Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney
381. The name is not connected with gi`li, dog.
6157 words | Chapter 276
Ani'-Gusa--see Ani'-Ku'sa.
a'nigwa--soon after; dine'tlana a'nigwa, "soon after the creation."
Ani'-Hyûñ'tikwalâ'ski--"The Thunderers," i. e., thunder, which
in Cherokee belief, is controlled and caused by a family of
supernaturals. The word has reference to making a rolling sound;
cf. tikwale'lu, a wheel, hence a wagon; ama'-tikwalelûñyi, "rolling
water place," applied to a cascade where the water falls along
the surface of the rock; ahyûñ'tikwalâ'stihû', "it is thundering,"
applied to the roar of a railroad train or waterfall.
Ani'-Kawi'--"Deer people," one of the seven Cherokee clans; the
regular form for deer is a`wi'.
Ani'-Kawi'ta--The Lower Creeks, from Kawi'ta or Coweta, their former
principal town on Chattahoochee river near the present Columbus,
Georgia; the Upper Creeks on the head streams of Alabama river were
distinguished as Ani'-Ku'sa (q. v.) A small creek of Little Tennessee
river above Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina, is now known
as Coweeta creek.
Ani'-Kitu'hwagi--"Kitu'hwa people," from Kitu'hwa (q. v.), an ancient
Cherokee settlement; for explanation see page 182.
Ani'-Ku'sa or Ani'-Gu'sa,--The Creek Indians, particularly the Upper
Creeks on the waters of Alabama river; singular, A-Ku'sa, from Kusa
or Coosa (Spanish, Coça, Cossa) their principal ancient town.
Ani'-Kuta'ni (also Ani'-Kwata'-ni, or, incorrectly, Nicotani)--a
traditional Cherokee priestly society or clan, exterminated in a
popular uprising. See number 108.
aninâ'hilidâhi--"creatures that fly about," from tsinai'li, "I am
flying," tsinâ'iladâ'hû, "I am flying about." The generic term for
birds and flying insects.
Ani'-Na`tsi--abbreviated Anintsi, singular A-Na`tsi. The Natchez
Indians; from coincidence with na`tsi, pine, the name has been
incorrectly rendered "Pine Indians," whereas it is really a Cherokee
plural of the proper name of the Natchez.
Anin'tsi--see Ani'-Na`tsi.
Ani'-Nûn'dawe'gi--singular, Nûn'dawe'gi; the Iroquois, more
particularly the Seneca, from Nûndawao, the name by which the Seneca
call themselves. Adair spells it Anantooeah. The tribe was also known
as Ani'-Se'nika.
Ani'-Sahâ'ni--one of the seven Cherokee clans; possibly an archaic
form for "Blue people," from sa`ka'ni, sa`ka'nige'i, blue.
Ani'-Sa'ni, Ani'-Sawahâ'ni--see Ani'-Sawanu'gi.
Ani'-Sawanu'gi (singular Sawanu'gi)--the Shawano Indians. Ani'-Sa'ni
and Ani'-Sawahâ'ni (see page 380) may be the same.
Ani'-Se'nika.--see Ani'-Nûndawe'gi.
anisga'ya--plural of asga'ya, man.
Anisga'ya Tsunsdi'(-ga)--"The Little Men"; the Thunder Boys in Cherokee
mythology. See numbers 3 and 8.
Ani'sgaya'yi--"Men town" (?), a traditional Cherokee settlement on
Valley river, in Cherokee county, North Carolina.
anisgi'na--plural of asgi'na, q. v.
Ani'-Skalâ'li--the Tuscarora Indians; singular, Skalâ'li or A-Skalâ'i.
Ani'skwa'ni--Spaniards; singular, Askwa'ni.
Ani'-Suwa'li, or Ani-'Suwa'la--the Suala, Sara, or Cheraw Indians,
formerly about the headwaters of Broad river, North Carolina, the
Xuala province of the De Soto chronicle, and Joara or Juada of the
later Pardo narrative.
Ani'ta'gwa--the Catawba Indians; singular, Ata'gwa, or Tagwa.
Ani'-Tsâ'gûhi--a traditional Cherokee clan, transformed to bears
(see number 75). Swimmer's daughter bears the name Tsâgûhi, which is
not recognized as distinctively belonging to either sex.
Ani'-Tsa'lagi'--the Cherokee. See "Tribal Synonymy," page 182.
Ani'-Tsa`ta--the Choctaw Indians; singular, Tsa`ta.
Ani'-Tsi'ksû--the Chickasaw Indians; singular, Tsi'ksû.
Ani'-Tsi'skwa--"Bird people;" one of the seven Cherokee clans.
Ani'tsu'tsa--"The Boys," from atsu'tsa, boy; the Pleiades. See
number 10.
Ani'-Wâ'di--"Paint people"; one of the seven Cherokee clans.
Ani'-Wâdihi'--"Place of the Paint people or clan"; Paint town, a
Cherokee settlement on lower Soco creek, within the reservation in
Jackson and Swain counties, North Carolina. It takes its name from
the Ani'-Wâ'di or Paint clan.
ani'wani'ski--the bugle weed, Lycopus virginicus; literally, "they
talk" or "talkers," from tsiwa'nihû, "I am talking," awani'ski,
"he talks habitually." See number 26.
Ani'-Wasa'si--the Osage Indians; singular, Wasa'si.
Ani'-Wa'`ya--"Wolf people"; the most important of the seven Cherokee
clans.
Ani'-Yu'tsi--the Yuchi or Uchee Indians; singular Yu'tsi.
Ani'-Yûñ'wiya'--Indians, particularly Cherokee Indians; literally
"principal or real people," from yûñwi, person, ya, a suffix implying
principal or real, and ani', the tribal prefix. See pages 5 and 182.
Annie Ax--see Sadayi'.
Aquone--a post-office on Nantahala river, in Macon county, North
Carolina, site of the former Fort Scott. Probably a corruption of
egwâni, river.
Arch, John--see Atsi.
asâ'gwalihû'--a pack or burden; asâ'gwal`lû' or asâ'gwi`li, "there
is a pack on him." Cf sâ'gwali'.
asehi'--surely.
Ase'nika--singular of Ani'-Se'nika. See Ani'-Nûndawe'gi.
asga'ya--man.
