Seven Cherokee Myths: Creation, Fire, the Primordial Parents, the Nature of Evil, the Family, Universal Suffering, and Communal Obligation

by G. Keith Parker

Overview

Like ancient peoples the world over, the Cherokees of the southern Appalachian Mountains passed along their traditions and beliefs through stories, songs, dances, and religious and healing rituals. With the creation of Cherokee writing by Sequoyah, some of the traditions were also recorded in books. While evoking local geography and natural phenomena, the stories were also enhanced by powerful psychological and spiritual dynamics.

This work examines seven myths that grew out of Cherokee culture, looking at how they emerged to explain archetypal issues. Each of the seven stories is told in full and is followed by a detailed history and analysis that provides its background, its associated rituals, and its psychological basis. One quickly discovers that while the myths are ancient, they are strikingly modern in their understanding of human personality development, family dynamics, community solidarity, and the reality of religion or spirituality. Grounded in the experience of this American Indian people and the land they inhabited, the myths tell universal truths.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786423644
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	12/26/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.43(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jungian Analyst and Pastoral Counselor G. Keith Parker lives in Brevard, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Foreword by Paul Brutsche      
Foreword by Joyce Conseen Dugan      
Preface     
Introduction     
Maps: Cherokee Country; Cherokee Myth Locations     

1. The Cherokee Creation Story     
2. The First Fire     
3. Kana’ti and Selu: The Origin of Game and Corn     
4. U’tlun’ta, the Spear-finger, and Nun’yunu’wi, the Stone Man     
5. Tsul’Kalu’, or Judaculla, the Slant-Eyed Giant     
6. Kana’sta, or Connestee, the Lost Settlement     
7. Tsuwe’nahi: A Legend of Pilot Knob     

Conclusion     
Appendix A: Summary Notes on Dr. C.G. Jung and Analytical Psychology     
Appendix B: Wahnenauhi Version of Kana’ti and Selu     
Appendix C: The Hunter and Selu     
Appendix D: Judaculla’s Judgment Seat Citation Giving the Popular Name of “Devil’s Courthouse”     
Appendix E. “A Small Postscript of the ways and maners of the Indians called Charikees” by Alexander Long     
Chapter Notes     
Selected Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

what a remarkable and innovative book this is!”—Appalachian Heritage.

From the Publisher

what a remarkable and innovative book this is!

Appalachian Heritage