Whatever they heard or saw in the dark woods probably found their way into ghost stories told around the fireplace at night. Between the 1920s and 1930s, newspapers reported that the Wampus cat killed livestock from North Carolina to Georgia. On 15th December 1967, the collapse of the Silver Bridge and the death of 46 people were connected to the Mothman sightings of the bridge collapse. Another record state that the spirit was clairvoyant and capable of crossing long distances with superhuman speed and capable of being in more than one place at a time. Bad Faeries Tough 9. Many of these mountain folklore sayings were passed down by my great-grandparents, but still live on a century later. Some former working-class towns have become quaint shopping and entertainment districts. Their car suddenly stopped and wouldn't start again. Or you happen to catch something out of the corner of your eye and you swear its a ghost. It . Today you can celebrate this mythical Appalachian monster at the Bigfoot Festival in Marion NC. The bright light made them weak, forcing them to flee into other parts of Appalachia for good. When John Bell died on December 20, 1980, Kate took credit, insisting she had poisoned him because he was a bad man. Yet, it also means so much more. Prior to the 20th century, Bigfoot was known by names like Sasquatch (a Salish word meaning wild-men) or Yeti (in Himalayan folklore). Though scientists have not been able to determine what causes the lights, ball lightning and naturally occurring mountain gases are two widely accepted theories. Wampus Cat. Its not surprising that a 480-million-year-old mountain range would inspire legends of unexplained animals darting through the darkened forest or strange and ghostly apparitions appearing in the night sky. It liked to argue religion and make fun of people, except for Mrs. Bell. Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. Children were sometimes captured and forced to serve as lookouts on mountain ridges. Appalachian Remedies . Appalachia was strategically important to both Union and Confederate armies because of its mines, saltworks, rivers, and railroads. Other people liked the wampus cat as a creature of Cherokee mythology. In fact, some early European settlers owned slaves, and the Cherokees held the most slaves of any Native peoples especially among the elite plantation owners in Southern Appalachia. direct from the Irish Pagan School HQ in County Waterford, Ireland. . The Appalachian Mountains stretch from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador to northern Alabama and Georgia. 09 Jan 2023 23:26:24 Appalachia is an ancient land one of the oldest mountain systems on Earth. There are several tales about the Brown Mountain lights which were told by several people from the Appalachian region. One man, claiming he had knowledge of how to deal with witches, boasted that his silver bullets were keeping the witch at bay. A look at the history of the Appalachian region, one story at a time. When the archaeologists came and looked at [the statue] they said theyd never seen anything to compare it to, says Stalcup. We walk around the corner and there's an old cabin. All are located off NC-105 S or NC-181 near Asheville and Boone, and offer great scenic vistas at any time of day. Many claim that the lights seen today are the spirits of the Catawba women, still searching for their loved ones. The Appalachian Folklife Archive at Radford University is a collection of around 650 field collection projects compiled and submitted by undergraduate folklore students from 1981 through November 2020 and by graduate folklore and folk culture students between 1987 and 2009. Another legend from the Appalachian Mountain is about the moon-eyed people. Hence, these social workers brought what became the first wave of modernization to the hills. Great Legends Average 6. These stories varied in their details both regionally and between families living in the same community. The Moon-Eyed People. Clannish and fiercely independent, these settlers had rebelled against restrictive laws back home. With endless miles of mysterious, dense forest surrounding your small homestead. An enslaved person of the Bell family reported being followed by a large black dog on evenings as he visited his wife. But these loggers and miners found themselves working extremely long hours, with the constant threat of accidents, dismemberment, and death. These fairy tales, combined with regional events, also shaped Appalachian folklore. Your psyche has a tendency to get away from you, says Rivers. became crucial to post-Civil War industrialization. split among regions, towns, and even within families. Of course, physical and cultural isolation kept many of these Appalachian folklore . But mountain dances were the most popular gathering spots, frequently called play parties if the local church didnt approve of dancing. Indeed, some social workers risked their lives braving rough mountain roads, swollen streams, and treacherous bridges to reach these isolated families. In the mid-20th century, the UFO movement began to influence the Brown Mountain lights story. k) Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. They lived peacefully on their land until 1817, when the family began experiencing odd and unexplainable occurrences in their home. It's not surprising that a 480-million-year-old mountain range would inspire legends of unexplained animals darting through the darkened forest or strange and ghostly apparitions appearing in the night sky.. For generations, myths and superstitions have been passed . Early 20th-century social workers were stunned by the living conditions they found in some areas. In Southern Appalachia, the, But Native American life changed dramatically with the arrival of European settlers. Southern Folklore . Publication Date: 2022-12-13. Artists impression of the Flatwoods monster. 