History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees

by James Mooney, George Ellison

Originally published as two separate volumes by the U.S. Bureau of Ethnology, James Mooney's History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees has enduring significance for both Native Americans and non-Indian people. The book contains the full texts of James Mooney's Myths of the Cherokee (1900) and The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees (1891), with an exclusive biographical introduction by George Ellison, James Mooney and the Eastern Cherokees. Mooney's exhaustive research preserved essential Cherokee history, lore, and rituals in a time when such knowledge was dying because younger Cherokees were accepting Western education, commerce, and medicine. The first section of this text covers Cherokee history from the time of DeSoto's search for gold in the 1600s to the late 1800s when the tribal consciousness nearly came to an end. The second section reveals the rich Cherokee mythology, detailing how the earth was made, how all "people" (both two-and four-footed) came about, and how they could all converse with each other. The third section of the book provides 28 sacred formulas from a mass of over 600 prayers, formulas, and songs. These formulas are centered on such things as medicine, hunting, love, finding lost articles, and frightening away storms. Exclusive to this edition, George Ellison's biographical portrait of James Mooney emphasizes the ethnologist's timeliness and his empathy for the Cherokees and their rich heritage. Completing this book are photographs of many of the chiefs and shamans, a glossary of terms, an index, and an immense section on notes and parallels to the Cherokee myths.

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

768 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.

[Ni · 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.