Asga'ya Gi'gagei--the "Red Man"; the Lightning spirit.
asgi'na--a ghost, either human or animal; from the fact that ghosts
are commonly supposed to be malevolent, the name is frequently rendered
"devil."
Asheville--see Kâsdu'yi and Unta'kiyasti'yi.
âsi--the sweat lodge and occasional winter sleeping apartment of the
Cherokee and other southern tribes. It was a low-built structure of
logs covered with earth, and from its closeness and the fire usually
kept smoldering within was known to the old traders as the "hot house."
â'siyu' (abbreviated siyu')--good; the common Cherokee salute;
gâ'siyu', "I am good"; hâ'siyu', "thou art good"; â'siyu, "he (it)
is good"; âstû, "very good" (intensive).
Askwa'ni--a Spaniard. See Ani'skwa'ni.
âstû'--very good; âstû tsiki', very good, best of all. Cf â'siyu'.
Astu'gatâ'ga--A Cherokee lieutenant in the Confederate service,
killed in 1862. See page 170. The name may be rendered, "Standing in
the doorway" but implies that the man himself is the door or shutter;
it has no first person; gatâ'ga, "he is standing"; stu`ti, a door
or shutter; stuhû', a closed door or passage; stugi'sti, a key,
i. e. something with which to open a door.
asûñ'tli, asûñtlûñ'yi--a footlog or bridge; literally, "log lying
across," from asi'ta, log.
ata'--wood; ata'ya, "principal wood," i. e. oak; cf. Muscogee iti,
wood.
Atagâ'hi--"Gall place," from a'tagû', gall, and hi, locative; a
mythic lake in the Great Smoky mountains. See number 69. The name is
also applied to that part of the Great Smoky range centering about
Thunderhead mountain and Miry ridge, near the boundary between Swain
county, North Carolina, and Blount county, Tennessee.
a'tagû'--gall.
Ata'-gûl`kalû'--a noted Cherokee chief, recognized by the British
government as the head chief or "emperor" of the Nation, about 1760 and
later, and commonly known to the whites as the Little Carpenter (Little
Cornplanter, by mistake, in Haywood). The name is frequently spelled
Atta-kulla-kulla, Ata-kullakulla or Ata-culculla. It may be rendered
"Leaning-wood," from ata', "wood" and gûl`kalû, a verb implying that
something long is leaning, without sufficient support, against some
other object; it has no first person form. Bartram describes him as
"a man of remarkably small stature, slender and of a delicate frame,
the only instance I saw in the Nation; but he is a man of superior
abilities."
Ata'gwa--a Catawba Indian. See Ani'la'gwa.
A`tâhi'ta--abbreviated from A`tâhitûñ'yi, "Place where they shouted,"
from gatâ'hiû', "I shout," and yi, locative. Waya gap, on the ridge
west of Franklin, Macon county, North. Carolina. See number 13. The
map name is probably from the Cherokee wa`ya, wolf.
Ata-kullakulla--see Ata'-gûl`kalû'.
â'tali--mountain; in the Lower dialect â'tari, whence the "Ottare" or
Upper Cherokee of Adair. The form â'tali is used only in composition;
a mountain in situ is âtalûñyi or gatu'si.
â'tali-gûli'--"it climbs the mountain," i. e., "mountain-climber";
the ginseng plant, Ginseng quinquefolium; from â'tali, mountain,
and gûli', "it climbs" (habitually); tsilahi' or tsili', "I am
climbing." Also called in the sacred formulas, Yûñ'wi Usdi', "Little
Man." See number 126.
a'talulû--unfinished, premature, unsuccessful; whence utalu'li,
"it is not yet time."
Ata'lûñti'ski--a chief of the Arkansas Cherokee about 1818, who
had originally emigrated from Tennessee. The name, commonly spelled
Tollunteeskee, Taluntiski, Tallotiskee, Tallotuskee, etc., denotes
one who throws some living object from a place, as an enemy from a
precipice. See number 100 for instance.
â'tari--see â'tali.
atasi' (or atasû', in a dialectic form)--a war club.
atatsûñ'ski--stinging; literally, "he stings" (habitually).
A`tla'nuwa'--"Tla'nuwa hole"; the Cherokee name of Chattanooga,
Tennessee, (see Tsatanu'gi) originally applied to a bluff on the
south side of the Tennessee river at the foot of the present Market
street. See number 124.
A'tsi--the Cherokee name of John Arch, one of the earliest native
writers in the Sequoya characters. The word is simply an attempt at
the English name Arch.
atsi'la--fire; in the Lower dialect, atsi'ra.
Atsil'-dihye'gi--"Fire Carrier"; apparently the Cherokee name
for the will-of-the-wisp. See page 335. As is usually the case in
Cherokee compounds, the verbal form is plural ("it carries fires");
the singular form is ahye'gi.
atsil'-sûñ`ti (abbreviated tsil'-sûñ`ti)--fleabane (Erigeron
canadense); the name signifies "material with which to make fire,"
from atsi'la, fire, and gasûñ`ti, (gatsûñ`ti or gatlûñ`ti), material
with which to make something; from gasûñ'skû (or gatlûñ'skû),
"I make it." The plant is also called ihyâ'ga. See number 126.
Atsil'-tlûñtû'tsi--"Fire panther." A meteor or comet. See notes to
number 9.
Atsi'la-wa'i--"Fire ----"; a mountain, sometimes known as Rattlesnake
knob, about two miles northeast of Cherokee, Swain county, North
Carolina. See number 122.
a'tsina'--cedar; cf. Muscogee, achena or auchenau.
A'tsina'-k`ta'ûñ--"Hanging cedar place"; from a'tsina', cedar, and
k`taûñ, "where it (long) hangs down"; a Cherokee name for the old
Taskigi town on Little Tennessee river in Monroe county, Tennessee. See
number 105.
atsi'ra--see atsi'la.
Atsûñ'sta`ti'yi (abbreviated Atsûñ'sta`ti')--"Fire-light place,"
(cf. atsil-sûñ'`ti), referring to the "fire-hunting" method of killing
deer in the river at night. The proper form for Chestatee river,
near Dahlonega, in Lumpkin county, Georgia.