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. Needless to say, I made a hasty departure home.. Wanda Stalcup is the Director of the Cherokee County Historical Museum in Murphy, N.C. Consequently, they sought a place where their Protestant beliefs could flourish without interference. Theres not a consensus, on what happened in Flatwoods that evening, says Smith. Fiddlers, accompanied by banjo and dulcimer, would play humorous and plaintive ballads reminding the settlers of their homelands. Folklore: Beliefs, traditions & culture of the people. After John Bells mysterious death in 1820, the Bell Witch continued to haunt his family. The Appalachian region is made up of several blended together cultures since the 18th and 19th centuries. (ghosts or evil spirits) have been told for generations in Appalachian communities. This course critically explores the enduring symbols of culture, migration labor, religion, and environment of the region . Hold your feet up when youre crossing a railroad track, or youll lose your boyfriend. After moving to Knoxville in middle school, her mom slowly introduced her to all things outdoors, including backpacking, hiking, camping, and biking. 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. 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. Forever left to wander alone through the mountains, the Wampus Cat acts out in anger at being cut off from her former life. Heritage, Mythology, Folklore, the Tuatha D Danann, Fairy Faith, Irish or Celtic Paganism. Therefore, many ghost stories, songs, superstitions, and folk remedies considered Appalachian folklore can actually be traced back to places like Scotland or Ireland. This Halloween I decided to share with you some of the scariest . Fairy lore and beliefs has its origin in the folklore and traditions of the Scots-Irish and Irish settlers to the Appalachian Mountains. They are a legendary group of short, bearded white-skinned people who are believed to have lived in the Appalachia region until they were expelled by the Cherokee Indians. Appalachian Folklore, Wives Tales, and Superstitions. Read on to learn more about some of the most famous Appalachian folklore stories and superstitions. Your baby has to fall off the bed before their first birthday. READ MORE: The 10 Most Haunted Places in Georgia to Visit. If you find yourself under one, dont turn around back up. 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. Before long, people all over the east and southeast knew about it, says Fitzhugh. After the lumber centers in the Mississippi and Louisiana flatlands had been fully slashed and burned, lumber companies exploited Appalachias hardwood forests. Some Appalachian farmers now struggled to grow crops. mixed with the indigenous belief in the "Little People" called "Yunwi Tsunsdi" in Cherokee, and . Fairies entered the movement's folklore through literature and are popular because they are thought to preserve elements of ancient Pagan belief and. The hauntings began sometime between 1817 and 1821, when the Bell Witch would show up disguised as an animal, such as a dog or bird. Appalachian Granny Witch Remedies (of course, folks, use your common sense, and see a doctor when needed!) We examine major genres of folklore such as oral traditions, material culture, and customary traditions. As a result, the shameful Trail of Tears removal of 1838, nearly eradicated Cherokee culture from Appalachia. The Bell Witch Haunting started when John Bell witnessed the apparition of a strange creature resembling a dog. Cooking took place in large stone fireplaces. Currently residing in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Amy is an English teacher and soccer coach who grew up in the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains are some of the oldest mountains on Earth - and if these mountains and valleys could talk, one can only imagine what stories they could tell! 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. Or held your breath when youre passing a cemetery? Furthermore. Within the Otherworld, there are many different factions, political "parties," and types of fairies and creatures. It eventually developed a whispering voice and within a year it could speak. Owl Myths and Folklore . However, it is believed that this was a meteor that had fallen off the sky and the round object was an owl. New words were created to fit the rugged life these settlers faced. Deep within the hollows, the settlers staked their claims. But Appalachian ghost stories like The Town Without Death didnt flinch from the inevitability of death. Paperback - July 8, 2019. T. The Kentucky Gentleman's. 1 . Smith says that one cold November night he was riding his bike home after dark when he heard a friend run up behind him. Eat black eyed peas or collard greens with hog jaw on New Years Day. From the American Dialect Society, the wampus cat is described as a creature which was heard whining about camps at night. It's a Southern Thing. Other than the folklore of the Appalachian Mountain, there are more shocking superstitions that have been passed down by several generations. Appalachian Coal, Lumber, and Ghost Stories. 1880s-1950s era. By telling these ghost stories, through mediums known and not yet known, the elder voices of Appalachia live on. Additional projects are expected and will be added as appropriate. According to newspaper reports, several of the party fainted and vomited for several hours after returning to town. Later, Mrs. May was quoted as saying that the monster looked worse than Frankenstein., The group turned and ran down the hill, immediately reporting what they saw to the local sheriff. My aunts are from Gatlinburg. These are all things I heard growing up in the northern region of Appalachia and wanted to share with y'all. Appalachian Folklore . Many lives were lost. Status: Active. 