If you spill salt, throw a pinch over your left shoulder so you wont have bad luck. The Ghost Story Guys Brennan Storr Subscribe. Appalachian Granny Magic The Appalachian Granny Magic Tradition of Witchcraft is one that is only recently being heard of. Since settling in the mountains in the 18th and 19th centuries, Appalachian people have developed a unique blend of cultures that has its own way of thinking. Photo by U458625 on Wikimedia. Traditional bluegrass music is still played by old and young acts on community radio stations. According to Cherokee legend, long ago, before the Cherokee moved into the Smokies, there was a race of small, bearded white men who lived in the mountains. Impressed with the owl's wisdom, and levels of seriousness, Athena chooses the owl to be her mascot instead. Consequently, they sought a place where their Protestant beliefs could flourish without interference. The Bell Witch Haunting started when John Bell witnessed the apparition of a strange creature resembling a dog. taught were comforting to early settlers, combating fear and uncertainty in the strange land they suddenly found themselves in. It eventually developed a whispering voice and within a year it could speak. John tried to fire at the animal but it mysteriously disappeared. Appalachian culture is full of its own myths, legends, and ghost stories, many of which were made famous by TV shows such as The X-Files and Mountain Monsters. Some rock structures date way back to the Precambrian and early Paleozoic eras. Legend tells of a brutal battle betweenCherokee and Catawba warriorson Brown Mountain,which left many dead on the battlefield. Born and raised in town, Wamsley was only five years old when the Mothman showed up and began terrorizing his neighbors. Known around the world as Sasquatch or Yeti and locally as Wood Booger or Boojum, Bigfoot is an ape-like creature that conceals itself in the deep, dark forest, leaving behind footprints so large they could not belong to any man. Virgin forests provided plentiful building materials. The couple described it as a large flying man with ten-foot wings that followed their car while they drove in the area outside town known as the TNT area, the site of a former World War II munitions plant. She hid under the pelt of a large cat and got turned into the half-woman, half-beast we hear about in this famous Appalachian myth. The Bigfoot tales were told by many of the indigenous tribes of the Appalachian Trail where they claimed that mysterious hair-covered creatures lived in forests. Waves of immigrant workers from places like Italy, Mexico, Germany and Eastern Europe sought work. These settlers were awed by the dense hardwood forests teeming with game, and the fresh, sparkling rivers filled with fish. ticking insect in the wall of a house that meant death in the family. Therefore, if you find yourself in such places, listen closely for unique words and sayings like: Traveling the Strange South Through Storytelling, But Appalachian ghost stories serve as vessels of mountain folklore, culture, and values stretching back generations. Author (s): Sivinski, Stacy, editor. When John Bell died on December 20, 1980, Kate took credit, insisting she had poisoned him because he was a bad man. Open the window when someone dies and cover the mirrors so that their soul can leave. The Bell Witch (who is thought to be a woman named Kate Batts) was supposedly cheated in a land purchase by John Bell, the patriarch of the Bell family. READ MORE:30 Fascinating Blue Ridge Mountains Facts, READ MORE: The 15 Best Fall Festivals in Georgia. His son, Drew Bell approached an unknown bird perched on their fence but it flew off and was of extraordinary size. The newspaper named the mysterious creature the Wampus Cat, and the name stuck. Mostly just considering the fairies or 'Fair Folk'. As the legend goes, the Moon-Eyed People eventually abandoned their homeor were driven from itand traveled west, never to be seen again. It makes it more than just your standard folktale.. Chase did acknowledge that new Jack tales were surfacing in other parts of Appalachia, specifically in . You stand frozen in place, eyes locked to that shadowy spot in the woods, waiting for the animal to move. Inside, the women would dye clothes with berries and bark gathered from the forest. Footnote 7 Other well-known traditions that claim fairy affiliation include R.J. Stewart's Faery Tradition, largely based on Scottish folklore, and its American offshoot, Orion Foxwood's Faery Teachings, supposedly based on Appalachian folklore; Morgan Daimler's Fairy Witchcraft, based on Irish folklore and literature; and the Radical . Locals and tourists alike have reported glowing, orb-like