Attakullakulla--see Ata-gûl`kalû'.
awa'--see ama'.
awâ'hili--eagle; particularly Aquila chrysætus, distinguished as the
"pretty-feathered eagle."
a`wi'--deer; also sometimes written and pronounced, ahawi'; the name
is sometimes applied to the large horned beetle, the "flying stag"
of early writers.
a`wi'-ahanu'lahi--goat; literally, "bearded deer."
a`wi'-akta'--"deer eye"; the Rudbeckia or black-eyed Susan.
a`wi'-ahyeli'ski--"deer mocker"; the deer bleat, a sort of whistle
used by hunters to call the doe by imitating the cry of the fawn.
a`wi'-e'gwa (abbreviated a`w-e'gwa)--the elk, literally "great deer."
a`wi'-unade'na--sheep; literally "woolly deer."
A`wi' Usdi'--"Little Deer"; the mythic chief of the Deer tribe. See
number 15.
Ax, Annie--see Sadayi'.
Ax, John--see Itagû'nahi.
Ayâ'sta--"The Spoiler," from tsiyâ'stihû, "I spoil it"; cf. uyâ'i,
bad. A prominent woman and informant on the East Cherokee reservation.
aye`li--half, middle, in the middle.
Ayrate--see e'ladi'.
Ayuhwa'si--the proper form of the name commonly written Hiwassee. It
signifies a savanna or meadow and was applied to two (or more) former
Cherokee settlements. The more important, commonly distinguished
as Ayuhwa'si Egwâ'hi or Great Hiwassee, was on the north bank of
Hiwassee river at the present Savannah ford above Columbus, in Polk
county, Tennessee. The other was farther up the same river, at the
junction of Peachtree creek, above Murphy, in Cherokee county, North
Carolina. Lanman writes it Owassa.
A`yûñ'ini--"Swimmer"; literally, "he is swimming," from gayûñini',
"I am swimming." A principal priest and informant of the East Cherokee,
died in 1899.
Ayûlsû'--see Dayûlsûñ'yi.
Beaverdam--see Uy'gilâ'gi.
Big-island--see Amaye`l-e'gwa.
Big-cove--see Kâ'lanûñ'yi.
Big-mush--see Gatûñ'wa`li.
Big-witch--see Tskil-e'gwa.
Bird-town--see Tsiskwâ'hi.
Bloody-fellow--see Iskagua.
Blythe--see Diskwa`ni.
Black-fox--see Inâ'li.
Boudinot, Elias--see Galagi'na.
Bowl, The; Bowles, Colonel--see Diwa`li.
Brass--see Ûñtsaiyi'.
Brasstown--see Itse'yi.
Breath, The--see Ûñli'ta.
Briertown--see Kanu'ga`lâ'yi.
Buffalo (creek)--see Yûnsâ'i.
Bull-head--see Uskwale'na.
Butler, John--see Tsan'uga'sita.
Cade's Cove--see Tsiyâ'hi.
Canacaught--"Canacaught, the great Conjurer," mentioned as a Lower
Cherokee chief in 1684; possibly kanegwâ'ti, the water-moccasin
snake. See page 31.
Canaly--see hi'gina'lii.
Canasagua--see Gansâ'gi.
Cannastion, Cannostee--see Kana'sta.
Canuga--see Kanu'ga.
Cartoogaja--see Gatu'gitse'yi.
Cataluchee--see Gadalu'tsi.
Cauchi--a place, apparently in the Cherokee country, visited by Pardo
in 1567 (see page 29). The name may possibly have some connection
with Nacoochee or Nagu`tsi', q. v.
Caunasaita--given as the name of a Lower Cherokee chief in 1684;
possibly for Kanûñsi'ta, "dogwood" (Cornus florida). See page 31.
Chalaque--see Tsa'lagi under "Tribal Synonymy," page 182.
Chattanooga--see Tsatanu'gi.
Chattooga, Chatuga--see Tsatu'gi.
Cheeowhee--see Tsiyâ'hi.
Cheerake--see Tsa'lagi, under "Tribal Synonymy," page 182.
Cheowa--see Tsiyâ'hi.
Cheowa Maximum--see Sehwate'yi.
Cheraqui--see Tsa'lagi, under "Tribal Synonymy," page 182.
Cheraw--see Ani'-Suwa'li.
Cherokee--see Tsa'lagi, under "Tribal Synonymy," page 182; also
Elawâ'diyi.
Chestatee--see Atsûñ'sta`ti'yi.
Chestua--see Tsistu'yi.
Cheucunsene--see Tsi'yu-gûnsi'ni.
Cheulah--mentioned by Timberlake as the chief of Settacoo (Si'tikû)
in 1762. The name may be intended for Tsu`la, "Fox."
Chickamauga--see Tsi'kama'gi.
Chilhowee--see Tsû`lûñ'we.
Chimney Tops--see Duni'skwa`lgûñ'i.
Chisca--mentioned in the De Soto narratives as a mining region in
the Cherokee country. The name may have a connection with Tsi'skwa,
"bird," possibly Tsiskwâ'hi, "Bird place."
Choastea--see Tsistu'yi.
Chopped Oak--see Digalu'yatûñ'yi.
Choquata--see Itsâ'ti.
Chota, Chotte--see Itsâ'ti.
Citico--see Si'tikû'.
Clear-sky--see Iskagua.
Clennuse--see Tlanusi'yi.
Cleveland--see Tsistetsi'yi.
Coça--see Ani'-Ku'sa.
Coco--see Kukû'.
Cohutta--see Gahû'ti.
Colanneh, Colona--see Kâ'lanû.
Conasauga--see Gansâ'gi.
Conneross--see Kawân'-urâ'sûñyi.
Cooweescoowee--see Gu'wisguwi'.
Coosa--see Ani'-Ku'sa and Kusa'.
Coosawatee--see Ku'saweti'yi.
Corani--see Kâ'lanû.
Cossa--see Ani'-Ku'sa, Kusa.
Cowee'--see Kawi'yi.
Coweeta, Coweta--see Ani'-Kawi'ta.
Coyatee (variously spelled Cawatie, Coiatee, Coytee, Coytoy,
Kai-a-tee)--A former Cherokee settlement on Little Tennessee river,
some ten miles below the junction of Tellico, about the present Coytee
post-office in Loudon county, Tennessee. The correct form and etymology
are uncertain.
Creek-path--see Ku'sa-nûñnâ'hi.
Crow-town--see Kâgûñ'yi.
Cuhtahlatah--a Cherokee woman noted in the Wahnenauhi manuscript as
having distinguished herself by bravery in battle. The proper form
may have some connection with gatûñ'lati, "wild hemp."
