These lights are purported to be ghost lights near Brown Mountain in North Carolina around the Appalachian Mountain area. Instead, this is pretty much just a list of omens, signs, and superstitions (three different lists) and a little background. Your email address will not be published. 1970 (F217.A65.W48) Glimpses of Southern Appalachian folk culture: papers in memory of Norbert F. Riedl. Links for Book One and Book Two. Many other indigenous tribes had their own version of a large, hairy monster, but the myth of the Sasquatch was the first to be recorded by European settlers. General information on superstitions. The farmer known as John Bell Senior used to reside with his family along the Red River in an area currently near the town of Adams. 2nd Appalachian Mountain Roots Facebook page. 671K views 2 years ago "Signs, Cures, & Witchery" provides a fascinating glimpse of some little-known Appalachian beliefs and practices among descendants of early German pioneers. Photo by Tim Bertelink on Wikimedia. If a pregnant woman carries high, the babys a boy (or vice versa, depending on whos saying it). Notify me of follow-up comments by email. READ MORE: The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina. On November 15th 1966, two young couples comprising Roger and Linda Scarberry, and Steve and Mary Mallette reported spotting a large grey creature whose eyes glowed red. Have you ever heard the saying. For example, if wooly worms or extra fuzzy, or if the black stripe is thicker than usual, it will be a colder winter than normal. Appalachia Bare. Some of these known cultures by the traditional people of the Appalachian may not be widely practised in the present day, but their myths and mountain folklore were passed down through several generations. Dont forget to stop at The Spot along the way, where youll find alien-themed sandwiches and Flatwoods Monster souvenirs. A redbird (Cardinal) visiting means happiness or good luck. Also known as the Bell Witch Haunting, it is a legend centred on the 19th-century Bell family of northwest Robertson County, Tennessee. Or dogs get hair balls from eating cats!!!! His father was was killed in WWII and I believe the veil is also referred to as a caul. Hold your feet up when youre crossing a railroad track, or youll lose your boyfriend. If cows are laying down, or leaves are upside down, its going to rain. This years festival falls on September 17 and 18, 2022. Festivals, Folk. 4.3 out of 5 stars 18. . . If you put shoes on the bed, it heralds death for someone close to you. I have heard-if you drop a dish towel in the kitchen it means someone is coming to see you : ) I was pleased that the author addressed the history and diversity of cultures that have resulted in the unique blend of traditions that make us who we are. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. k) Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. Tipper Dont do any canning or gardening on your period. READ MORE: The 7 Best Caves & Caverns in North Carolina. I never heard of a frog in a grave, here where i live in north central Pennsylvania, Please forgive me because Ive been a bit busy and am just now replying to your comment. Ethelene-Good stuff this morning. j) Dont let anyone sweep under your feet. 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. They gathered a group of adults and went to investigate, and when they reached the top of the hill, they . A wild bird in the house means someone's going to die. If you walk underneath a ladder, its bad luck. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Designed using Nevark Premium. READ MORE:The 15 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Visit. Dont cut your nails or hair on Sunday. Dont let a pregnant woman see a dead person or the baby will have a birth mark. What Is Appalachian Granny Witchcraft? I am one of those that claim not to be superstitious but Ive been know to put an X on the windshield when a black cat crosses in front of me. The figure made terrifying hissing sounds and glided towards them which made Lemon drop his flashlight making the group run for safety. Heres an interesting one thats a sure thing: when you hear the katydids sing during the day its 6 weeks til the first frost! Dream of killing a snake, youve either conquered or befriended an enemy. If a witch, a frog would most certainly hop into the grave while it was being filled. I love learning about folklore and superstitions of the Appalachian Mountains. I knew some of them from our Ozark traditions. On their way to see the light, the boys stopped to tell their mother, Kathleen May, who asked National Guardsman Eugene Lemon to join them. Appalachian death superstitions involve household objects as well. I have not had them around to pass down the stories, not that they would as they are a very religious bunch, mostly. If you find yourself under one, dont turn around back up. To experience these Appalachian legends for yourself, visit the Historic Bell Witch Cave, which located in Adams TN. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. Dont let a cat near the baby. Here goes: First and foremost, Id recommend the Foxfire Series, which you may find on Internet Archive. The Appalachian culture is known to be full of myths, legends and ghost stories which might scare off visitors to this region. Coins on a veteran's headstone (not so much a superstition but a message of respect): Penny: someone visited the grave. Coins on a veterans headstone (not so much a superstition but a message of respect): Always go out the same door you entered, otherwise youll have bad luck. The bird might have wandered from its migration route and been unrecognized in the area, people brought up the legend. When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic! There are two cures for it. I often fell asleep trying to get that. John Bell grew so concerned by these violent escalations that he shared his story with a family friend, James Johnston. He always went in a side door at the loading dock. 