lights in blue, white, orange, and red, hovering approximately 15 feet off the ground in the Brown Mountain area near Morganton NC. Now, this could just be me but I am pretty sure . Homer relates a story in which Athena gets fed up with the crow, who is a total prankster.She banishes the crow as her sidekick and instead seeks out a new companion. Appalachia is an ancient land one of the oldest mountain systems on Earth. Clannish and fiercely independent, these settlers had rebelled against restrictive laws back home. The Wendigo. To do this we use the anonymous data provided by cookies. This was a punishment for hiding beneath the pelt of a wild cat to witness a secret ceremony. The tale of Bigfoot has been traced back to the European Wild Man, a mythical figure that had hair all over his body and lived like a beast. Photo by Tim Bertelink on Wikimedia. A book by Benjamin Smith Barton of 1797 explained that they were called moon-eyed because they could not see properly during the day. And in August 2016, local TV station WLOS reported that scientists from Appalachian State University believed to have captured images of the Brown Mountain Lights on two digital video cameras. March 22 | 2022. Why are Appalachian ghost stories so deep-rooted in mountain culture and folklore? The Mothman is a humanoid creature that was reportedly seen in the Point Pleasant area from November 15th 1966 to December 15th 1967 as per the West Virginia folklore. Some thought they did it for money, but the Bell family never charged a cent to anyone staying over in their home., Though Fitzhugh has considered many theories, he says he cant say one way or another what the Bell Witch truly was. An older ghost story stated about a woman and a baby who was murdered in the Jonas Ridge community which was used to incorporate the source of the lights. Scottish Folklore Tough 11. The name was also used for a mythical creature in J.K. Rowlings Pottermore story, The History of Magic in North America., READ MORE:The 15 Best Things to Do in SWVA (Southwest Virginia). Formed roughly 480 million years ago, the mountains are over five times as old as the taller, more rugged Rocky Mountains. And count, Ambrose Bierce Short Stories: A Tormented Journey. Like an older farmer still plowing his steep fields with a team of horses, or story swapping in mercantile stores. While the backbone of the system, the Blue Ridge, stretches from Georgia north to Pennsylvania. Native American tribes in Appalachia had their own unique cultures and oral folk traditions. Additionally, Appalachias abundance of coal became crucial to post-Civil War industrialization. The Cherokee legend stated that the monster is the cat-like embodiment of a female onlooker cursed by tribal elders. A mining settlement in Appalachia is described as being unfit for pigs to live in, Welsh weavers make cloth for enslaved people, a monster is defeated by a medicine-girl, a Welsh criminal marries an "Indian Princess," Lakota men who witnessed Wounded Knee re-enact the massacre in Cardiff, and . According to the Prose Edda, there are two types of elves - light and dark. John Bell grew so concerned by these violent escalations that he shared his story with a family friend, James Johnston. The Fair Folk. Appalachian folk tales are rooted in English, Scottish, and Irish fairy tales, as well as regional heroic figures and events. Their eyes were supposedly so sensitive to the sun that they remained nocturnal, which is why theyre called moon-eyed.. Smith of Gate City, Virginia, is co-founder of the Blue Ridge Monsters and Legends Facebook Group where members come to share their stories of unexplained encounters with the hairy bi-pedal. However, Granny Women didn't view their work as magic, but as healing arts. . but none of these tales were taken seriously and were mostly seen as folklore or superstition. People have written down and passed through the generations accounts of what this thing allegedly said, says Fitzhugh. Today, tourists come from all over the country to visit the home of the Flatwoods Monster. The Fae Folk, also known as the Good Folk or fairies/faeries, come from the Otherworld. According to author Julia Montgomery Street, whose tale of this mysterious race is displayed in the Cherokee County Historical Museum, the men possessed all the land from the Little Tennessee River to Kentucky, with a line of fortification from one end of their domain to the other. The men, who lived in rounded log cabins, had large blue eyes and fair white skin and were sun-blind during the day, emerging from their homes only at night to hunt, fish, wage war and build their fortifications. But Appalachian ghost stories like The Town Without Death didnt flinch