Cherokee Mythology

When Europeans first arrived in North America, the Cherokee occupied a large expanse of territory in the Southeast. Their homeland included mountains and valleys in the southern part of the Appalachian chain.

The Cherokee Native name is Ani-Yun’wiya, meaning “principal people.” The name Cherokee, pronounced CHAIR-uh-kee, probably is derived from the Choctaw name for them, Tsalagi, meaning “people of the land of caves.” The LENNI LENAPE (DELAWARE) version of the same name is Tallageni. Some linguists theorize, however, that Cherokee is derived from the Creek name for them, Tisolki, or Tciloki, meaning “people of a different speech.”

Ani Hyuntikwalaski

Ani Hyuntikwalaski

ANI HYUNTIKWALASKI  - This story explains how man acquired fire through the actions of the Thunderers and the little Water ...
Asgaya Gigagei

Asgaya Gigagei

Asgaya Gigagei (red man) In North American Indian mythology (Cherokee), bisexual deity, either the Red Man or the Red Woman ...
Dayunsi

Dayunsi

Dayunsi (beaver’s grandchild) In North American Indian mythology (Cherokee), the little water beetle that helped form the earth. The earth ...
Kananesky Amaiyehi

Kananesky Amaiyehi

Kananesky Amaiyehi In North American Indian mythology (Cherokee), the water spider who brought back fire to the animals. In the ...
Utlunta

Utlunta

Utlunta Variations: Nûñ'yunu'ï ("Stone Dress") In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee, United States, the Cherokee tribe tells of a ...

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