Owl Myths and Folklore . Hang a horseshoe upside down to keep good luck from running out. The story of the Mothman began on November 15, 1966. The first recorded sighting of the Brown Mountain Lights happened in 1771, when German engineer John William Gerard de Brahm wrote about seeing the lights in his journal. RT @MorganDaimler: Anyone have recs for Appalachian folklore related to fairies? He was out of breath and anxious, remembers Smith. Smith says that one cold November night he was riding his bike home after dark when he heard a friend run up behind him. 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. Appalachian ghost stories about mining accidents. ~Nicholas Culpeper, 1640 Folk medicine is a tradition of treating sickness by herbs, ethnic foods, Cocoa Gravy Robert L Smith, a wildlife biologist told reporters that the descriptions from the sightings fit the sandhill crane. The national press picked up the story, and Mothman became a sensation. Its no wonder then that many Appalachian ghost stories about mining accidents or mysterious dogs saving miners appeared around this time. Average 12. Why are Appalachian ghost stories so deep-rooted in mountain culture and folklore? A look at the history of the Appalachian region, one story at a time. 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. To many eyewitnesses, the lights appear as glowing orbs that hover in the sky above the mountain before suddenly disappearing or soundlessly exploding. On the contrary, such stories argued that life must be lived to its fullest, no matter the hardships. 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. If youre lucky enough to hear an Appalachian storyteller tell a ghost story in traditional Appalachian dialect, it may take you by surprise. The animalor whatever it isis large and covered in dark fur. While they may not be as widely practiced today, these myths and mountain folklore were passed down by countless generations. Or held your breath when youre passing a cemetery? You have your UFO true believers and skeptics who think it was a misidentified barn owl, Smith explains. Recalling our forgotten history, recording the new. Like an older farmer still plowing his steep fields with a team of horses, or story swapping in mercantile stores. The Wild Man can be found in literature as early as the second century BC. On December 15, 1967, the Mothman was credited for the collapse of Silver Bridge, which killed 46 people. In some cases, the fairies literally went underground, making their homes in caves, burrows, and underwater fortresses. First, Spanish and French explorers pushed into Appalachia as early as the 1500s. If I had to pick one Id say that the most commonly held thought is that the monster is a fun and interesting bit of folklore, says Smith. Children were sometimes captured and forced to serve as lookouts on mountain ridges. In John Denver's re-popularized song 'Take Me Home, Country Roads,' he paints a picture of Appalachia that is hard to forget. It is very violent, exceedingly strong, alert, and fast. Over time it seems this thing, whatever it was, fed off of attention and peoples fears, says Fitzhugh. T. The Ghost Story Guys. 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. While the banjo, a folk instrument long associated with mountain whites, was originally brought over by enslaved Africans. READ MORE: The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina. While the backbone of the system, the Blue Ridge, stretches from Georgia north to Pennsylvania. Its growth is shrub-like, reaching about three feet in height and producing small yellow flowers. After the lumber centers in the Mississippi and Louisiana flatlands had been fully slashed and burned, lumber companies exploited Appalachias hardwood forests. 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. They brought along their even older Irish and . Photo by U458625 on Wikimedia. Leaving behind a culture largely of European descendants and, as latter day research has shown, a growing number of Africans. Some stories claim that she promised to return to haunt John Bells direct descendants in 1935, but there were no reports by Nashville physician Dr. Charles Bailey Bell. On September 12, 1952, Edward May, Freddie May, Neil Nunley, and Tommy Hyer were playing at Flatwoods Elementary when they spotted a light shooting across the sky. Other stories claim the moon-eyed people created the areas pre-Columbian ruins and they disappeared from the area completely without leaving any trace. Your baby has to fall off the bed before their first birthday. Some of these are just that "tales". Because they could only see in the dark, the Cherokee called them the Moon-Eyed People. The Fair Folk. In A Witch's Guide to Faery Folk, Edain McCoy refers to this kind as green elves. While taking a graduate course in Appalachian literature at the University of Tennessee, Stacy . Starvation, poverty and malnutrition were common. Raised in Harpers Ferry, WV he was steeped in the sounds. An episode of the X Files reasons that the lights are caused by UFOs. Reportedly, some claimed to have seen the Mothman at the bridge shortly before its collapse and believed its presence was a harbinger of doom. In fact, West Virginia was founded by Virginia mountaineers who didnt agree with Southern secession. For instance, settlers would share tales of Scottish haints and Irish fairies, then adapt them into Appalachian stories over generations. Clannish and fiercely independent, these settlers had rebelled against restrictive laws b. . Appalachian culture is known for superstitions and legends like these. Unlike other Appalachian monsters, the Moon-Eyed People were considered to be a distinctively separate race of people, rather than supernatural beings. Are these mysteries folklore or fact? 