The Cherokee creation legend offers a rich and evocative narrative of the world’s genesis, painting a vivid picture of its origins, its inhabitants, and the forces that govern its existence. It is a story steeped in symbolism, reflecting the Cherokee people’s deep connection to nature and their understanding of the cosmos. This article delves into the details of this captivating legend, exploring its key elements and providing insights into its cultural significance.
The legend begins with a primordial state of existence, an endless expanse of water. In this watery void, the earth was conceived not as a solid, fixed entity, but as a vast, floating island. This island, suspended in a sea of water, is held in place by four strong cords that descend from the sky, one at each of its cardinal corners. The sky itself is envisioned as a solid vault of rock, a firmament that separates the earthly realm from the mysteries beyond. This imagery immediately establishes a sense of vulnerability and impermanence. The Cherokee believed that the world, as they knew it, was not eternal. It was subject to the forces of time and decay, and its ultimate fate was intertwined with the strength of these celestial cords. The legend foretells a cataclysmic event in the distant future: when the world grows old and worn, the cords will eventually break, causing the island earth to sink back into the surrounding ocean. This apocalyptic vision suggests a cyclical view of existence, where creation is followed by destruction, and perhaps, eventually, a new beginning. The fear of this event was a powerful motivator in the lives of the Cherokee people, influencing their actions and shaping their spiritual beliefs.
Before the creation of the earth as we know it, all the animals resided in Galun’lati, a realm located above the stone arch of the sky. This celestial dwelling place, though a sanctuary, was becoming increasingly crowded, fueling a desire for expansion and exploration. The animals yearned for more space and began to contemplate what lay beneath the vast expanse of water. It was Water Beetle, the grandchild of Beaver, who bravely volunteered to investigate. Water Beetle, small but courageous, darted across the water’s surface, searching for a place to rest, but found no solid ground. Undeterred, the Water Beetle dove deep into the watery abyss, eventually reaching the bottom. There, it gathered a small amount of soft mud and carried it back to the surface. This mud began to expand and spread in all directions, gradually forming the island that would become the earth.
Following the creation of the earth, it was secured to the sky with four cords, although the legend does not specify who performed this crucial task. Initially, the newly formed earth was flat, soft, and saturated with water, making it uninhabitable. The animals, eager to descend from Galun’lati, sent forth various birds to assess the earth’s readiness. However, the birds could find no dry land on which to alight and returned to their celestial home.
Finally, the animals decided to send Buzzard, the Great Buzzard and father of all buzzards, to prepare the earth for their arrival. Buzzard flew low across the land, but it was still soft and pliable. As he flew over what is now the Cherokee country, he became exhausted. His wings began to flap and strike the ground, creating valleys where they struck and mountains where they turned upwards. Alarmed by the prospect of a world entirely composed of mountains, the animals recalled Buzzard before he could complete his task. This explains why the Cherokee country is characterized by its rugged, mountainous terrain.
Once the earth had sufficiently dried, the animals descended from Galun’lati. However, the world was still shrouded in darkness. To remedy this, they brought forth the sun and set it on a path to travel across the island from east to west, directly overhead. This initial position proved to be too close to the earth, causing excessive heat. The Red Crawfish, for example, had its shell scorched a bright red, rendering its meat inedible. This is why the Cherokee traditionally abstain from eating crawfish.
To alleviate the intense heat, the medicine men, possessing profound knowledge and spiritual power, raised the sun incrementally, a handsbreadth at a time. After several attempts, they elevated the sun to its optimal position, seven handsbreadths above the earth, just beneath the arch of the sky. This elevation proved to be ideal, providing sufficient light and warmth without scorching the earth. The medicine men referred to this elevated position as "the seventh height." According to the legend, the sun continues to travel along this path each day, moving beneath the sky arch and returning to its starting point during the night, traveling above the arch.
The Cherokee creation legend further describes the existence of another world beneath the earth, a mirror image of our own. This underworld is inhabited by the same animals, plants, and people, but experiences seasons that are opposite to those on the surface. The streams that flow down from the mountains serve as pathways to this subterranean realm, with the springs at their source acting as doorways. To access this underworld, one must undergo a period of fasting and purification, and then seek guidance from one of the underground people. The differing temperatures of the spring water – warmer in winter and cooler in summer – are cited as evidence of the contrasting seasons in the underworld.
The legend also addresses the origins of plants and animals, although it does not explicitly name their creator. When the first plants and animals were created, they were instructed to remain awake for seven consecutive nights. This trial was intended to bestow special powers upon those who succeeded. The first night, nearly all the animals stayed awake. However, as the nights progressed, more and more animals succumbed to sleep. By the seventh night, only the owl, the panther, and a few others remained awake. As a reward for their perseverance, these animals were granted the ability to see in the dark, to move freely at night, and to prey on the animals that slept.
Similarly, some trees also fell asleep during the seven-night vigil. Only the cedar, pine, spruce, holly, and laurel remained awake throughout the entire period. Consequently, these trees were granted the gift of evergreen foliage, remaining green throughout the year. They were also designated as sacred trees. The other trees, which had failed to stay awake, were condemned to lose their leaves each winter.
Finally, the legend recounts the arrival of humans on earth. Initially, there was only one man and one woman. The man struck the woman with a fish, and after seven days, a child was born. This marked the beginning of human propagation. The population grew so rapidly that the earth seemed unable to sustain them all.
In conclusion, the Cherokee creation legend is more than just a story of origins; it is a comprehensive worldview that encompasses cosmology, spirituality, and the relationship between humans and nature. It offers a glimpse into the beliefs and values of the Cherokee people, highlighting their reverence for the natural world, their understanding of cyclical time, and their deep-seated fear of cosmic upheaval. The legend continues to resonate with the Cherokee people today, serving as a source of cultural identity and a reminder of their connection to the land and their ancestors. The Cherokee creation legend is a testament to the power of storytelling to shape beliefs, preserve traditions, and transmit cultural knowledge across generations.