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. This years festival will be held on May 13 & 14, 2022. If youre walking with someone you have to go on the same side of a post or obstacle, or it will break your friendship. Brown eggs are better and more nutritious than white eggs. Culture of Appalachia Today most of the time the superstitions are said in a joking manner. the necks came off real easy but Whether we believe in their efficacy or not, they are interesting to read and think about. Therefore, many ghost stories, songs, superstitions, and folk remedies considered "Appalachian folklore" can actually be traced back to places like Scotland or Ireland. Which have you heard? 'Appalachian Folklore: Omens, Signs and Superstitions' explores the historical and cultural evolution of the pioneers who first ventured into the Appalachian Mountains. If you have a toothache, drink liquids from a cobalt-blue glass to cure the ache. If the right, good things are being said. Better safe than sorry, right? More Im sure. Prior to the 20th century, Bigfoot was known by names like Sasquatch (a Salish word meaning wild-men) or Yeti (in Himalayan folklore). An evolutionary step up. One is to look up the chimney in the house where the homesick person is visiting or residing. One man, claiming he had knowledge of how to deal with witches, boasted that his silver bullets were keeping the witch at bay. For us that cant wear wool, our feet would be itching so bad we wouldnt even notice the sore throat. This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. So if you went out there was a 4 or 5 foot drop to the ground. Cherokee Death Cat) is a large cat similar to a mountain lion or cougar, with tan-yellow fur, six legs, and large yellow eyes. Tell no one and itll come true. Tipper, However, the modern-day theory has been deemed to have been built on fictional aspects. I washed my hands all the way up to my arms for the standard twenty seconds, and then some, just because. get my head peeled, and daddys The account is free. Still a good reference. Feel free to share in the comments section below or you can send me a message on the, *This post was originally published here on Appalachian Mountain Roots on 9/20/16.*. Im guessing because of how religious some in the family background were and luck was perceived to be a bit sacrilegious? If theres a man up that ladder, I DEFINITELY wouldnt walk under it. The legend holds that a Cherokeefemale was cursed by tribal elders for witnessing a sacred pre-hunt ceremony. Never leave a rocking chair rocking, or you will invite spirits. Game Commission, it was a big delay. READ MORE: The 10 Most Haunted Places in Georgia to Visit. Garden spiders write messages on their webs. Artists impression of the Flatwoods monster. In one of her books, "Appalachian Folklore Omens, Signs and Superstitions," Richmond defines superstition as a seemingly "irrational belief, arising from ignorance or fear, that is held by a number of people but is without foundation." Superstitions are thought to influence coming events, despite any demonstrable correlation. Is one of your children having trouble with a subject in school? The story of the Bell Witch is one of the most popular examples of Appalachian Mountain folklore, and it began in Robertson County, Tennessee. Some legend tells about a brutal battle between the Cherokee and Catawba warriors on Brown Mountain which left several warriors dead. That person will blow breath in the childs face three times for three days and the thrush will disappear. Dont make faces, your expression will get stuck and stay that way. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. Dream of losing a tooth (pulled or fallen out) portends death. Pink sky at nite sailor delight. Youll drown if you swim right after eating because of leg or stomach cramps. Do it fast, though! 15 reviews. If the dough for baking bread cracks while being shaped, a funeral will occur soon. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { I thought hed tell me about some danger Id encounter, like a wasp nest he hadnt cleared, or, perhaps, some angry bird or rabid squirrel. Ive done a fair amount of writing on weather folklore over the years, and I know of three or four books on the subject. a rabbits foot is lucky and will protect from evil spirits. Should I bring her to a morgue If you were born in the good old mountains and hollers of Appalachia, you have been taught more than a few superstitions or old wives tales. It will fall off. If you go outside in winter without a coat, youll get sick. Thanks for sharing. That action is sure to bring bad luck. A few weeks ago, I came home after a hasty, masked, social-distancing trip to the grocery store. I had hoped this to be a book to enjoy and share, but alas, it is nothing more than another compilation of outsiders opinions. Ed Ammons had me cracking up when he said balding is a blessing, we need a cure for hairy Photo courtesy Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center Germans (a.k.a. Anyhow, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing.Whitney Miracle. While reported sightings of the colorful lights are known for their inconsistency, the lights are typically seen at night, especially after a rainfall. Also ring around the moon means rain. Theres a 3-foot- tall sculpture of two conjoined figures thought to represent Moon-Eyed People,which was found in the early 1840s. What are some expressions you heard your family say growing up? If a child keeps sucking his/her thumb, he or she will have an overbite. To release this curse, pinch a little and throw it over your left shoulder. Several stories about the moon-eyed people attributed to Cherokee tradition are mentioned by early European settlers in America. Expect a message. } Never been much on superstitions but have some interest in folk lore. Can never hear enough of this kind of thing. Dogs get them from eating cats! 