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. Appalachian legends, lore, and superstitions are perhaps the region's most notable cultural gifts to Americana. 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. Its just that your imagination and your emotions can fool you.. In the Appalachian Jack tales, where the English original would feature a king or other noble, the Appalachian Jack tale version would have a sheriff. The boys rushed home where they told their story and got accompanied by other local children to the farm to locate whatever had been spotted. Currently residing in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Amy is an English teacher and soccer coach who grew up in the Appalachian Mountains. This years festival will be held on May 13 & 14, 2022. 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. September 12, 1952, Frametown, WV - a woman relayed to the Civilian Saucer Investigation that her house shook badly and her radio went off at the same time the thing landed. We are always working to improve this website for our users. His words call to mind the misty 'hollers' and breathtaking views . To learn more about this Appalachian scary story, visit the Flatwoods Monster Museum in Sutton WV. 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. When the creature hissed at them, they fled. Occasionally, the musicians played, . As the exodus of young families from the mountains grew, the Appalachian dialect became less prevalent. In the evenings, Catawba women went searching for their sons, husbands, brothers and fathers, using torch lights to guide them. . Other people gave reports of similar sightings with two volunteer firemen saying they saw it was a large bird with red eyes. . We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about theLeave No Traceprinciples ofresponsible environmental stewardship. She even forced Betsy to break off her engagement with Joshua Gardner before eventually disappearing for good. d) Eat black-eyed peas or collard greens with hog jaw on New Years Day. 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. "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. As a result, the Civil War severely scarred the region for generations. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial & privacy policies. Native American tribes in Appalachia had their own unique cultures and oral folk traditions. One can still hear some of the original dialect in more isolated communities. Eat black eyed peas or collard greens with hog jaw on New Years Day. 17-year-old Eugene Lemon, a National Guardsman whod also tagged along on the adventure, said he saw a pulsing light and pointed his flashlight toward it, revealing a pair of bright eyes in a tree and a 10-foot monster with a blood-red face and a green body that seemed to glow. The monster then hissed and floated towards the group, causing Lemon to scream and drop his flashlight. Appalachia is an ancient land one of the oldest mountain systems on Earth. The museum is home to a statue that was found at the confluence of the Valley and Hiwassee Rivers in the early 1800s. Then, ten days before Christmas in 1967, tragedy struck. The Fair Folk, often times referred to as the Little People, in traditional Scot-Irish folklore include leprechauns, sprites, and others. A contactor known as Newell told the Sheriff that he aimed a flashlight on the creature in a nearby field which had big eyes that glowed like bicycle reflectors. Legends say that fairies went into hiding to avoid the humans who invaded their lands. They lived peacefully on their land until 1817, when the family began experiencing odd and unexplainable occurrences in their home. Three days later, two young couples were driving together near an abandoned World War II TNT plant about five miles north of Point Pleasant when they saw a large flying man with 10-foot wings, and eyes that glowed red. They tried to flee the unidentified animal, speeding down the road at a reported 100 miles per hour, but the creature followed them back to Point Pleasant city limits. For example, the eerie mountain mist creeping through areas like the Great Smoky Mountains was of particular significance to them. Common hillbilly stereotypes depict Appalachian culture as poor and white. Fairies in America: Green Elves & Pixies. They brought with them colorful, Elizabethan era words and phrases one can find in the works of Shakespeare. Appalachian culture and folklore helped build community spirit. Therefore, many ghost stories, songs, superstitions, and folk remedies considered "Appalachian folklore" can actually be traced back to places like Scotland or Ireland. My aunts are from Gatlinburg. Raleigh: North Carolina Folklore Society, 1973-. For more information on this infamous Appalachian monster, visit the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, where you can take a selfie with the massive Mothman statue displayed prominently outside. Have you ever stopped yourself before walking under a ladder? Migrating from the low valleys into the creek branches, sub-valleys, and steep hillsides, families toiled on rocky terrain not ideal for farming. 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. Bigfoot, Brown Mountain Lights, and the Bell Witch. 8:30pm - 10:30pm. 