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

The Story

The narrative unfolds across centuries, tracing the Cherokee from their earliest traditional period through the upheavals of European contact, colonial pressures, and forced removal. The book begins with the traditionary period, where the Cherokee's own cosmogonic myths explain the creation of the world, the origin of fire, corn, disease, death, and the natural world. These foundational stories establish a worldview deeply connected to nature and the spiritual realm.

With the arrival of Spanish explorers around 1540, the Cherokee enter recorded history. The text recounts Hernando de Soto’s expedition, highlighting the encounters between the Cherokee and Europeans, marked by misunderstandings and violence. The explorers’ accounts vary widely, but they collectively depict a complex society with established towns and customs. The Cherokee's resistance to European intrusion is a recurring theme.

The colonial and revolutionary periods bring increasing pressure on Cherokee lands. Treaties, often forced and made under duress, gradually strip the Cherokee of their territory. Settlers encroach beyond agreed boundaries, and the Cherokee respond with resistance and negotiation. The Revolutionary War finds the Cherokee largely allied with the British, hoping to protect their lands from American settlers. Yet, the war’s outcome accelerates their dispossession.

Following the Revolution, relations with the United States grow more fraught. The Cherokee engage in treaties from 1785 onward, each ceding more land. Despite solemn assurances, settlers continue to invade Cherokee territory, and the tribe faces relentless pressure. The narrative details the divisions within the Cherokee Nation, including the Arkansas and Texas bands, and the eventual forced removal known as the Trail of Tears (1838-1839). This tragic episode uproots thousands, causing immense suffering and death.

Not all Cherokee were removed; some bands, especially the Eastern Cherokee, evade capture by retreating into the mountains. Their story is one of survival and resilience, maintaining traditions despite displacement. The book also covers the establishment of missions and schools by Moravian missionaries, reflecting the Cherokee’s complex engagement with Christianity and education.

The latter sections delve deeply into Cherokee myths themselves, categorized by themes: cosmogonic myths, animal stories, and ritual lore. These myths are not mere stories but are intertwined with ceremonies, social customs, and the Cherokee understanding of the universe. For example, the myth of Kana'ti and Selu explains the origin of corn and game, while other tales describe the origins of stars, animals, and natural phenomena.

The book also records historical anecdotes and legends about key figures and events, such as the Massacre of Fort Mims and the political struggles surrounding removal. It preserves songs, dances, and ritual practices, such as the Eagle dance, which hold spiritual significance and social cohesion.

Throughout, the narrative balances historical documentation with the rich oral tradition of the Cherokee, presenting a people whose identity is inseparable from their myths and history. The story ends with reflections on the Cherokee’s enduring spirit, their adaptations, and the preservation of their culture despite centuries of upheaval.

The People

• John Ross: Principal chief during the Removal era, Ross embodies steadfast resistance to forced displacement. He leads delegations to Congress, pleading for justice and the right to remain on ancestral lands. Despite political pressures and internal divisions, he remains committed to Cherokee sovereignty, though ultimately unable to prevent the Trail of Tears.

• Kana'ti and Selu: Mythic progenitors representing the origin of essential sustenance—game and corn. Kana'ti, the hunter, and Selu, the corn mother, symbolize the balance between nature’s gifts and human survival. Their story reflects themes of family, provision, and the sacredness of life.

• U'tsala ("Lichen"): A mountain Cherokee leader who commands the Eastern Band fugitives during the Removal. His leadership in hiding and defiance against capture illustrates the determination of those who resisted removal by retreating into the Appalachian wilderness.

• William H. Thomas: A trader trusted by the mountain Cherokee, Thomas acts as an intermediary during the Removal pursuit. His role in negotiating with U'tsala highlights the complex relationships between Cherokee and non-Native allies.

• John Walker, Jr.: A mixed-blood advocate for Cherokee emigration who becomes a controversial figure. His assassination during a tumultuous council reflects the internal conflicts and political violence sparked by the removal debate.

• The Raven Mocker: A supernatural figure from Cherokee belief, representing death and evil spirits. This mythic character embodies fears and cultural understandings of illness and mortality, illustrating the spiritual dimension of Cherokee life.

In Its Own Voice

The myths and historical accounts speak directly through vivid, unembellished lines that capture the Cherokee worldview and experience:

"Our father is there," said the Wild Boy, "let us go and find him."

This line from the myth of Kana'ti and Selu marks the beginning of a journey toward discovery and the origins of life’s essentials.

"A snowbird has died,"

The understated announcement made by a hunter upon returning from an Eagle dance, reflecting the sacred respect and ritual surrounding the death of an eagle.

"They kept up the fight without result until another bird, little Tsi'kilili', the chickadee, flew down from a tree and alighted upon the witch's right hand."

This passage from a myth reveals the symbolic role of animals as truth-tellers and guides within Cherokee stories.

What It's Really About

At its core, this work explores the resilience of Cherokee identity through the intertwined lenses of myth and history. The myths are not isolated tales but are integral to understanding the Cherokee’s relationship with the natural world, the cosmos, and their own social order. They encode knowledge about origins, morality, and the sacred, serving as a living tradition that sustains cultural continuity.

The historical narrative reveals the relentless external pressures faced by the Cherokee—colonial expansion, broken treaties, and forced removal. These events are not just political or military episodes but are deeply connected to the loss of land, autonomy, and cultural space. The book shows how the Cherokee negotiated, resisted, and adapted, often under impossible circumstances.

The tension between tradition and change runs throughout. The introduction of Christianity and Western education, the internal divisions over removal, and the survival of the Eastern Band all illustrate the complex dynamics of cultural transformation. The Cherokee are portrayed as active agents, not passive victims, navigating a world that demands both preservation and adaptation.

Moreover, the work raises questions about memory and narrative authority. It preserves voices from within the Cherokee community, including songs, rituals, and oral histories, emphasizing the importance of indigenous perspectives in recounting their own story. The myths and histories together challenge simplistic or romanticized views of Native American life, revealing a nuanced, living culture.

Why Read It Today

This book offers a profound window into Cherokee culture, history, and spirituality that remains relevant for anyone interested in indigenous perspectives and the consequences of colonialism. Readers who appreciate detailed ethnographic work will find a rich tapestry of stories, rituals, and historical accounts that bring the Cherokee world to life with clarity and respect.

The text’s length and density, along with its period language and occasional dated attitudes, may challenge modern readers. However, its warmth and precision in presenting Cherokee voices and experiences reward patient engagement. The myths themselves are compelling narratives that resonate beyond their cultural origins, offering universal themes of creation, survival, and the human connection to nature.

For those drawn to history, anthropology, or folklore, this work is a foundational resource that preserves a vital heritage. It invites reflection on the costs of displacement and the power of storytelling as a means of cultural survival. The enduring presence of the Cherokee people and their traditions, despite centuries of upheaval, is a testament to resilience that lingers long after the last page is turned.