Run Toward the Nightland; Magic of the Oklahoma Cherokees

by Jack Frederick Kilpatrick

This book by two Cherokee authors, both of whom spent their careers in education and wanted to translate ancient tribal magic in the form of incantations for the preservation of the Cherokee heritage. The scope of these magical rituals shown here are wider than was previously understood on the subject. The incantations are serviceable for a number of different purposes together with procedures for their use presented in this book. They include help in such things as hunting and fishing, controlling weather, winning in games, lawsuits, and love, creating good will and suppressing evil, and gaining protection. The types of darker magic are presented as well--parts of the Cherokee heritage which have had a salient place in Cherokee society. Many of the incantations are exceedingly beautiful, filled with the flight of birds and the dazzle of colors. "Valuting nobility" of the original phraseology comes through in the sensitive translations. This is a book that is a joy to read as well as a major contribution in American Indian anthropology.

197 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1977

Reviews

[didi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forcing an Undesirable Person
To Move Away
One of the hitherto unreported classes of idi:gawé:sdi, and one of considerable importance, is that usually recorded in manuscripts under the caption diga:ghaho:-sdo?dhi:yi ("to remove them with, one"). The purpose of this type of incantation is to prepare tobacco for use upon someone, usually a neighbor or a member of the household, whose conduct is obnoxious. The tobacco engenders in him such a sense of loneliness and rejection that he moves on in search of a friendlier spiritual climate. He experiences no actual harm, and once he leaves, his depression vanishes. Diga:ghahú:sdo?dhi:yi spells are adjudged to work as successfully upon a white man as upon an Indian, and perhaps more so. Since he knows no antidote, the white man is vulnerable to the full force of the sorcery. And since these idi:gawé:di seldom require the name and the clan of the victim, but only his mental image, a white man, who, of course, has neither name (that is, a Cherokee name) nor clan, is fair game. Against Negroes, who are notoriously difficult to conjure, one merely has to "work" a little harder than usual in order to achieve completely satisfactory results.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting stuff. He included the texts of many incantations and the music of some which were to be sung. His notation system for the Cherokee language leaves something to be desired, as there's no pronunciation guide provided with this book. I suppose the author presumed the reader would have previous familiarity with his writings. The spells and author commentary provide much insight into how the Cherokee view the world and their place in it. For example, a Cherokee home (at least when he wrote the book) was rarely locked when the owner was out, but it was definitely warded against evil intruders.

Interesting reading for those who want to know more about how Cherokee people thought, but not for those wanting to know more history. Also, if one were looking for real Native American magic, this is it. Not only do you get the text of the spell, but the instructions as to how it is to be cast. Unfortunately, Cherokee magic done in English has no potency, so too bad for all the witches out there who were hoping for some new spells.

If the book had gone on for three or four hundred pages, it would have been far too boring and bland, but it clocks in under 200 so the average reader should be able to get through it without too much trouble.