Customer Reviews

James Mooney's History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This incredible volume collects together the works of the early anthropologist James Mooney who did work amongst the Eastern Cherokee Nation (those who remained in Appalachia) at the turn of the century. The introduction is done by a biographer of Mooney's and gives a nice overview of both Mooney and the Cherokee Nation, as well as notes on Mooney's sources. It then goes straight into the first book "Myths of the Cherokee", which starts with a history of the Cherokee Nation. It goes from the earliest days, through de Soto, the Indian wars, Tecumseh, the Trail of Tears, the Civil War and ultimately up to about 1900. It then goes on to explore Cherokee mythology and storytellers. This book is truely monumental in its scope and covers origin myths, animal stories, Kanati and Selu, the Nunnehi and Yunwi'Tsundi (little people), Tlanuwa (thunderbirds), Uktena (horned water snake), interactions with other Nations and numerous other myths, as well as local legends from various parts of the Southeast (North Carolina, Tenesse, Georgia, etc). There is also a section of herbal lore as well. Mooney closes it out with a glossary of Cherokee terms (in the Latin alphabet rather than the Sequoya Syllabery) and abundant notes.

We then go to the next book, Sacred Formulaes of the Cherokee, which covers a number of magical texts amongst the Cherokee Nation. This book does a wonderful job talking about such manuals, mentioning how they were obtaine, going into depth about the Cherokee worldview and beliefs on magic, concepts of disease, healing ceremonies, practices such as bleeding, rubbing and bathing, Shamanism, the use of wording, explanations of the formulae and so forth. It then goes on to give an amazingly varied collection of Cherokee formulae, first in the original Cherokee (again, in the Latin alphabet) and then translated into English. Everything from healing to killing witches to medicine for stick ball games and war. Both books include numerous photographs and illustrations of famous historical figures, Cherokee manuscripts and petroglyphs and a map of Cherokee lands. Again, this is a truely massive book and even today is considered one of the essential writings of Cherokee religion. Anyone with an interest in the subject, whether anthropologist, descendant of the Cherokee or just curious person interested in Native culture, should definately give this book a read. I highly recommend it.

This is the ideal book for anyone doing research into Cherokee. Spirituality, rituals, history and much more is covered in this text. The only down side is it was written many years ago and does not flow as modern books do, it in itself is a piece of history. Well worth your money, especially before buying any of the "new age" Cherokee books.

This is the seminal work on Cherokee culture and history. Anyone who wants to know about Cherokee culture should start with this book. James Mooney has preserved the myths, legends, and history of the Cherokees in a book that is of immense importance to future generations. Included in this book is a detailed history (up to about 1900) of the Cherokee tribe, medico-religious texts, and myths. This book is the basic source for Cherokee studies.

There is nothing else quite like this book. The author lived with the Eastern Cherokee (in the 1800s) and documented their stories, history, myths and medicine, (And much more). Source material from this time period like this is rare. A must read for those interested in this material!

A must have book if you are researching Cherokee history

While my ancestry is Chickasaw, these tales are very closely related to the ones I learned as a child. They are a window into the spirits of a great people from whom much can be learned.

I read this book after reading a series of fiction books by Tom Dietz who based alot of the mythology in the books on this book. The book was fantastic both in uncovering history that would never be taught today or even referred to; and in getting someone in touch with what and how The People lived. I have a larger appreciation for simple things like perhaps why pine trees are green all year .. as well as why the Trail of Tears is something that isn't discussed in schools much anymore.

If you like reading for the sake of learning and enjoying I recommend this book.

This book is truly a must-own. It is the best reference around for Cherokee myths, culture, history and more.

From a perspective previous to some of our current stereoptypical thinking about native Americans. Rich in historical detail and (to me) surprising details about the Cherokee.
I particularly enjoyed the Cherokee mythology.
My thinking about native Americans is changed.

Should be required reading in all American History classes. James Mooney, the author, was an anthropologist before it was a profession. He lived for many years during the 1800s with Cherokee tribes in areas that now comprise sections of Kentucky, North and South Carolina and Georgia. This book includes The Sacred Forumlas of the Cherokees plus Myths of the Cherokee both written by Mooney and respectively published during 1891 and 1900 by the Bureau of American Ethnology. But it also includes a wealth of information about battles between various native american tribes and the rape and plunder of the Cherokee territories by white men from Europe. Plus it details the cultural rape of Cherokees by religious fantatics posing as Christian missionaries.

The United States of America has never been a democracy and the rape of native american tribes is living proof. Mooney provides a new dimension of knowledge which is not only invaluable when studying the Cherokee but also the history of the United States of American. We should embrace rather than reject native americans. They are the foundation of America rather than the 17th and 18th-century immigrants from England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Europe.

Mooney provides a wealth of information about the names of places long before ignorant immigrants bastardized the Cherokee phrases. This is Cherokee history rather than revisionist history from white people "educated" at Ivy League schools. If you want real history read this book.