The newspaper named the mysterious creature the Wampus Cat, and the name stuck. There are just some things that are a little different in the South. Fiddlers, accompanied by banjo and dulcimer, would play humorous and plaintive ballads reminding the settlers of their homelands. Eat black eyed peas or collard greens with hog jaw on New Years Day. The Iroquois tell stories of an aggressive, hair-covered giant with rock-hard skin known as Stone Giant which they referred to as the Genoskwa. For instance, trained nurses taught families about personal hygiene and homemaking skills. The legends said these people could not see well in the sun and so they came out at night, leading to the name of "moon-eyed people". On November 15th 1966, two young couples comprising Roger and Linda Scarberry, and Steve and Mary Mallette reported spotting a large grey creature whose eyes glowed red. In folklore, it was a spiritual green-eyed cat which had occult powers or sometimes was taken as an undefined imaginary animal. Clannish and fiercely independent, these settlers had rebelled against restrictive laws b. . Skip to content. Georgia accelerated the forced removal of the Cherokees by the United States government. The Bell Witch. According to author Julia Montgomery Street, whose tale of this mysterious race is displayed in the Cherokee County Historical Museum, the men possessed all the land from the Little Tennessee River to Kentucky, with a line of fortification from one end of their domain to the other. The men, who lived in rounded log cabins, had large blue eyes and fair white skin and were sun-blind during the day, emerging from their homes only at night to hunt, fish, wage war and build their fortifications. Appalachia saw its share of both, especially in the 20th century. While midwives helped deliver babies in the remote hollows. Hang a horseshoe upside down to keep good luck from running out. READ MORE: The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina. Indeed, millions of years of erosion have whittled down massive peaks some believe were once taller than the Himalayas and Mount Everest! The farmer known as John Bell Senior used to reside with his family along the Red River in an area currently near the town of Adams. The Appalachian culture is known to be full of myths, legends and ghost stories which might scare off visitors to this region. W. midwives helped deliver babies in the remote hollows. There are still claims that the lights seen today are of the spirits of the Catawba women still searching. His words call to mind the misty 'hollers' and breathtaking views . Rue is a small garden plant with blue-grey foliage, and it is a good foil for other colors. Intermarriage between Africans and other ethnic groups further diversified Appalachian folklore and culture. They were so spooked by their experience that they went directly to the police. Furthermore, part of the Underground Railroad ran from Tennessee to points north via Appalachia. A massive fall line separates the Appalachians from the eastern Coastal Plain. The Bell Witch (who is thought to be a woman named Kate Batts) was supposedly cheated in a land purchase by John Bell, the patriarch of the . Visible only right after dark or early dawn, this half-woman, half-cat haunts the Appalachian region and is rooted in Cherokee folklore. This legend centers around the Bell family. But Native American life changed dramatically with the arrival of European settlers. Despite being a story about Cherokee people, the Wampus Cat folktale did not originate with the Cherokee people. Though its hard to say why stories of unexplained phenomena pop up in these mountains, Rivers says that fear can easily get the best of people. The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina have some of the tallest peaks (Mount Mitchell in North Carolina is the highest Appalachian peak at 6,684 feet). But Appalachian ghost stories like The Town Without Death didnt flinch from the inevitability of death. As a result, the shameful. Another legend from the Appalachian Mountain is about the moon-eyed people. After that, the Bell Witch bid farewell and promised to return in 107 years. (Fans of Appalachian folklore and ghost stories should read Foxfires story collection, Many parts of Appalachia today rely on tourism, deep-pocketed retirees, and second homeowners. Hang a mirror by the door to protect against evil. She spent her weekends in high school swimming at the Sinks or camping at Cades Cove. Migrating from the low valleys into the creek branches, sub-valleys, and steep hillsides, families t, disease and malnutrition spreading. didnt flinch from the inevitability of death. Fairies entered the movement's folklore through literature and are popular because they are thought to preserve elements of ancient Pagan belief and. Appalachian Folklore, Wives Tales, and Superstitions. Zahra Abedinezhad. Often taking the form of, (folktales told about a particular person or pla, human character encountering something supernatural. While some Appalachian white farmers were