[mythfolk] Little People of the Cherokee
T. Peter ParkMon, 31 Jan 2005 11:41:10 -0800
Albert Rosales [EMAIL PROTECTED] has kindly forwarded me the following quite interesting article on "Little People" traditions of southeastern North America's Cherokee, Tsalagi, or Aniyunwiya people. The Little People of the Cherokee The legends and myths of the Cherokee are loaded with references to the "Little People" who live in the woods, waters and caves of the land of the tsalagi. Reports of them having been seen continues to this day. They are all (in varying degree) magical creatures not to be mocked or hunted. If something is found in the woods (a knife, arrowheads, feathers, etc) it is a good idea to say, "Little People, I wish to take this thing. I need it." because it may belong to them. If you don't acknowledge them, they may follow you and do you a mischief like hiding things from you or causing you to turn over glasses of water. Mostly they are friendly and helpful but can get mean if you disrespect them. Since almost everything has its group of Little People, it's best to respect everything. The yunwi tsunsdi' = small people that look just like Cherokees except they are only about three feet tall--they live in the caves and woods--are usually friendly and helpful but can get mean if they are searched for or mocked--they have magic. There are several Clans and they have special interests: The Rock Cave Clan's message is "How one treats others is how he will be treated". They are the revengers, so they are often thought to be mean. Not so, if you are kind and helpful , they are kind and helpful. The Tree Clan is concerned with the animals. They will make things happen to you and take things away from you to remind you that the animals deservee respect. The Laurel Clan tend to the plants. They will help gardens to grow and even plant "warrior plants" around the fields of people who ignore the needs of plants. They encourage us to be happy, share with others and not take our "perceived" needs too seriously. The Dogwood Clan are the dreamers of the "little people". They spend their time dreaming up good things for everyone and everything. If the petals of the dogwood trees fall soon and all at once, they are crying for the people but if they stay on the trees a long time and fall slowly, they are pleased with the people. There was a special group of the yunwi tsunsdi' called "The Little People Who Wore White". They traveled all over the world and brought stories and news to the Cherokee. When Europeans first came to the Cherokee, they found stories of small hairy people who lived in trees (monkeys), horses with necks longer that their bodies (giraffe) and some horses that were striped black and white (zebra). The Cherokee knew the world was round, about the pyramids, other seas, other peoples and often shared ideas with them. All these things were possible because of the "Little People Who Wore White". The nunne hi = "the immortals", "eternal ones", "the people who live everywhere, anywhere and forever". They are invisible but have appeared as warriors to save the Cherokee from defeat in war. They live underground and often appear as birds (mostly owls), animals, fish, trees, reptiles and even insects. So be careful what you mistreat.The atsil-dihye gi = "the fire carrier" (called "will-o-the-wisp by foreign people). Considered dangerous and unfriendly. anisgaya tsunsdi' = "little men" sons of the first man (kanati).---beneficent wondermakers of great power. They are also called "Thunder Boys". Their favorite tree is the honey locust which lightening never strikes.Fairies = just like fairies everywhere but never accept food from them or you will never be able to eat human food again or return to your family. Two well known fairies are "tsagasi" and "tsawasi" who are often named in the old hunting prayers, though mischievous enough themselves, they often aid hunters who acknowledge them. There are several other of these fairies with special names, all good-natured but more or less tricky.The dunwi tsunsdi of the yunwi tsunsdi' = the little people of the Little People. They are fairy like, no taller than the knee of the Little People. They often glow. They are powerful guides of the Little People and the medicine men of the Cherokee.The yunwi amayine hi = (my favorites) "Water dwellers" who live in the water and who, when they are acknowledged, help the fisherman. They also protect the People from illness when we "go to water" (purifying ceremony). So you can see the Cherokee culture had it's fair share of magical beings all concerned with the care and protection of nature and demanding respect for everything, plants, animals, the earth and it's peoples. Last "lesson" and you can rest your eyes. The word "Cherokee" isn't even Cherokee. It's from a Creek Indian word meaning "they speak a different language". We have adopted (and adapted) the word as tsalagi (pronounced jah-lah-ghee) and it is in common, everyday use. In counsel and among ourselves we use our real name "aniyunwiya" loosely translated as "The People", "The Real People" or "The Principal People". aniyunwiya literally translated is "The Human Beings". At one time the term "Native Americans" was politically correct but it was pointed out that anyone born in North or South America was technically a "native American". Now the correct term is "American Indian". It's like the term "Black" which was, at one time, an insult. Then it was decided (by the NAACP) that that was the term they wanted. Same thing with "Indian" which also, at one time, was an insulting term until it was decided (by AIM (American Indian Movement) that that was the term they wanted. I really don't care what the general public considers is "politically correct"; I'm aniyunwiya or tsalagi or Cherokee. : > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