Cullasagee--see Kûlse'tsi'yi.
Cullowhee, Currahee--see Gûlâhi'yi.
Cuttawa--see Kitu'hwa.
dagan`tû--"he makes it rain"; from aga'ska, "it is raining," aga'na,
"it has begun to rain"; a small variety of lizard whose cry is said
to presage rain. It is also called a'niganti'ski, "they make it rain"
(plural form), or "rain-maker." See number 59.
dagûl`kû--the American white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons
gambeli). The name may be an onomatope. See number 6.
dagû'na--the fresh water mussel; also a variety of face pimples.
Dagûnâ'hi--"Mussel place," from dagû'na, mussel, and hi,
locative. The Muscle shoals on Tennessee river, in northwestern
Alabama. It was sometimes called also simply Tsu`stanalûñ'yi,
"Shoals place." Cf. U`stana'li.
Dagû'nawe'lâhi--"Mussel-liver place," from dagû'na, mussel, uwe'la,
liver, and hi, locative; the Cherokee name for the site of Nashville,
Tennessee. No reason can now be given for the name.
Dahlonega--A town in Lumpkin County, Georgia, near which the first
gold was mined. A mint was established there in 1838. The name is
from the Cherokee dala'nige'i, yellow, whence ate'la-dalâ'nige'i,
"yellow money," i. e., gold.
daksawa'ihû--"he is shedding tears."
dakwa'--a mythic great fish; also the whale. See number 68.
Dakwa'i--"Dakwa place," from a tradition of a dakwa' in the river at
that point. A former Cherokee settlement, known to the traders as Toqua
or Toco, on Little Tennessee river, about the mouth of Toco creek in
Monroe county, Tennessee. See number 68. A similar name and tradition
attaches to a spot on the French Broad river, about six miles above
the Warm springs, in Buncombe county, North Carolina. See number 122.
dakwa'nitlastesti--"I shall have them on my legs for garters"; from
anitla'sti (plural dinitla'sti), garter; d-, initial plural; akwa,
first person particle; and esti, future suffix. See number 77.
da'liksta'--"vomiter," from dagik'stihû', "I am vomiting," daliksta',
"he vomits" (habitually); the form is plural. The spreading adder
(Heterodon), also sometimes called kwandaya'hû, a word of uncertain
etymology.
Da'`nagâsta--for Da'`nawa-gâsta'ya, "Sharp-war," i.e. "Eager-warrior";
a Cherokee woman's name.
Da'`nawa-(a)sa`tsûñ'yi "War ford," from da'`nawa, war, and asa`tsûñ'yi,
a crossing-place or ford. A ford on Cheowa river about three miles
below Robbinsville, in Graham county, North Carolina. See number 122.
Danda'ganû'--"Two looking at each other," from detsi'ganû', "I am
looking at him." A former Cherokee settlement, commonly known as
Lookout Mountain town, on Lookout Mountain creek, near the present
Trenton, Dade county, Georgia. One of the Chickamauga towns (see
Tsi'kama'gi), so called on account of the appearance of the mountains
facing each other across the Tennessee river at Chattanooga.
Da'si`giya'gi--an old masculine personal name, of doubtful etymology,
but commonly rendered by the traders "Shoe-boots," possibly
referring to some peculiar style of moccasin or leggin. A chief
known to the whites as Shoe-boots is mentioned in the Revolutionary
records. Chief Lloyd Welch, of the eastern band, was known in the
tribe as Da'si`giya'gi and the same name is now used by the East
Cherokee as the equivalent of the name Lloyd.
Da'skwitûñ'yi--"Rafters place," from daskwitûñ'i, "rafters," and yi,
locative. A former settlement on Tusquittee creek, near Hayesville,
in Clay county, North Carolina.
dasûñ'tali--ant; dasûñ'tali atatsûñ'ski, "stinging ant," the large
red cow-ant (Myrmica?), also called sometimes, on account of its hard
body-case, nûñ'yunu'wi, "stone-clad," after the fabulous monster. See
number 67.
Datle'yasta'i--"Where they fell down," a point on Tuckasegee river,
a short distance above Webster, in Jackson county, North Carolina. For
tradition see number 122.
dâtsi--a traditional water monster. See number 122.
Dâtsi'yi--"Dâtsi place"; a place on Little Tennessee river, near
the junction of Eagle creek, in Swain county, North Carolina. See
number 122.
Datsu'nalâsgûñ'yi--"where there are tracks or footprints,"
from ulâ'sinûñ'yi or ulâsgûñ'yi, footprint. Track Rock gap, near
Blairsville, Georgia. Also sometimes called De'gayelûñ'ha, "place of
branded marks"; (digaletanûñ'hi, branded, or printed). See number 125.
dâ'yi--beaver.
Dayûlsûñ'yi--"Place where they cried," a spot on the ridge at the
head of Tuckasegee river, in Jackson county, North Carolina; so called
from an old tradition. See number 80.
dâ'yuni'si--"beaver's grandchild," from dâ'yi, beaver, and uni'si,
son's child, of either sex (daughter's child, either sex, uli'si). The
water beetle or mellow bug (Dineutes discolor).
Degal`gûñ'yi--a cairn, literally "Where they are piled up"; a series
of cairns on the south side of Cheowa river, in Graham county, North
Carolina. See number 122.
De'gatâ'ga--The Cherokee name of General Stand Watie and of a
prominent early western chief known to the whites as Takatoka. The
word is derived from tsitâ'ga, "I am standing," da`nitâ'ga, "they are
standing together," and conveys the subtle meaning of two persons
standing together and so closely united in sympathy as to form but
one human body.
De'gayelûñ'ha--see Datsu'nalâsgûñ'yi.
detsanûñ'li--an inclosure or piece of level ground cleared for
ceremonial purposes; applied more particularly to the Green-corn dance
ground. The word has a plural form, but can not be certainly analyzed.
De'tsata--a Cherokee sprite. See number 78.
detsinu'lahûñgû'--"I tried, but failed."
Dida`lâski'yi--"Showering place." In the story (number 17) the name
is understood to mean "The place where it rains fire." It signifies
literally, however, the place where it showers, or comes down, and
lodges upon something animate, and has no definite reference to fire
(atsi'la) or rain (agaska, "it is raining"); dega`lâskû', "they are
showering down and lodging upon him."