from the inevitability of death. Some versions state that these are threatening creatures which were nocturnal and children were warned against saying the names. mixed with the indigenous belief in the "Little People" called "Yunwi Tsunsdi" in Cherokee, and . And between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland, a hilly region called the Ridge and Valleystretches from central Alabama up to New York State. Some believe the moon-eyed people built the fortifications on this mountain., Artists impression of the Mothman. The fairy folk, leprechauns, and other . Stories, quotes and anecdotes from Appalachia. With fresh memories of the horrors of war, Appalachian storytellers spun ghost stories of eternally damned and suffering soldiers from both sides, their cries heard in the darkness of devastated mountain battlefields. However, early Appalachian settlers included Native Americans, newly arrived European whites and Africans, all living in close proximity. Some call it " Backwoods Magic ". Maybe youve even sped up on a mountain road at night, thinking you see glowing red eyes in the woods? In Georgia, the stories of the, Many ghost stories and legends have their origins in real life hardship and tragedy. But Native American life changed dramatically with the arrival of European settlers. Words were mispronounced, and phrases and sentences were rearranged. All are located off NC-105 S or NC-181 near Asheville and Boone, and offer great scenic vistas at any time of day. "Appalachian folklore" usually conjures images of mountain cabins, sounds of plucky melodies, and the misty taste of moonshine among a slew of other popular representations of the region. Appalachia today is often thought of as three regions: Northern, Central, and Southern (see map above). Smith says that one cold November night he was riding his bike home after dark when he heard a friend run up behind him. He was out of breath and anxious, remembers Smith. In the late days of summer, 1952, two brothers named Edward and Fred May of Flatwoods, West Virginia, rushed home to tell their mother, Cathleen May, that theyd seen something unexplainable. As he rode past the grapevines, he heard something moving through the brush behind him. Southern Folklore . In Southern Appalachia, the most prominent group of Native peoples was the Cherokee Nation. If you give them to newlyweds, it will cut their love. Skip to content. They grew fruit trees, and gourds to make containers. Reportedly, some claimed to have seen the Mothman at the bridge shortly before its collapse and believed its presence was a harbinger of doom. While the Silver Bridge that connected Point Pleasant to Gallipolis, Ohio was teeming with rush-hour traffic, the bridge collapsed, killing 46 people. Many lives were lost. Additional projects are expected and will be added as appropriate. split among regions, towns, and even within families. Stretching from Alabama andNorth Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian mountain range was formed millions of years ago before being settled by Native Americans and, later, Scots-Irish, English, German, and Polish immigrants. There Are Fairies At The Bottom Of My Garden Average Of course, physical and cultural isolation kept many of these Appalachian folklore . Indeed, millions of years of erosion h, whittled down massive peaks some believe were, Today, heavily forested mountains, valleys, high ridges, and wide, dissected plateaus make up the system. Appalachia today is often thought of as three regions: Northern, Central, and Southern (, , the history, culture, and folklore across these regions are in many ways similar. Often taking the form of, (folktales told about a particular person or pla, human character encountering something supernatural. Strangeways Brewing, which has locations in Richmond and Fredericksburg, Virginia brews a beer named after the Wampus Cat, the Wampus Cat Triple IPA. When the creature hissed at them, they fled. Appalachian folks blended ancient Celtic rituals from Scotland and Ireland, Protestant Christianity, and African traditions with teaching from local Native Americans into a unique mixture of witchcraft, religion, and earth magic. The Granny Women used a combination of herbs, faith and magic. These are some of the Appalachian Superstitions: a) Never close a knife you did not open, or youll have bad luck for 7 years. Meanwhile, the men hunted the woods for beasties (wild animals) with the help of their loyal dogs, often described as part hound, part cur (or fierce breed of dog). The practices of river baptisms, snake handling, and folk healing were common in rural Appalachia. As a result, the mortality rate soared. Little sanitation, children