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. The redbud tree is the tree from which Judas hanged himself. Photo by Bloodyboppa on Wikimedia. Ghost Tales & Superstitions of Southern Appalachian Mountains. I bet iffen that Jim feller aint one a them Prevaricating Politicians aready hed make a goodern. These stories varied in their details both regionally and between families living in the same community. Strangeways Brewing, which has locations in Richmond and Fredericksburg, Virginia brews a beer named after the Wampus Cat, the Wampus Cat Triple IPA. Great post! And I agree with Kathryn Magendie, However, it is believed that this was a meteor that had fallen off the sky and the round object was an owl. Wear a buckeye in your bra to ward off rheumatism. If you plant a coniferous tree (pine, cedar, etc. The name likely derives from the word catawampus, a mountain folklore saying that describes a boogeyman, or something that has gone badly. Just to add a one superstition if you ever hear a rooster crow at midnight there will be a death in the family and this one i really do believe. The land was born before life on earth had evolved bones to crawl out of the primordial ocean to become fossilized in the tectonic crash . So we ended on a happy note!!!! An old belief is that if the textbook of the troublesome subject is placed under the students pillow at night, by morning he/she will know that subject. The Bell Witch Haunting started when John Bell witnessed the apparition of a strange creature resembling a dog. appalachian mountains I love this post! The first boy that comes along and says wax you will say stix. Dont cut your babys hair before their first birthday. Im more worried about people with cell phones stuck in their ear than black cats. When it was time for me to leave, I rose to exit out the front door. Fruitcake. 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. Hello Gary. This. Make a wish on a shooting star. Its bad luck. I see some were converted from bad luck to bad manners. The seventh daughter of the seventh daughter or the seventh son of the seventh son will be a healer, fortune teller, preacher, or prophet. LOL. I reached for the doorknob, then hesitated full stop and motionless. Sometimes, there's a nationality so you know which immigrants brought them over, but there's not backing up with footnotes or anything. Ill call an endocrinologist. There is a list of resources in the back, which is nice. This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. Milk or food stolen from a neighbor and fed to a child will cure whooping cough. This was a commonly held belief back before the whooping cough vaccine when children came down with the dread disease and their little bodies were wracked with fever and severe coughing. Between the 1920s and 1930s, newspapers reported that the Wampus cat killed livestock from North Carolina to Georgia. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. We need a remedy for hairy. Dont leave the house during a full moon. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( If you drop a dish rag, youll have company. It would be worth seeing if someone dear to the family dies after a dog howls mournfully at night. When an eyelash falls out, pinch it lightly between your thumb and forefinger, then make a wish and blow. This legend centers around the Bell family. After attending college at ETSU and UTC, Amy moved to Nashville, where she lived and travelled in a Dodge Sprinter van for a year, before moving back to Chattanooga. Your email address will not be published. I hope this helps! us for dinner. When I was a kid, Mrs. Lane in Crab Orchard, TN was a noted weather predictor and she used the number of August fogs along with other signs like how high above the ground hornets built their nests to predict winter severity. Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. Pink sky in the morning sailor take warning. 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. they had to call the PA If your left palm itches, youll receive money. I hope you'll join me as I do my best to celebrate and preserve Appalachia. A cat eating grass foretells rain. Whether this is true or not, maybe we should try it out in this dry, hot weather, and see, if after our cat chews on grass, rains come. listeners: [], I just thought of something! If your arthritis acts up, itll soon rain. Despite being a story about Cherokee people, the Wampus Cat folktale did not originate with the Cherokee people. Of all the many aspects of this subject, the one which interests me most is the folklore of weather. I wish I still had his list. The newspaper named the mysterious creature the Wampus Cat, and the name stuck. 