Dida'skasti'yi--"Where they were afraid of each other." A spot on
Little Tennessee river, near the mouth of Alarka creek, in Swain
county, North Carolina. See number 122.
diga'gwani'--the mud-hen or didapper (Gallinula galeata). The name
is a plural form and implies "lame," or "crippled in the legs"
(cf. detsi'nigwa'na, "I am kneeling"), probably from the bouncing
motion of the bird when in the water. It is also the name of a dance.
Diga'kati'yi--see Gakati'yi.
di'galûñgûñ'yi--"where it rises, or comes up"; the east. The sacred
term is Nûñdâ'yi, q. v.
digalûñ'latiyûñ--a height, one of a series, from galûn'lati,
"above." See number 1.
Digalu'yatûñ'yi--"Where it is gashed (with hatchets)"; from tsilu'yû,
"I am cutting (with a chopping stroke)," di, plural prefix, and yi,
locative. The Chopped Oak, formerly east of Clarkesville, Georgia. See
number 125.
Digane'ski--"He picks them up" (habitually), from tsine'û, "I am
picking it up." A Cherokee Union soldier in the civil war. See
page 171.
digi'gage'i--the plural of gi'gage'i, red.
digû'lanahi'ta--for digû'li-anahi'ta, "having long ears," "long-eared";
from gûle, "ear" and gûnahi'ta, "long."
Dihyûñ'dula'--"Sheaths," or "Scabbards"; singular ahyûñ'dula',
"a gun sheath," or other scabbard. The probable correct form of a
name which appears in Revolutionary documents as "Untoola, or Gun Rod."
dikta'--plural of akta', eye.
dila'--skunk.
dilsta'ya`ti--"scissors"; the water-spider (Dolomedes).
dinda'skwate'ski--the violet; the name signifies, "they pull each
other's heads off."
dine'tlana--the creation.
di`nûski--"the breeder"; a variety of smilax brier. See number 126.
Disgâ'gisti'yi--"Where they gnaw"; a place on Cheowa river, in Graham
county, North Carolina. See number 122.
diskwa`ni--"chestnut bread," i. e., a variety of bread having chestnuts
mixed with it. The Cherokee name of James Blythe, interpreter and
agency clerk.
distai'yi--"they are strong," plural of astai'yi, "strong, or
tough." The Tephrosia or devil's-shoestring. See number 126.
dista'sti--a mill (generic).
dita'stayeski--"a barber," literally "one who cuts things" (as with a
scissors), from tsista'yû, "I cut," (as with a scissors). The cricket
(tala'tu) is sometimes so called. See number 59.
Diwa'`li--"Bowl," a prominent chief of the western Cherokee, known
to the whites as The Bowl, or Colonel Bowles, killed by the Texans
in 1839. The chief mentioned on page 100 may have been another of
the same name.
diyâ'hali (or duyâ'hali)--the alligator lizard (Sceloporue
undulalus). See number 59.
Diyâ'hali'yi--"Lizard place," from diyâ'hali, lizard, and yi,
locative. Joanna bald, a mountain at the head of Valley river, on
the line between Cherokee and Graham counties, North Carolina. For
tradition see number 122; also number 59.
Double-head--see Tal-tsu'ska'.
Dragging-canoe--see Tsi'yu-gûnsi'ni.
Dudûñ'leksûñ'yi--"Where its legs were broken off"; a place on
Tuckasegee river, a few miles above Webster, in Jackson county,
North Carolina. See number 122.
Dugilu'yi (abbreviated Dugilu', and commonly written Tugaloo, or
sometimes Toogelah or Toogoola)--a name occurring in several places
in the old Cherokee country, the best known being Tugaloo river, so
called from a former Cherokee settlement of that name situated at the
junction of Toccoa creek with the main stream, in Habersham county,
Georgia. The word is of uncertain etymology, but seems to refer to
a place at the forks of a stream.
Dûksa'i, Dûkw`sa'i--The correct form of the name commonly written
Toxaway, applied to a former Cherokee settlement in South Carolina,
and the creek upon which it stood, an extreme head-stream of Keowee
river having its source in Jackson county, North Carolina. The meaning
of the name is lost, although it has been wrongly interpreted to mean
"Place of shedding tears." See number 123.
Dulastûñ'yi--"Potsherd place." A former Cherokee settlement on Nottely
river in Cherokee county, North Carolina. See number 122.
dule'tsi--"kernels," a goitrous swelling upon the throat.
dulu'si--a variety of frog found upon the headwaters of Savannah
river. See number 125.
Duniya`ta`lûñ'yi--"Where there are shelves, or flat places," from
aya`te'ni, flat, whence da'ya`tana`lûñ'i', a shelf, and yi', the
locative. A gap on the Great Smoky range, near Clingman's dome,
Swain county, North Carolina. See notes to number 100.
Dunidû'lalûñ'yi--"Where they made arrows"; a place on Straight creek, a
head-stream of Oconaluftee river, in Swain county, North Carolina. See
number 122.
Duni'skwa`lgûñ'i--the double peak known as the Chimney Tops, in the
Great Smoky mountains about the head of Deep creek, in Swain county,
North Carolina. On the north side is the pass known as Indian gap. The
name signifies a "forked antler," from uskwa`lgû, antler, but indicates
that the antler is attached in place, as though the deer itself were
concealed below.
Du'stayalûñ'yi--"Where it made a noise as of thunder or shooting,"
apparently referring to a lightning stroke (detsistaya'hihû, "I make
a shooting, or thundering, noise," might be a first person form used
by the personified Thunder-god); a spot on Hiwassee river, about
the junction of Shooting creek, near Hayesville, in Clay county,
North Carolina. A former settlement along the creek bore the same
name. See number 79.
du'stu'--a species of frog, appearing very early in spring; the name
is intended for an onomatope. It is the correct form of the name of
the chief noted by McKenney and Hall as "Tooantuh or Spring Frog."
Dutch--see Tatsi'.
duwe`ga--the spring lizard. See number 59.
Eagle dance--see Tsugidû`li' Ûlsgi'sti.
Eastinaulee--see U`stana'li.
Echoee--see Itse'yi.
Echota--see Itsâ'ti.
Edâ'hi--"He goes about" (habitually); a masculine name.