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. Some came as curiosity seekers and some as skeptics trying to debunk what the Bells were experiencing. anything this strange has multiple legends associated with its origin. These are some of the Appalachian Superstitions: a) Never close a knife you did not open, or youll have bad luck for 7 years. First, Spanish and French explorers pushed into Appalachia as early as the 1500s. John tried to fire at the animal but it mysteriously disappeared. Fort Mountain, a Georgia State Park near Ellijay GA, contains the ruins of an 850-foot-long stone wall that is said to have been constructed by the mysterious tribe. Since the mid-1800s, thousands of Bigfoot sightings have been reported all over the United States (including dozens of reported sightings in the North Georgia mountains). Hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 11, the foliage stands well when cut and used in floral arrangements. Introduction to Folklore offers theories of folklore studies and core related concepts such as narrative, context, performance, and folklore genres. ". w this character reacts teaches lessons about this societys moral codes. The Wendigo is a creature, sometimes referred to as an evil spirit, that is said to be 15 feet tall with a body that is thin, with skin pulled so tight that its bones are visible. The Stsailes people usually tell stories about Bigfoot that is a shape-shifting creature that protects the forest. Appalachia saw its share of both, especially in the 20th century. The first reported sighting of the Brown Mountain Lights was in 1913 by a fisherman who claimed to see odd red lights dancing above the horizon. She would often focus on Johns daughter Betsy Bell, pulling the sheets off her bed, or even physically harming her with kicks, punches, and scratches. Dont let a pregnant woman see a dead person or the baby will have a birth mark. Whether our collective imaginations are running wild or were really sensing something otherworldly, stories of ghosts, UFOs, terrifying man-sized animals, and other hair-raising tales abound in these Blue Ridge Mountains. Many believe it is a depiction of the Moon-Eyed People. A UFO writer, Gray Barker described the Flatwoods Monster as 10 feet tall, with a round blood-red face, a large pointed hood-like shape around the face, eye-like shapes which emitted greenish-orange light and a dark black or green body. Legends of revenants (beings returned from the dead) or haints (ghosts or evil spirits) have been told for generations in Appalachian communities. The lore and sayings may vary based on location, family tradition, and other factors, but this . There are just some things that are a little different in the South. You have your UFO true believers and skeptics who think it was a misidentified barn owl, Smith explains. Just a big old log cabin in the middle of the woods up in the mountains. Cherokee folklore influenced Appalachian storytelling in the way it dramatically characterized animals or other inanimate objects in nature. Today, tourists come from all over the country to visit the home of the Flatwoods Monster. 2 yr. ago. However, early Appalachian settlers included Native Americans, newly arrived European whites and Africans, all living in close proximity. Thier lives depended on thier gardens producing well . Bigfoot, Brown Mountain Lights, and the Bell Witch. In areas heavily dependent on coal mining, the industrys latter-day decline spelled economic ruin for many families and communities. Some Cherokees even joined forces with the U.S. against pro-British tribes during the War of 1812. Native American tribes in Appalachia had their own unique cultures and oral folk traditions. Many Appalachians just wanted to stay out of the fight altogether and ended up attacked by both sides. Some believe the moon-eyed people built the fortifications on this mountain., Artists impression of the Mothman. Some former working-class towns have become quaint shopping and entertainment districts. The story of the Bell Witch is one of the most popular examples of Appalachian Mountain folklore, and it began in Robertson County, Tennessee. Having to decide whether its real or fake takes all the fun out of it.. Fireflies of all kinds rely on darkness to help carry their . In some cases, the fairies literally went underground, making their homes in caves, burrows, and underwater fortresses. 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. I just dont believe that many people could have made up the same story, says Wamsley, but what it was they saw, I dont believe will ever be truly explained or solved.. If youre walking with someone you have to go on the same side of a post or obstacle, or it will break your friendship. Of course, physical and cultural isolation kept many of these Appalachian folklore traditions alive well into the 20th century. They were so spooked by their experience that they went directly to the police. But Appalachian ghost stories serve as vessels of mountain folklore, culture, and values stretching back generations. A lot of these folklores pertain to gardening. In 1690, French traders slogging through the wilderness of Southern Appalachia came across an odd sight. The Virginia and Tennessee valleys were major battle sites. Rue is a small garden plant with blue-grey foliage, and it is a good foil for other colors. After the lumber centers in the Mississippi and Louisiana flatlands had been fully slashed and burned, lumber companies exploited Appalachias hardwood forests. The Bell Witch. Intermarriage between Africans and other ethnic groups further diversified Appalachian folklore and culture. Appalachian ghost stories about mining accidents. Custom boutique photography for newborns, children, families, seniors, and weddings In 1964, a hairy ape-man (who sounds suspiciously like Bigfoot) was reported to be roaming around US 70. After responses, teacher reveals they are the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains . Bluegrass songs claim that the lights are the ghost of a slave searching for his lost master. The plaque says, These people are said to have been unable to see during certain phases of the moon. 