slaveowners, the region as a whole didnt depend on slave labor like the Deep South. Many Appalachians just wanted to stay out of the fight altogether and ended up attacked by both sides. Legends say that fairies went into hiding to avoid the humans who invaded their lands. Heritage, Mythology, Folklore, the Tuatha D Danann, Fairy Faith, Irish or Celtic Paganism. There were hundreds of eyewitnesses, says Jeff Wamsley, owner of Point Pleasants Mothman Museum. Hence, mill towns and railroads sprung up seemingly overnight. While the Silver Bridge that connected Point Pleasant to Gallipolis, Ohio was teeming with rush-hour traffic, the bridge collapsed, killing 46 people. For instance, everyone knew the moon affected planting cycles, the tail of a hound dog attracted lightning, and an ax placed under the bed of a birthing mother would kill the pain. Lets journey into this ancient, rugged land to find out. As a result, many families fell into poverty, with disease and malnutrition spreading. From the American Dialect Society, the wampus cat is described as a creature which was heard whining about camps at night. The bright light made them weak, forcing them to flee into other parts of Appalachia for good. Distrusting of furriners toting little black bags filled with black magic, some mountain families became their own doctors and pharmacists. My aunts are from Gatlinburg. It was nearing dusk when they saw an unidentified object in the woods. If I had to pick one Id say that the most commonly held thought is that the monster is a fun and interesting bit of folklore, says Smith. A folklorist on the Scottish isle of Arran told writer Moyra Doorly that "the fairies left when electricity came." As modern people . Over the following week, there were at least 8 more reported sightings in and around Point Pleasant of a man-like bird with large wings. Leaving behind a culture largely of European descendants and, as latter day research has shown, a growing number of Africans. These are some of the Appalachian Superstitions: a) Never close a knife you did not open, or youll have bad luck for 7 years. W. was originally brought over by enslaved Africans. An hour later, several men armed with shotguns returned to the scene with Lemon. For instance, settlers would share tales of Scottish haints and Irish fairies, then adapt them into Appalachian stories over generations. Many visitors seek an old-timey Appalachian culture long gone, or a sanitized version of a once hard existence. Indeed, some social workers risked their lives braving rough mountain roads, swollen streams, and treacherous bridges to reach these isolated families. Even though you probably picture a fairy as a small, angelic being with wings, in reality, the Fae Folk are comprised of many different . At the same time, many Appalachian natives proud of their heritage especially younger students sought to redefine and preserve Appalachian folklore and tradition. Open the window when someone dies and cover the mirrors so that their soul can leave. [The statue depicts] twins, but theyre short like the Moon-Eyed People with little round flat faces. Some believe that the statue represents the two rivers and others believe it is a man and a woman. Appalachian Folk Magic. It made national headlines, says Smith. She hid under the pelt of a large cat and got turned into the half-woman, half-beast we hear about in this famous Appalachian myth. Starvation, poverty and malnutrition were common. It was leaning forward making a hump where its neck and back join, says Smith. Having to decide whether its real or fake takes all the fun out of it.. To punish him, the witch set her sights on the man, giving him a beating that had Jacksons men begging to leave. If you hear things that go bump in the night and you swear you dont have a pipe rattling or anything like that, you think its a spirit, he says. Little sanitation, children without shoes or fresh clothes, and large families crammed into dirty, one-room shacks were common sights. He turned to look. 'Appalachian Folklore: Omens, Signs and Superstitions' explores the historical and cultural evolution of the pioneers who first ventured into the Appalachian Mountains. Good Faeries Difficult 8. October 15, 2019 Appalachian scary tales / Folklore / Halloween. A book by Richard Chase, published in 1943, is a collection of at least some of the Jack tales. The hauntings began sometime between 1817 and 1821, when the Bell Witch would show up disguised as an animal, such as a dog or bird. "Appalachian folklore" usually conjures images of mountain cabins, sounds of plucky melodies, and the misty taste of moonshine among a slew of other popular representations of the region. The Appalachian Mountains hide not only mysterious creatures, phantoms, and underground bases, but also anthropological mysteries as well. And the Mothman sightings continued. Common hillbilly stereotypes depict Appalachian culture as poor and white. But the harassment wouldnt stop, and John Bell finally confided to one of his neighbors about the strange incidents in his home. In fact, West Virginia was founded by Virginia mountaineers who didnt agree with Southern secession. Like an o, farmer still plowing his steep fields with a team of horses, or story swapping in mercantile stores. Other stories involve wild animals. When I move, it moves. Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long-Legged Beasties Difficult 10. The Appalachian mountains make for the perfect scene when it comes to any spooky situations. Recorded accounts of Brown Mountain Light sightings happened throughout the 20th century, especially as the Linville area gained access to electricity. Migrating from the low valleys into the creek branches, sub-valleys, and steep hillsides, families toiled on rocky terrain not ideal for farming. 15 reviews. Maybe youve even sped up on a mountain road at night, thinking you see glowing red eyes in the woods? While reported sightings of the colorful lights are known for their inconsistency, the lights are typically seen at night, especially after a rainfall. settlers were already a superstitious group. A combination of folk magic, faith healing, and superstitions, granny magic was often the only source of aid for people in remote, isolated regions. In conclusion, Appalachian ghost stories are still told, if only in storytelling festivals, movies or books. New words were created to fit the rugged life these settlers faced. Jack Tales are fairy tales (known as Mrchen in Europe) that were traditionally passed down through generations using the oral tradition. Appalachian legends, lore, and superstitions are perhaps the region's most notable cultural gifts to Americana. Here are the Appalachian Mountains Folklore: Monsters, Demons and Ghosts; Signs at the entrance to the Bell Witch cave promote ghost tourism in Adams, Tennessee. The Tennessee Wildman and Sasquatch fight one another for territory. The lights, claim the legend, are the ghosts of grieving women still searching the mountainside for the bodies of fallen warriors. It has somewhat light grey or ginger hair and small red eyes and emits a rank odor similar to the Skunk Monkey. Appalachia today is often thought of as three regions: Northern, Central, and Southern (see map above). Appalachian culture is full of its own myths, legends, and ghost stories, many of which were made famous by TV shows such as The X-Files and Mountain Monsters. Its no wonder then that many Appalachian ghost stories about mining accidents or mysterious dogs saving miners appeared around this time. As the legend goes, the Moon-Eyed People eventually abandoned their homeor were driven from itand traveled west, never to be seen again. This narrow and extensive mountain system parallels the eastern coast of North America for nearly 2,000 miles. Broadly speaking, Southern Appalachia supported the Confederacy, Northern Appalachia the Union, and Central Appalachia was stuck somewhere in between. If youre lucky enough to hear an Appalachian storyteller tell a ghost story in traditional Appalachian dialect, it may take you by surprise. The festival features guest speakers, live bands, vendors, cosplay, and even a 5K run. Appalachia is an ancient land one of the oldest mountain systems on Earth. He was out of breath and anxious, remembers Smith. Of course, ysical and cultural isolation kept many of these Appalachian folklore traditions alive well into the 20th century. On their way to see the light, the boys stopped to tell their mother, Kathleen May, who asked National Guardsman Eugene Lemon to join them. It might seem obvious to readers, but the Moon-Eyed People were most likely just European settlers. Today, exhibits on the Moon-Eyed People can be found at the Cherokee County Historical Museum in Murphy. Their eyes were supposedly so sensitive to the sun that they remained nocturnal, which is why theyre called moon-eyed.. Fairy Tales of Appalachia. Some of these superstitions are mesmerising while others do not have any sense. Well even if Appalachia is America's mythical Illyria, where rugged mountain men and folk heroes like Daniel Boone roam about checking on their moonshine, some think Shakespeare might feel right at home. In the Appalachian Jack tales, where the English original would feature a king or other noble, the Appalachian Jack tale version would have a sheriff. It eventually developed a whispering voice and within a year it could speak. These supernatural creatures or spirits are popular across a wide variety of myths, legends . ; In "The Maiden Without Hands", a miller makes a deal with the devil for "what is standing behind thy mill".He thought it was an apple tree; it was his daughter. Is it a bear? Many lives were lost. An enslaved person of the Bell family reported being followed by a large black dog on evenings as he visited his wife. Central Appalachia, located f. from urban centers and transportation networks, became an especially isolated world. (ghosts or evil spirits) have been told for generations in Appalachian communities. He laughs and tells me it's okay. Seven years later Kate did