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. Lastly when you dream of death it means there will be a birth If you spill salt, its bad luck. I really enjoyed this post. An apple held by a dying person until his death, and then after his death given to an alchoholic or habitual drunkard to eat will cure that person of his craving for strong drink. My grandmother could do this because her father died before she was born. A local Meteorologist had us all counting the number of fogs last August. Mountain superstitions of Appalachia Myths, Wives Tales and Signs DONNIE LAWS 137K subscribers 1.7M views 1 year ago They are countless Superstitions in the Appalachian culture on just about. by Tammy J Poore. Coal miners are doomed if a woman works in or steps into a coal mine. 95. Appalachian superstitions surrounding Christmas also came from Scotland and Wales As in all cultures which celebrate Christmas, many superstitions and myths surround the holiday, most of them based on the pagan celebrations of the winter solstice which predated the Christian holiday. 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. A group of lights is the little children dancing and playing. Tie a horsehair around a wart. wring their necks for dinner. Dimples on the chin are said to be made by the devil's shoe. ways and make an X and put the If a bad storm is coming, put a 2-edged axe into a stump facing the storm to ensure the storm goes around you. When the moon is full hold a silver coin up to it and ask it to bring you money!!!! We are superstitious about a lot of things passed down from our family, we firmly believed if a bird hit a window or tried to get into the house someone in the family would die. Popular Native American folklore says that a bloody battle between the Cherokee and Catawba tribes took place on the mountain. For instance, when we were growing up, according to our maternal Grandmother if a piece of silverware was dropped on the floor, it meant a visitor was coming; for a knife dropped, it was a man, for a fork dropped, it was a woman, for a spoon dropped, it was a baby. In the evenings, the tale states that Catawba women went to search for their sons, husbands, brothers and fathers using torch lights. Or use cages? But the legend of Bigfoot a common figure in mountain folklore began in 1958 in Humboldt County, California. During one of these phases, the Creek people annihilated the race. Thank You, Blacksmithing Work Week Volunteers! One You know! Memories have a way of invading the mind, conjured from some small movement, an event, the lilt in a voice, a childs laughter, or, sometimes, nothing at all. Now I can really be afraid of everything. Throwing rice at a wedding gives the couple good luck. Im surprised I have not heard all the superstitions Etelene wrote about as my parents believed in all sorts of sayings. I have heard most of these superstitions, but then were heavily scots-irish and german around here too! And while some stories have proliferated in the region, taking place wherever the tale happens to be told, others are . Ethelene: You sure enlightened me with some new beliefs from our past. I washed fruits and vegetables under cold water and a splash of vinegar, then wiped the counters with bleach water. Eva Nell A combination of folk magic, faith healing, and superstitions, granny magic was often the only source of aid for people in remote, isolated regions. event : evt, The Iroquois tell stories of an aggressive, hair-covered giant with rock-hard skin known as Stone Giant which they referred to as the Genoskwa. If you have a clock on the wall or mantle that hasn't worked for a long time and it suddenly starts ticking, consider that a warning of impending death in the community. Instead, the name came from the Goldsboro News-Argusnewspaper in North Carolina. At Fort Mountain, the Georgia Parks Division of the Department of Natural Resources has a marker about the origin of the wall and the moon-eyed people. You've got to finish before the cat reaches the other side of the road. Jerry Crew, a logging company employee, discovered a set of extra-large footprints in Six Rivers National Forest. I have heard quite a few of these, but not all of them. Descriptions used in the introduction are mostly fictional and I believe many of the folklore, omens, signs and superstitions have originated in the authors own imagination. Heard some of them, not all. Hard to remember. http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com. These superstitions in these mountains are endless to say the least. I do so enjoy reading all the folk-lore from days past and unless it is absolutely unavoidable I never go out a different door than the one I came inafter all I am of Pa dutch and german people and many of what was written I grew up with so needless to say I sure did enjoy this post. Who knows? Ive heard if you drop a dish towel in the kitchen it means somebody is coming. Currently residing in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Amy is an English teacher and soccer coach who grew up in the Appalachian Mountains. $7.95 $ 7. Colonial Survivals in Appalachian Speech. I would look into the Apple shop which is a non profit for storytelling in the region. All these beliefs are commonplace deep in these mountains and passed down by oral tradition. John tried to fire at the animal but it mysteriously disappeared. Hold your breath when you pass a cemetery, or youll be the next to die. Many claim that the lights seen today are the spirits of the Catawba women, still searching for their loved ones. I do believe in superstitions and some of these I had not heard of before. of the things that got my attention, and Ive never heard, While they may not be as widely practiced today, these myths and mountain folklore were passed down by countless generations. Photo by U458625 on Wikimedia. Finding a four-leaf clover means youll have good luck. })(); There are tons of things I could tell you about myself, but all you really need to know is I'm crazy in love with my home