Cherokee History, Myths and Sacred Formulas

by James Mooney, Morgan Owle-Crisp (Editor)

Foreword from the Principal Chief of the Eastern Band and a new introduction from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. This is a must have primary source book on Cherokee. It contains 126 legends obtained on the Cherokee Reservation in N.C. in 1887-1888, covering many subjects including creation, animals, birds, snakes, fish, wonder stories, history and more.

Genres: History, Native American, Mythology, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Native Americans, Religion

408 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1992

About the author

James Mooney (James^Mooney) was an American ethnographer who lived for several years among the Cherokee. He did major studies of Southeastern Indians, as well as those on the Great Plains. His most notable works were his ethnographic studies of the Ghost Dance after Sitting Bull's death in 1890, a widespread 19th-century religious movement among various Native American culture groups, and the Cherokee: The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees (1891), and Myths of the Cherokee (1900), all published by the US Bureau of American Ethnology. Artifacts from Mooney are in the collections of the Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution and the Department of Anthropology, Field Museum of Natural History. Papers and photographs from Mooney are in the collections of the National Anthropological Archives, Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has been criticized throughout many Cherokee Communities. Mooney was widely disliked by traditional Cherokees who had little interest in sharing our stories with him so he went to children in many cases and attempted to bribe them with candy and trinkets. Some Elders say the other stories were simply made up by himself and others. Unfortunately as the years have gone by due to acculturation, many Cherokee's have accepted this book as Gospel and have begun to incorporate its stories and cultural observations as fact.

[SDAntoNia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found Mooney, though sympathetic, to be patronizing and insulting toward the Cherokee, at least in his outlook. While he was 'progressive' for the time, reading the book was difficult, as one must sort the fact of Cherokee belief from Mooney's sometimes infuriating commentary.
Shira Destinie
MEOW Date Monday, April 23, 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Excellent resource about Cherokee history, culture, beliefs!!

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work is the definitive English written volume of the myths and legends of the Cherokee people and their study. A huge plus is James Mooney tellings of theses classic tales are good, I re-read them often.

[Sara Sams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best Valentines' Day present ever.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not only a classic, but I find it the best resource for the study of the Cherokees.

[Courtney Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no better resource for the study of the Cherokee, their myths, medicine, and culture.