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. Some people even believe these mysterious nocturnal people were responsible for the pre-Columbian ruins found in the area. Formed roughly 480 million years ago, the mountains are over five times as old as the taller, more rugged Rocky Mountains. Born and raised in town, Wamsley was only five years old when the Mothman showed up and began terrorizing his neighbors. According to the Gettysburg Times, Yoder and Enochs claimed to have seen a very large bird with large red eyes.. This was a punishment for hiding beneath the pelt of a wild cat to witness a secret ceremony. March 22 | 2022. Theres a 3-foot- tall sculpture of two conjoined figures thought to represent Moon-Eyed People,which was found in the early 1840s. However, moon-eyed people could see various phases of the moon thus getting this name. Impressed with the owl's wisdom, and levels of seriousness, Athena chooses the owl to be her mascot instead. Appalachian Coal, Lumber, and Ghost Stories. While in-between chores, they would knit quilts on their looms, using elaborate patterns with unique names like nine-patch, double-wedding ring and dove-in-the-window.. At the same time, many Appalachian natives proud of their heritage especially younger students sought to redefine and preserve Appalachian folklore and tradition. Many claim that the lights seen today are the spirits of the Catawba women, still searching for their loved ones. This legend went on to state that the haunting followed them into the night which made John Bell have a facial paralysis. Appalachian Folklore, Culture, and Language 5 Time Procedures 1-2 Setting: Computer Lab minutes Introduction Teacher pulls up the map of the United States on the board and asks students if they know the two major mountain ranges in the United States. Other stories involve wild animals. Appalachia saw its share of both, especially in the 20th century. 'Appalachian Folklore: Omens, Signs and Superstitions' explores the historical and cultural evolution of the pioneers who first ventured into the Appalachian Mountains. Other stories involve wild animals, such as hunting tales. 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. The plaque says, These people are said to have been unable to see during certain phases of the moon. Appalachian Granny Witch Remedies (of course, folks, use your common sense, and see a doctor when needed!) The lights, claim the legend, are the ghosts of grieving women still searching the mountainside for the bodies of fallen warriors. 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. Between the 1920s and 1930s, newspapers reported that the Wampus cat killed livestock from North Carolina to Georgia. John tried to fire at the animal but it mysteriously disappeared. 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. Imagine youre deep in the woods when you spot a sudden movement through the trees. Folklore Appalachia - Clay County Kentucky And be willing to hike a little while in the dark! Some of these legends existed way long before the contemporary stories of Bigfoot. . What was found was gathered and sent to Washington D.C. and never seen again.. It . The moonlight was shining through its hair. For generations, myths and superstitions have been passed down through the oral traditions of native tribes and early settlers, gaining a foothold in our Appalachian culture. Subsequently, how this character reacts teaches lessons about this societys moral codes. Subsequently, famous Appalachian ghost stories like the Brown Mountain Lights of North Carolina are thought to be of Cherokee origin. Needless to say, I made a hasty departure home.. 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. Fiddlers, accompanied by banjo and dulcimer, would play humorous and plaintive ballads reminding the settlers of their homelands. The 20 Best North Georgia Christmas Events for 2022, 20 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 20 Fun, Festive Places to Celebrate Christmas in Georgia (2022), The 20 Best Christmas Lights in Atlanta and North Georgia (2022). Jack is an English hero and archetypal stock character appearing in multiple legends, fairy tales, and nursery rhymes. For instance, communal activities like corn shuckings, house raisings, and log rollings brought people together. When you look at how long the story has endured and how many people have put forth theoriesdoctors, lawyers and preachers back in the day signed eyewitness manuscripts saying they witnessed these things, says Fitzhugh. For instance, trained nurses taught families about personal hygiene and homemaking skills. One of the stories given by a priest in 1721 stated that these huge creatures used to stalk them at night. While playing football at the playground of the Flatwoods school, theyd witnessed a bright UFO streak across the sky and land on the property of a local farmer. Hold your feet up when youre crossing a railroad track, or youll lose your boyfriend. Today, tourists come from all over the country to visit the home of the Flatwoods Monster. However, in Appalachian and Cherokee traditions, they can take on other names. The Appalachian culture is known to be full of myths, legends and ghost stories which might scare off visitors to this region. At the same time, many Appalachian natives proud of their heritage especially younger students sought to redefine and preserve Appalachian folklore and tradition. Whatever they heard or saw in the dark woods probably found their way into ghost stories told around the fireplace at night. Georgia accelerated the forced removal of the Cherokees by the United States government. Some former working-class towns have become quaint shopping and entertainment districts. The newspaper named the mysterious creature the Wampus Cat, and the name stuck. Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. The real story behind the tale of the Bell Witch has never been uncovered. John and Lucy Bell were farmers who settled in Adams, Tennessee around 1803. Your heart pounds in your chest and you realize, jarringly, that the sounds of the forest have died. 47 were here. But not every story of the Brown Mountain Lights is steeped in superstition. They used odd assortments of herbs, tonics, and roots to treat everything from typhoid fever to measles. We walk around the corner and there's an old cabin. 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