in Appalachia-the people, the food, the music, the colorful language, the sustainable lifestyle, the history, the soaring mountains, and the deep dark hollers. Hang a mirror by the door to protect against evil. Quarter: the visitor was there at the veteran's passing. All images and content are subject to copyright and are the sole property of Blind Pig & The Acorn. The first visitor on New Years Day to a home will determine whether the firstborn on that homestead for the year, person or animal, will be male or female, according to the sex of the visitor. It gives you good luck. Granny believes in the one about going out the same door you come in-and she follows it strictly! I enjoyed the post regardless of whether I believe them or not. Cats get hairballs from licking their fur. , Thanks, Tipper and Ethelene for this post. Enjoy your posts! Some believe the moon-eyed people built the fortifications on this mountain., Artists impression of the Mothman. Don't throw your hair out! ), he/she is innocent. If squirrels build nests low in the trees, expect a bad winter. If a picture in a frame suddenly falls and breaks, it is a sign of death. 3) I had high hopes for this but was underwhelmed. If a prisoner survives an execution (hanging, electrocution, etc. We came in and went out the kitchen door. Not so much Appalachian focused; general superstitions, etc. More of these rare sayings and superstitions of Appalachia. } If you dream the same dream three times, it will come true. Dreaming of bees is a sign of good fortune. The blood from a murder or suicide in a home wont wash away and you cant paint over it. Ive heard most of the ones she mentioned-but not all of them. The practices of river baptisms, snake handling, and folk healing were common in rural Appalachia. And so with Read on to learn more about some of the most famous Appalachian folklore stories and superstitions. . For instance, settlers would share tales of Scottish haints and Irish fairies, then adapt them into Appalachian stories over generations. Other than the folklore of the Appalachian Mountain, there are more shocking superstitions that have been passed down by several generations. Tipper (and Ethelene)Im fascinated by superstitions, although I prefer to consider them mountain folklore since a fair portion of them have some underlying factual basis. This is a story of Appalachian Traditions and superstitions of what a wake is in these mountains from personal experiences past down though the generations. If a butterfly lights on you, it means youre special and will have good luck. Break a mirror seven years bad luck. 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. Heard many of them, but a surprising number were new to me. Maybe youve even sped up on a mountain road at night, thinking you see glowing red eyes in the woods? Often it is in the form of parody. Its bad luck to put a hat on the bed. Stop a clock in a room when a person dies. Mama was proud of You may find some info about Appalachian folklore on the Digital Library of Appalachia. Thanks, Ethelene!! Top 10 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower, 10 Things to Do in Paris on Christmas Day (2022), 10 Things to Do in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. Please lord no goitered for me please!!!! If your ears burn, somebodys gossiping about you. Ruth! Treading on an ant nest will cause rain that day. A chicken laying an uneven number of eggs is an omen of danger. For the same reason, never say pig on a boat. When the creature hissed at them, they fled. To relieve migraines, cut your hair because its too heavy for your head. Wampus Cat. Something haunting and mysterious exists in these mountains, from Native American spiritual energies or from settlers who brought auras and cultures from their motherlands. She spent her weekends in high school swimming at the Sinks or camping at Cades Cove. Its thought Jesus was crucified on dogwood, which was at one time a large tree. Fruitcake was also considered good luck in old Appalachian tradition. If you like what you see or read (I hope you do) and would like to use it, please email me and ask at [emailprotected] 2008 - 2023. But there's no charm to it unless it's dipped into moonshine poured into a tree stump in a graveyard. If you come upon a black dog out of nowhere or if a black dog crosses your path, it foretells death. 'Appalachian Folklore: Omens, Signs and Superstitions' explores the historical and cultural evolution of the pioneers who first ventured into the Appalachian Mountains. couple of Dominecker Pullets and Today, tourists come from all over the country to visit the home of the Flatwoods Monster. (German), Spitting on a new baby will bring the child good luck. on: function(evt, cb) { These are only a few of the folklore signs, remedies and superstitions that have been passed down to us from our Scots-Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors. However, moon-eyed people could see various phases of the moon thus getting this name. A red bird outside your window three days in a row, death. Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones They were warned as the monsters would come and carry them off to be killed. Tipper, Im sure theres more but I cant recall them. 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. We want to hear them. Lolll If a pregnant woman craves and eats strawberries, the baby will have a strawberry birthmark. When they went to bury the body, a rattlesnake Rare Books Peculiarities of the Appalachian mountaineers; a summary of legends, traditions, signs and superstitions that are almost forgotten.

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