without shoes or fresh clothes, and large families crammed into dirty, one-room shacks were common sights. Your baby has to fall off the bed before their first birthday. For instance, settlers would share tales of Scottish haints and Irish fairies, then adapt them into Appalachian stories over generations. First, Spanish and French explorers pushed into Appalachia as early as the 1500s. W. was originally brought over by enslaved Africans. It . Old English, Scottish, Irish, and German (see: the Brothers Grimm) fairy tales came from Europe. Photo by BRad06 on Wikimedia. One common misconception is that all Appalachians were against slavery. It liked to argue religion and make fun of people, except for Mrs. Bell. Heritage, Mythology, Folklore, the Tuatha D Danann, Fairy Faith, Irish or Celtic Paganism. The rich history and culture of the region is also home to many supernatural tales and folklore that stem from a culture that for many years was geographically isolated from . Many of these mountain folklore sayings were passed down by my great-grandparents, but still live on a century later. Some people even believe these mysterious nocturnal people were responsible for the pre-Columbian ruins found in the area. They brought with them colorful, Elizabethan era words and phrases one can find in the works of Shakespeare. By telling these ghost stories, through mediums known and not yet known, the elder voices of Appalachia live on. The 25+ Best Western NC Christmas Events in Asheville, Bryson City & Beyond! It is a flesh-eating beast that is considered most active during the . Some Cherokees even joined forces with the U.S. against pro-British tribes during the War of 1812. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, to Cheaha Mountain in Alabama, Appalachia typically refers only to the cultural region of the . Appalachian folk magic was also known as Granny Magic in honor of the Granny Women who served as the caregivers to their communities. Some Appalachian farmers now struggled to grow crops. And countless mountain churches dot the hillsides. Folklore: Beliefs, traditions & culture of the people. READ MORE: The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina. Legends say that fairies went into hiding to avoid the humans who invaded their lands. The Appalachian Mountains stretch from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador to northern Alabama and Georgia. Today, exhibits on the Moon-Eyed People can be found at the Cherokee County Historical Museum in Murphy. Fiddlers, accompanied by banjo and dulcimer, would play humorous and plaintive ballads reminding the settlers of their homelands. Appalachia saw its share, . Therefore, many ghost stories, songs, superstitions, and folk remedies considered "Appalachian folklore" can actually be traced back to places like Scotland or Ireland. anything this strange has multiple legends associated with its origin. The City of Morganton, North Carolina even recently helped to improve the Brown Mountain Overlook on North Carolina Highway 181 for the purpose of attracting curious visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the ghost lights. most prominent group of Native peoples was the Cherokee Nation, narrative folksongs of local legends, fairy tales, and ghost stories, Boogers, Witches and Haints: Appalachian Ghost Stories, Louisiana Cajun Folklore Superstitions and Spells, child small enough to be carried in someones arms. For example, y'all may all see a photo of a Cool Whip container and think, "Oh, that's a topping for my dessert!" And that's totally fine, and valid. But show a Southerner a photo of a Cool Whip container and we immediately think, "Oh . Introduction to Folklore offers theories of folklore studies and core related concepts such as narrative, context, performance, and folklore genres. Made famous by a 1997 episode ofThe X-Files and the 2002 film The Mothman Prophecies, the Mothman is a fearsome creature with broad wings and red eyes who originated in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. If youre lucky enough to hear an Appalachian storyteller tell a ghost story in traditional Appalachian dialect, it may take you by surprise. In some cases, the fairies literally went underground, making their homes in caves, burrows, and underwater fortresses. But what makes the legend so shocking is that it dates back hundreds of years before Christopher Columbus discovered America. Nothing grows on this earth in vain. Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. In 1964, a hairy ape-man (who sounds suspiciously like Bigfoot) was reported to be roaming around US 70. One such account came from volunteer firefighters Captain Paul Yoder and Benjamin Enochs. Migrating from the low valleys into the creek branches, sub-valleys, and steep hillsides, families toiled on rocky terrain not ideal for farming. Popular Native American folklore says that a bloody battle between the Cherokee and Catawba tribes took place on the mountain. For over a year, the Bells remained silent about the strange events taking place in their home, worried about what the members of their church might think. Series: Imprint: University of Tennessee Press. While midwives helped deliver babies in the remote hollows. Such Old World traditions are sometimes known as Appalachian Granny Magic.. Today, on the main road into town, there is a sign that reads Welcome to Flatwoods: Home of the Green Monster. The UFO sightingor whatever that wasis in the past but not forgotten. John and Lucy Bell were farmers who settled in Adams, Tennessee around 1803. Mason County Sheriff George Johnson believed it to be a large bird, because the stories fit the description of a Sandhill Crane, which has a red forehead and wingspans recorded up to 7 feet, 7 inches. Some of the oldest fairy tales on record (dating as far back as 3500 BCE), written in Sanskrit, are about craftsmen making bargains with demonic creatures in exchange for superlative skill. If a black cat crosses your path, turn and go a different way. (Fans of Appalachian folklore and ghost stories should read Foxfires story collection Boogers, Witches and Haints: Appalachian Ghost Stories, told by older mountain residents.). Though the tradition is a very old one, dating all the way back to the first settlers of the magical Appalachian Mountains who came over from Scotland and Ireland in the 1700's. . The main theme of this course is to . She kept herself too pure for the devil to . Appalachian culture is known for superstitions and legends like these. Appalachian History. With endless miles of mysterious, dense forest surrounding your small homestead. In the early 1900s, the lumber and coal industries made inroads into Appalachia. g) Dont do any canning or gardening during your period. . Most original settlers were immigrants from the English Isles. Eat black eyed peas or collard greens with hog jaw on New Years Day. After the lumber centers in the Mississippi and Louisiana flatlands had been fully slashed and burned, lumber companies exploited Appalachias hardwood forests. Consequently. Wear a buckeye in your bra to ward off rheumatism. One reason is because they are standing, not sitting or kneeling. Where Are The Appalachian Mountains Located? The Appalachian Mountains hide not only mysterious creatures, phantoms, and underground bases, but also anthropological mysteries as well. Having to decide whether its real or fake takes all the fun out of it.. The legends said these people could not see well in the sun and so they came out at night, leading to the name of "moon-eyed people". Both enslaved and free Africans played major roles in defining Appalachian folklore and culture (see Affrilachia). In the early 1900s, the lumber and coal industries made inroads into Appalachia. Many believe it is a depiction of the Moon-Eyed People. Reports of UFOs and suspicious men in black began streaming in to the Point Pleasant authorities. It is very violent, exceedingly strong, alert, and fast. 'Life is old there, older than the trees; younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze.'. ~Nicholas Culpeper, 1640 Folk medicine is a tradition of treating sickness by herbs, ethnic foods, Cocoa Gravy Deep within the hollows, the settlers staked their claims. Over the following year, the oddities continued. Intermarriage between Africans and other ethnic groups further diversified Appalachian folklore and culture. But mountain dances were the most popular gathering spots, frequently called play parties if the local church didnt approve of dancing. 1880s-1950s era. 3,660 listeners. The Virginia and Tennessee valleys were major battle sites. The origin of the fairy stones of Appalachia! The Folklore Podcast. Chance McCoy is a musician deeply rooted in traditional Appalachian and southern music. Skeptics accused the Bell family of doing it by knowing how to act and using ventriloquism. Hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 11, the foliage stands well when cut and used in floral arrangements. Indeed, some social workers risked their lives braving rough mountain roads, swollen streams, and treacherous bridges to reach these isolated families. Over the following week, there were at least 8 more reported sightings in and around Point Pleasant of a man-like bird with large wings. Behavior and Characteristics: This creature has a loud "war cry.". 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