Echota, New--see Gansâ'gi.
edâ'ta--my father (Upper dialect); the Middle and Lower dialect form
is agidâ'ta.
edu'tu--my maternal grandfather (Upper dialect); the Middle and Lower
dialect form is agidu'tu; cf. eni'si.
e'gwa--great; cf. u'tanû.
egwâ'ni--river.
Egwânul`ti--"By the river," from egwâ'ni, river, and nu'lati or nul`ti,
near, beside. The proper form of Oconaluftee, the name of the river
flowing through the East Cherokee reservation in Swain and Jackson
counties, North Carolina. The Cherokee town, "Oconalufte," mentioned
by Bartram as existing about 1775, was probably on the lower course
of the river at the present Birdtown, on the reservation, where was
formerly a considerable mound.
ela--earth, ground.
e'ladi'--low, below; in the Lower dialect e'radi', whence the Ayrate
or Lower Cherokee of Adair as distinguished from the Ottare (â'tari,
â'tali) or Upper Cherokee.
elanti--a song form for e'ladi, q. v.
Elatse'yi (abbreviated Elatse')--possibly "Green (Verdant) earth," from
ela, earth, and itse'yi, green, from fresh-springing vegetation. The
name of several former Cherokee settlements, commonly known to the
whites as Ellijay, Elejoy or Allagae. One of these was upon the
headwaters of Keowee river in South Carolina; another was on Ellijay
creek of Little Tennessee river, near the present Franklin, in Macon
county, North Carolina; another was about the present Ellijay in
Gilmer county, Georgia; and still another was on Ellejoy creek of
Little river near the present Maryville, in Blount county, Tennessee.
Elawâ'diyi (abbreviated Elawâ'di)--"Red-earth place" from ela, earth,
wâdi, brown-red or red paint, and yi, the locative. 1. The Cherokee
name of Yellow-hill settlement, now officially known as Cherokee,
the postoffice and agency headquarters for the East Cherokee,
on Oconaluftee river in Swain county, North Carolina. 2. A former
council ground, known in history as Red Clay, at the site of the
present village of that name in Whitfield county, Georgia, adjoining
the Tennessee line.
Ellijay--see Elatse'yi.
eni'si--my paternal grandfather (Upper dialect); the Middle and Lower
dialect form is agini'si. Cf. edu'tu.
Eskaqua--see Iskagua.
Estanaula, Estinaula--see U`stana'li.
Etawa'ha-tsistatla'ski--"Deadwood-lighter," a traditional Cherokee
conjurer. See number 100.
e`ti, or eti--old, long ago.
Etowah--see I'tawa'.
Etsaiyi'--see Ûñtsaiyi'.
etsi'--my mother (Upper dialect); the Middle and Lower dialect form
is agitsi'.
Euharlee--see Yuha'li'.
Feather dance--see Tsugidû`li, Ûlsgi'sti.
Fighting-town--see Walâs'-unûlsli'yi.
Flax-toter--see Tâle'danigi'ski.
Flying-squirrel--see Kâ'lahû'.
French Broad--see Unta'kiyasti'yi.
Frogtown--see Walâsi'yi.
Gadalu'lu--the proper name of the mountain known to the whites as Yonah
(from yânû, "bear"), or upper Chattahoochee river, in White county,
Georgia. The name has no connection with Tallulah (see Talulu'),
and can not be translated.
Gadalu'tsi--in the corrupted form of Cataluchee this appears on the map
as the name of a peak, or rather a ridge, on the line between Swain
and Haywood counties, in North Carolina, and of a creek running down
on the Haywood side into Big Pigeon river. It is properly the name
of the ridge only and seems to refer to a "fringe standing erect,"
apparently from the appearance of the timber growing in streaks
along the side of the mountain; from wadalu'yata, fringe, gadû'ta,
"standing up in a row or series."
gahawi'sita--parched corn; improperly spelled wissactaw by Hawkins. See
note under number 83.
Gahûti (Gahû'ta and Gwahû'ti in dialectic forms)--Cohutta mountain,
in Murray county, Georgia. The name comes from gahûtâ'yi, "a shed roof
supported on poles," and refers to a fancied resemblance in the summit.
Gakati'yi--"Place of setting free"; sometimes spoken in the plural
form, Diga'kati'yi, "Place of setting them free." A point on Tuckasegee
river about three miles above Bryson City, in Swain county, North
Carolina. See number 122.
gaktûñ'ta--an injunction, command or rule, more particularly a
prohibition or ceremonial tabu. Tsiga`te'gû, "I am observing an
injunction, or tabu"; adakte'gi, "he is under tabu regulations."
Galagi'na--a male deer (buck) or turkey (gobbler); in the first
sense the name is sometimes used also for the large horned beetle
(Dynastes tityus?). The Indian name of Elias Boudinot, first Cherokee
editor. See page 111.
gali'sgisidâ'hû--I am dancing about; from gali'sgia', "I am dancing,"
and edâhû', "I am going about."
galûñkw'ti'yu--honored, sacred; used in the bible to mean holy,
hallowed.
galûñ'lati--above, on high.
gane'ga--skin.
ganidawâ'ski--the campion, catchfly or "rattlesnake's master" (Silene
stellata); the name signifies "it disjoints itself," from ganidawâskû',
"it is unjointing itself," on account of the peculiar manner in which
the dried stalk breaks off at the joints.
Gansâ'gi (or Gansâgiyi)--the name of several former settlements in
the old Cherokee country; it cannot be analyzed. One town of this
name was upon Tuckasegee river, a short distance above the present
Webster, in Jackson county, North Carolina; another was on the lower
part of Canasauga creek, in McMinn county, Tennessee; a third was at
the junction of Conasauga and Coosawatee rivers, where afterward was
located the Cherokee capital, New Echota, in Gordon county, Georgia; a
fourth, mentioned in the De Soto narratives as Canasoga or Canasagua,
was located in 1540 on the upper Chattahoochee river, possibly in
the neighborhood of Kenesaw mountain, Georgia (see page 197).
Gansa`ti'yi--"Robbing place," from tsina'sahûñskû', "I am robbing
him." Vengeance creek of Valley river, in Cherokee county, North
Carolina. The name Vengeance was originally a white man's nickname
for an old Cherokee woman, of forbidding aspect, who lived there
before the Removal. See number 122.
Ganse`ti--a rattle; as the Cherokee dance rattle is made from a gourd
the masculine name, Ganse`ti, is usually rendered by the whites,
"Rattling-gourd."
gatayûsti--the wheel and stick game of the southern tribes, incorrectly
called nettecawaw by Timberlake. See note under number 3.
