“Only the best of warriors have the courage to descend into the underworld. He will find it filled with ghosts and demons and all manner of scary beings, which will test him to the core.” This is what Tom Belt, a Cherokee elder used to tell when asked about the Cherokee mythology. Embedded in the heart of the Native American history, the Cherokee mythology is undoubtedly a spectacular cosmos enveloping a broad array of tales, stories, spiritual beliefs and symbolism. Invoke your inner ‘story seeker’ and gear up, as today, we embark on an exciting voyage into this mythological universe intertwined with magnanimous heroic archetypes, powerful animal spirits, and an intriguing value system reflecting in the rich cultural heritage of one of the largest indigenous tribes in the United States, the Cherokee Nation.
The Origin of the Cherokees: The Cherokee Cosmology
The inception of the Cherokee civilization is rooted deeply in a mythological tale strikingly parallel to many other origin stories across diverse cultures. According to the Cherokee lore, the universe initially existed as a large dark emptiness rife with the spirits of all living beings that would later inhabit the earth, sea, and sky[^1^]. The Sun, an integral deity in spirituality, honored an ardent request from these spirits and gave them physical forms. On a gigantic floating island suspended by strong cords on four sides from the sky, earth took its initial form. A beetle, finding the air within its orb too strong, dived into the abyss below, emerging with a mud lump that eventually formed the earth.
Water beetles, dragons, and hawks play crucial roles in many other Cherokee myths further illuminating their strong inclination towards nurturing biodiversity and emphasizing a harmonic co-existence with nature[^2^].
The Pantheon of Cherokee Mythology
Replete with commanding figures embodying power and wisdom, there is a pantheon of characters in Cherokee Mythology.
Uktena: One of the most terrifying figures in Cherokee mythology, Uktena was a giant horned serpent, believed to be as thick as a tree trunk, featuring a diamond crystal on its forehead. This crystal, also known as Ulunsuti, had the power to grant the beholder the prowess to hunt, heal and even predict the future[^3^].
Selu and Kanati: Often referred to as “First Woman” and “First Man” respectively, Selu and Kanati are the Cherokee equivalents of Adam and Eve, personifying primordial beings crucial to humanity’s origin.
The Little People: Also known as Nunnehi, these are great spirits who often watch over children, fishermen, and hunters. The myth of Little People advocates benevolence and kindness towards all creatures, irrespective of size or stature[^4^].
Cherokee Myths as Moral Carroll
Cherokee mythology is not only about mythical beings and extraordinary tales; it has a profusion of stories teaching morals and valuable life lessons. One such story is the well-known legend of the strifes between two wolves within everyone. According to legend, one wolf embodies attributes such as pride, jealousy, and anger, whereas the other represents love, kindness, and truth. The wolf we feed is the one that wins, emphasizing the choice of humanity to embrace positivity over negativity[^5^].
The Spiritual Bridge: Ancestors and the Mythology
The Cherokee people have a strong belief in the spirit world. It is believed that the departed ancestors remain close and guide them in their everyday lives. The spirit world is a mirror image of the physical world where the spirit beings continue to live out their lives in a manner identical to their earthly existence.
Conclusion
Cherokee mythology offers more than mere stories; they are an entirety of the tribe’s soul and a reflection of their rich and abundant culture. These stories have been passed down through generations, often orally, and hold in them the wisdom and experiences of all those years. The ideals, values, and beliefs entrenched within these myths permeate everyday Cherokee life, from their rituals to their arts, and even their socio-political systems, inducing a resonance between the past and the present.
Outstandingly captivating, deeply impactful, and intricately built, the Cherokee Mythology is truly a treasure chest that beholds the heritage and ancestry of the Cherokee tribe, reminding us to seek inspiration from the wisdom of the past to craft the future.
References
[^1^]: Mooney, James (1900). “Myths of the Cherokee”. Nineteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology 1897-98, part I. Washington: Government Printing Office. Link
[^2^]: Underwood, Thomas Bryan (1993). “Cherokee Legends and the Trail of Tears”. The University of Tennessee Press. Link
[^3^]: Duncan, Barbara R. and Riggs, Brett H. (2003). “Cherokee Heritage Trails Guidebook”. The University of North Carolina Press. Link
[^4^]: Conley, Robert J. (2007). “The Cherokee Nation: A History”. University of New Mexico Press.
[^5^]: Conley, Robert J. (1998). “Cherokee Thoughts: Honest and Uncensored”. University of Oklahoma Press.