return, visiting John Bell Jr. who was not living at the Bell farm at the time. These women served as the community's doctor and midwife. in Tennessee and North Carolina have some of the tallest peaks (Mount Mitchell in North Carolina is the highest Appalachian peak at 6,684 feet). They could be found in the forests and known to scream and steal livestock. Whether our collective imaginations are running wild or were really sensing something otherworldly, stories of ghosts, UFOs, terrifying man-sized animals, and other hair-raising tales abound in these Blue Ridge Mountains. Some of these are just that "tales". If you give them to newlyweds, it will cut their love. Many Appalachian communities were stuck between equally violent, plundering forces. For instance, settlers would share tales of Scottish haints and Irish fairies, then adapt them into Appalachian stories over generations. Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. After John Bells mysterious death in 1820, the Bell Witch continued to haunt his family. Appalachian Granny Witch Remedies (of course, folks, use your common sense, and see a doctor when needed!) In this once-isolated region, new highways along with radio, television, and the internet, diluted traditional speech and customs. And the lessons these legends taught were comforting to early settlers, combating fear and uncertainty in the strange land they suddenly found themselves in. Many parts of Appalachia today rely on tourism, deep-pocketed retirees, and second homeowners. The Appalachian Mountains are some of the oldest mountains on Earth - and if these mountains and valleys could talk, one can only imagine what stories they could tell! Stories of Bigfoot also abound in Native American oral tradition, and the unexplained ape has been studied by scientists and scrutinized on the Internet. Amy is excited to share her passion for the outdoors through her writing! Therefore, if you find yourself in such places, listen closely for unique words and sayings like: Traveling the Strange South Through Storytelling, But Appalachian ghost stories serve as vessels of mountain folklore, culture, and values stretching back generations. For example, the popular Appalachian ghost story. During one of these phases, the Creek people annihilated the race. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial & privacy policies. To experience these Appalachian legends for yourself, visit the Historic Bell Witch Cave, which located in Adams TN. Today you can celebrate this mythical Appalachian monster at the Bigfoot Festival in Marion NC. Throughout the southern Appalachian mountains, from Georgia to North Carolina, strange stone structures have been unearthed and discovered. These stories varied in their details both regionally and between families living in the same community. Occasionally, the musicians played, . Traditional folklore themes from around the world. In A Witch's Guide to Faery Folk, Edain McCoy refers to this kind as green elves. black bags filled with black magic, some mountain families became their own doctors and pharmacists. Other than the folklore of the Appalachian Mountain, there are more shocking superstitions that have been passed down by several generations. Or you happen to catch something out of the corner of your eye and you swear its a ghost. most prominent group of Native peoples was the Cherokee Nation, narrative folksongs of local legends, fairy tales, and ghost stories, Boogers, Witches and Haints: Appalachian Ghost Stories, Louisiana Cajun Folklore Superstitions and Spells, child small enough to be carried in someones arms. After attending college at ETSU and UTC, Amy moved to Nashville, where she lived and travelled in a Dodge Sprinter van for a year, before moving back to Chattanooga. It is a flesh-eating beast that is considered most active during the . The Appalachian Folklife Archive at Radford University is a collection of around 650 field collection projects compiled and submitted by undergraduate folklore students from 1981 through November 2020 and by graduate folklore and folk culture students between 1987 and 2009. Appalachia (/ p l t ,-l e t ,-l e /) is a cultural region in the Eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York State to northern Alabama and Georgia. Today, heavily forested mountains, valleys, high ridges, and wide, dissected plateaus make up the system. Charlie Poole (1892-1931) was a pioneering performer from Appalachia who played the . Kate re-avowed her scorn and disapproval about Betsy Bells upcoming marriage, says Fitzhugh. Sightings continued, and in 1922 the U.S. Geological Society investigated, determining that the Brown Mountain Lights were really just the headlights of cars or passing trains. The Granny Women used a combination of herbs, faith and magic. The Virginia and Tennessee valleys were major battle sites. Broadly speaking, Southern Appalachia supported the Confederacy, Northern Appalachia the Union, and Central Appalachia was stuck somewhere in between. 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