Gâtegwâ'--for Gâtegwâ'hi, possibly a contraction of Igât(i)-egwâ'hi,
"Great-swamp (-thicket) place." A high peak southeast from Franklin,
Macon county, North Carolina, and perhaps identical with Fodderstack
mountain. See number 75.
ga'tsû--see hatlû'.
Gatu'gitse'yi (abbreviated Gatu'gitse')--"New-settlement place,"
from gatu'gi or sgatu'gi, town, settlement, itse'hi, new, especially
applied to new vegetation, and yi, the locative. A former settlement
on Cartoogaja creek of Little Tennessee river, above Franklin, in
Macon county, North Carolina.
Gatuti'yi--"Town-building place," or "Settlement place," from gatu'gi,
a settlement, and yi, locative. A place on Santeetla creek, near
Robbinsville, in Graham county, North Carolina. See number 122.
Gatûñ'lti'yi--"Hemp place," from gatûñ'lati, "wild hemp" (Apocynum
cannabinum), and yi, locative. A former Cherokee settlement, commonly
known as Hemptown, on the creek of the same name, near Morganton,
in Fannin county, Georgia.
Gatûñ'wa`li--a noted western Cherokee about 1842, known to the whites
as "Hard-mush" or "Big-mush." Gatûñ'wa`li, from ga'tu', "bread," and
ûñwa'`li, "made into balls or lumps," is a sort of mush of parched
corn meal, made very thick, so that it can be dipped out in lumps
almost of the consistency of bread.
ge'i--down stream, down the road, with the current; tsâ'gi, up stream.
gese'i--was; a separate word which, when used after the verb in the
present tense, makes it past tense without change of form; in the
form hi'gese'i it usually accompanies an emphatic repetition.
Ge`yagu'ga (for Age'hya-guga?)--a formulistic name for the moon
(nûñ'da'); it cannot be analyzed, but seems to contain the word
age'hya, "woman." See also nûñ'da'.
giga--blood; cf. gi'gage'i, red.
gi'ga-danegi'ski--"blood taker," from giga, blood, and ada'negi'ski,
"one who takes liquids," from tsi'negia', "I am taking it"
(liquid). Another name for the tsâne'ni or scorpion lizard. See
number 59.
gi'gage'i--red, bright red, scarlet; the brown-red of certain animals
and clays is distinguished as wâ'dige'i.
gi'ga-tsuha'`li--"bloody-mouth," literally, "having blood on the
corners of his mouth"; from giga, blood, and tsuhanûñsi'yi, the
corners of the mouth (aha'li, his mouth). A large lizard, probably
the Pleistodon. See number 59.
gi`li'--dog; in the Lower dialect, gi`ri'.
Gi`li'-dinehûñ'yi--"Where the dogs live," from gi`li', dog, dinehû',
"they dwell" (ehû, "I dwell"), and yi, locative. A place on Oconaluftee
river, a short distance above Cherokee, in Swain county, North
Carolina. See number 122.
Gi`li'-utsûñ'stanuñ'yi--"Where the dog ran," from gi`li', dog, and
utsûñ'stanûñ'yi, "footprints made by an animal running"; the Milky
Way. See number 11.
ginûnti--a song form for ginû'tii', "to lay him (animate object)
upon the ground." See number 75.
gi`ri'--see gi`li'.
Gisehûñ'yi--"Where the female lives," from agi'si, female, and yi,
the locative. A place on Tuckasegee river, a short distance above
Bryson City, Swain county, North Carolina. See number 122.
gitlû'--hair (Upper dialect); in the Middle and Lower dialects, gitsû'.
gitsû'--see gitlû'.
Glass, The--see Ta'gwadihi'.
Gohoma--A Lower Cherokee chief in 1684; the form cannot be
identified. See page 31.
Going-snake--see I'nadûna'i.
Gorhaleke--a Lower Cherokee chief in 1684; the form cannot be
identified. See page 31.
Great island--see Amaye`l-e'gwa.
Gregory bald--see Tsistu'yi.
Guachoule--see Guaxule.
Guaquili (Wakili)--a town in the Cherokee country, visited by De
Soto in 1540, and again in 1567 by Pardo, who calls it Aguaquiri
(see pages 25 and 28). The name may have a connection with waguli',
"whippoorwill," or with u-)wâ'gi`li, "foam."
Guasula--see Guaxule.
Guasili--see Guaxule.
Guaxule--a town in the Cherokee country, visited by De Soto in 1540;
variously spelled in the narratives, Guasili, Guachoule, Guasula,
Guaxule, Quaxule, etc. It was probably about at Nacoochee mound, in
White county, Georgia. It has been suggested that the Spaniards may
have changed the Indian name to resemble that of a town in Spain. See
pages 26 and 194.
gû'daye'wû--"I have sewed myself together"; "I am sewing," tsiye'wia';
"I am sewing myself together," gûdayewiû. See number 31.
gugwe' (or g`gwe')--the quail or partridge; the name is an onomatope.
gugwe'-ulasu'la--"partridge moccasin," from gugwe' or g`gwe',
partridge, and ulasula, moccasin or shoe; the ladyslipper
(Cypripedium).
Gûlâhi'yi (abbreviated Gûlâhi', or Gûrâhi', in the Lower
dialect)--"Gûlâ'hi place," so called from an unidentified spring plant
eaten as a salad by the Cherokee. The name of two or more places in the
old Cherokee country; one about Currahee mountain in Habersham county,
Georgia, the other on Cullowhee river, an upper branch of Tuckasegee,
in Jackson county, North Carolina. Currahee Dick was a noted chief
about the year 1820.
Gû'lani'yi--a Cherokee and Natchez settlement formerly about the
junction of Brasstown creek with Hiwassee river, a short distance
above Murphy, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. The etymology of
the word is doubtful.
gule'--acorn.
gûle'-diska`nihi'--the turtle-dove; literally, "it cries, or mourns,
for acorns," from gule', acorn, and diska`nihi', "it cries for them"
(di-, plural prefix, -hi, habitual suffix). The turtle-dove feeds
upon acorns and its cry somewhat resembles the name, gule'.
gûle'gi--"climber," from tsilahi', "I climb" (second person, hi'lahi';
third person, gûlahi'); the blacksnake (Bascanion constrictor).
