolves within each person- one evil, filled with anger, envy, sorrow, regret, and ego, and the other good, filled with joy, peace, love, humility, kindness, and faith. The wolf that wins is the one we feed.
To a significant extent, the Cherokee people’s legends display exemplary wisdom and consciousness. They emphasize critical aspects of life and embody universal teachings applicable to everyone, irrespective of their heritage.
Conclusion
Cherokee myths are more than just fascinating tales. They offer profound life lessons and a better understanding of the Cherokee lifestyle, beliefs, and the human condition. They present a means of ensuring cultural continuity and transmitting age-old wisdom. Be it a story of creation or destruction, love or hate, these myths have been instrumental in shaping principles, laws, and societies of the Cherokee and continue to do so. Just a peek into Cherokee mythology gives us a greater understanding of the philosophical, moral, and spiritual depth of the Cherokee way of life.
References
[^1^]: Cherokee Indians and Their Legends and Folklore
[^2^]: Myths of the Cherokee, James Mooney, 1900