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. This years festival falls on September 17 and 18, 2022. Jerry Crew, a logging company employee, discovered a set of extra-large footprints in Six Rivers National Forest. 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. They used odd assortments of herbs, tonics, and roots to treat everything from typhoid fever to measles. . The soapstone statue is 37-inches tall and weighs 300 pounds. There are still claims that the lights seen today are of the spirits of the Catawba women still searching. Jack tales, which tend to revolve around the exploits of a simple-but-dedicated figure named "Jack," are popular at story-telling festivals. According to both Appalachian folk tales and Cherokee legend, a group of pale-skinned humanoids called the Moon-Eyed People might be hiding somewhere in the Appalachian range. One such account came from volunteer firefighters Captain Paul Yoder and Benjamin Enochs. When they arrived at the site of the lights crash, they saw a pulsing red light and a 10-foot-tall creature with twisted hands and a glowing green face that seemed to levitate off the ground. He was out of breath and anxious, remembers Smith. ticking insect in the wall of a house that meant death in the family. found their way into ghost stories told around the fireplace at night. While midwives helped deliver babies in the remote hollows. However, the modern-day theory has been deemed to have been built on fictional aspects. After John Bells death, things began to return to normal on the Bell farm until Betsy Bell, the Bells youngest daughter, became engaged to a local man named Joshua Gardner. Consequently. It is very violent, exceedingly strong, alert, and fast. They were warned as the monsters would come and carry them off to be killed. READ MORE: The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina. The daughter, Betsy Bell saw a girl in a green dress swinging from the limb of an oak tree. Furthermore, part of the Underground Railroad ran from Tennessee to points north via Appalachia. He said, something is following me. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants . A book by Benjamin Smith Barton of 1797 explained that they were called moon-eyed because they could not see properly during the day. If a black cat crosses your path, turn and go a different way. Here are 50 Best Folklore Podcasts worth listening to in 2023. A folklorist on the Scottish isle of Arran told writer Moyra Doorly that "the fairies left when electricity came." As modern people . slavery. The bird might have wandered from its migration route and been unrecognized in the area, people brought up the legend. . Occasionally, the musicians played, . Open the window when someone dies and cover the mirrors so that their soul can leave. Additionally, Appalachias abundance of coal became crucial to post-Civil War industrialization. At the same time, the rolling green hills reminded them of their homelands in the Scottish Highlands, Ireland, and elsewhere. Some Cherokees even joined forces with the U.S. against pro-British tribes during the War of 1812. Charlie Poole (1892-1931) was a pioneering performer from Appalachia who played the . Staurolite crystals? Belief Hole | Paranormal, Mysteries and Other Tasty Thought Snacks3.1 | Appalachian Magic and Haints in the Holler3000:00:0030. In fact, West Virginia was founded by Virginia mountaineers who didnt agree with Southern secession. Dive deeper at your own risk. Your heart pounds in your chest and you realize, jarringly, that the sounds of the forest have died. Georgia accelerated the forced removal of the Cherokees by the United States government. Deep within the hollows, the settlers staked their claims. The festival features guest speakers, live bands, vendors, cosplay, and even a 5K run. Settler log cabins were often cramped, one-room homes. If cows are laying down, or leaves are upside down, its going to rain. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial & privacy policies. For instance, everyone knew the moon affected planting cycles, the tail of a hound dog attracted lightning, and an, ax placed under the bed of a birthing mother would kill the pain, would come alive with spooky, unknown sounds. The Fair Folk. e) Dont wash clothes on New Years Day or you will wash a family member out. On the contrary, such stories argued that life must be lived to its fullest, no matter the hardships. Although exact boundaries are up for debate, the history, culture, and folklore across these regions are in many ways similar and very different. It is a flesh-eating beast that is considered most active during the . He laughs and tells me it's okay. Indeed, millions of years of erosion have whittled down massive peaks some believe were once taller than the Himalayas and Mount Everest! Dont do any canning or gardening on your period. 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. 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. Both enslaved and free Africans played major roles in defining Appalachian folklore and culture (see Affrilachia). These supernatural creatures or spirits are popular across a wide variety of myths, legends . She even forced Betsy to break off her engagement with Joshua Gardner before eventually disappearing for good. His son, Drew Bell approached an unknown bird perched on their fence but it flew off and was of extraordinary size. The Sasquatch was a hairy creature, known for bellowing, stealing livestock, and shaking trees. Everyone has their own opinion, about the statue, says Stalcup. The Appalachian mountains make for the perfect scene when it comes to any spooky situations. Whatever they heard or saw in the dark woods. To punish him, the witch set her sights on the man, giving him a beating that had Jacksons men begging to leave. But even now, traces of traditional Appalachian culture can be seen. Broadly speaking, Southern Appalachia supported the Confederacy, Northern Appalachia the Union, and Central Appalachia was stuck somewhere in between. 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