Gûl`kala'ski--An earlier name for Tsunu'lahûñ'ski, q. v.
gûl`kwâ'gi--seven; also the mole-cricket (Gryllotalpa). See number 59.
gûl`kwâ'gine(-i--seventh; from gûl`kwâgi, seven.
Gûlsadihi' (or Gûltsadihi'?)--a masculine personal name, of uncertain
etymology.
Gumlog--see Tsilalu'hi.
gûnahi'ta--long.
Gû'nahitûñ'yi--"Long place" (i.e., Long valley), from gûnahita,
long, and yi, locative. A former settlement, known to the whites as
Valleytown, where now is the town of the same name, on Valley river,
in Cherokee county, North Carolina. The various settlements on Valley
river and the adjacent part of Hiwassee were known collectively as the
"Valley towns."
Gûn'-di'gaduhûñ'yi (abbreviated Gûn'-digadu'hûñ)--"Turkey settlement"
(gû'na, turkey), so called from the chief, Turkey or Little Turkey. A
former settlement, known to the whites as Turkeytown, upon the west
bank of Coosa river, opposite the present Center, in Cherokee county,
Alabama.
gû'nî'--arrow. Cf. Seneca ga'na'.
gûñ'nage'i (or gûñ'nage)--black.
Gûñne'hi--see Nûñne'hi.
Gûñskali'ski--a masculine personal name of uncertain etymology.
Gunters landing, Guntersville--see Ku'sa-Nûñnâ'hi.
Gûn-tsuskwa'`li--"Short arrows," from gûni', arrow, and tsuskwa'`li,
plural of uskwa'`li, short; a traditional western tribe. See number
105.
Gûnûñ'da`le'gi--see Nûñnâ'hi-dihi'.
Gusti'--a traditional Cherokee settlement on Tennessee river, near
Kingston, Roane county, Tennessee. See number 79. The name cannot
be analyzed. Wafford thought it a Cherokee attempt at "Kingston,"
but it seems rather to be aboriginal.
Gu'wisguwi'--The Cherokee name for the chief John Ross and for the
district named in his honor, commonly spelled Cooweescoowee. Properly
an onomatope for a large bird said to have been seen formerly at
infrequent intervals in the old Cherokee country, accompanying the
migratory wild geese, and described as resembling a large snipe,
with yellow legs and unwebbed feet. In boyhood John Ross was known
as Tsan'-usdi', "Little John."
Gwal`gâ'hi--"Frog place," from gwal`gû, a variety of frog, and hi,
locative. A place on Hiwassee river, just above the junction of
Peachtree creek, near Murphy, in Cherokee county, North Carolina;
about 1755 the site of a village of refugee Natchez, and later of a
Baptist mission.
gwehe'!--a cricket's cry. See number 119.
ha!--an introductory exclamation intended to attract attention or
add emphasis; about equivalent to Here! Now!
ha'-ma'ma'--a song term compounded of ha! an introductory exclamation,
and mama', a word which has no analysis, but is used in speaking to
young children to mean "let me carry you on my back." See number 117.
Hanging-maw--see Uskwâ'li-gû'ta.
ha'nia-lil'-lil'--an unmeaning dance refrain. See number 24.
Hard-mush--see Gatûñ'wa`li.
ha'suyak'--a song form for hasuya'gi', "(thou) pick it out"
(imperative); "I pick it out, or select it," ga'suyagiû'; second
person, ha'suyagiû'. See number 19.
ha'tlû--dialectic form, ga'tsû, "where?" (interrogative).
ha'wiye'ehi', ha'wiye'-hyuwe'--unmeaning dance refrains. See numbers
32 and 118.
hayû'--an emphatic affirmative, about equivalent to "Yes, sir!" See
number 115.
hayuya'haniwa'--an unmeaning refrain in one of the bear songs. See
number 75.
he-e!--an unmeaning song introduction.
Hemp-carrier--see Tâle'danigi'ski.
Hemptown--see Gatûñlti'yi.
hi!--unmeaning dance exclamation.
hi'gina'lii--"(you are) my friend"; agina'lii, "(he is) my friend." In
white man's jargon, canaly.
Hickory-log--see Wane'-asûñ'tlûñyi.
Hightower--see I'tawa'.
hila'gû?--how many? how much? (Upper dialect); the Middle dialect
form is hûñgû'.
hilahi'yu--long ago; the final yu makes it more emphatic.
hi'lûñnû--"(thou) go to sleep"; from tsi'lihû', "I am asleep."
hi'ski--five; cf. Mohawk wisk. The Cherokee numerals including 10 are
as follows: sâ'gwû, ta'li, tsâ'i, nûñ'gi, hi'ski, su'tali, gûl`kwâ'gi,
tsune'la, sañne'la, askâ'hi.
Hiwassee--see Ayuhwa'si.
hi'yagu'we--an unmeaning dance refrain. See number 32.
Houston, Samuel--see Ka'lanû.
hûñgû--see hila'gû.
huhu--the yellow-breasted chat, or yellow mocking bird (Icteria
virens); the name is an onomatope. See number 45.
hûñyahu'ska--"he will die."
hwi'lahi--"thou (must) go."
igagû'ti--daylight. The name is sometimes applied to the ulûñsû'ti
(q. v.), and also to the clematis vine.
i'hya--the cane reed (Arundinaria) of the Gulf states, used by the
Indians for blowguns, fishing rods, and basketry.
ihyâ'ga--see atsil'sûñ`ti.
i'nadû'--snake.
I'nadû-na'i--"Going-snake," a Cherokee chief prominent about eighty
years ago. The name properly signifies that the person is "going along
in company with a snake," the verbal part being from the irregular
verb asta'i, "I am going along with him." The name has been given to
a district of the present Cherokee Nation.
i'nage'hi--dwelling in the wilderness, an inhabitant of the wilderness;
from i'nage'i, "wilderness," and ehi, habitual present form of ehû,
"he is dwelling"; ge'û, "I am dwelling."
I'nage-utasûñ'hi--"He who grew up in the wilderness," i. e. "He who
grew up wild"; from i'nage'i, "wilderness, unoccupied timber land," and
utasûñ'hi, the third person perfect of the irregular verb, ga'tûñskû',
"I am growing up."
Inâ'li--Black-fox; the common red fox is tsu'la (in Muscogee,
chula). Black-fox was principal chief of the Cherokee Nation in
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