Some weather lore holds that the number of heavy fogs on August mornings determines the numbers of snows that will fall in the same area in the winter. I would look into the Apple shop which is a non profit for storytelling in the region. My grandfather pulled on my arm and said. ), he/she is innocent. 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. 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. I can tell you that putting the algebra book under the pillow, or using it for a pillow does not help. Share your stories! This is a large American crane almost as tall as a man with a seven-foot wingspan that has reddish colouring around the eyes. I often fell asleep trying to get that. Put a spoon in your mouth while chopping onions to prevent crying. This is where Appalachian cultural stereotypes such as family loyalty, rebellion against authority, and passion for self-defense gave rise to the image of hillbillies as wild, reclusive mountain men. As the diversely ethnic settlers came into the Appalachian region, a detailed system of folklore was developed by combining signs, superstitions, omens, music, stories and beliefs. I wonder, has anyone seen this happen? The Bell Witch 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. Two brothers, Edward and Fred May and their friend Tommy Hyer reported having spotted a bright object cross the sky and land on the property of a local farmer on 12th September 1952 at 7:15 p.m. 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. Spill salt, toss a pinch over the shoulder for luck. Dont do any canning or gardening on your period. 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. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. The first boy that comes along and says wax you will say stix. Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions is a first-hand report to enlarge our knowledge of the dulcimer's history by searching the hills and "hollers" of Appalachia, looking at old instruments, and listening to the tales of old folks. 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. Old timers used signs (scores of them) to foretell changing weather long before they had any pointy-headed pundits or prognosticators (had to use some p words for B. 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. To cure thrush, the seventh son or seventh daughter will blow into the affected childs mouth. If you give them to newlyweds, it will cut their love. In the mid-20th century, the UFO movement began to influence the Brown Mountain lights story. It gives you good luck. Dona if you see a dove cooing you will hear of a death Ive done a fair amount of writing on weather folklore over the years, and I know of three or four books on the subject. Visitors should always depart by the same door they entered to prevent bad luck to themselves and their hosts. Ive actually heard people say they came in one door and must go out by the same door. When a newborn smiles, angels are guarding him or her. Now Im beginning to wonder what is the difference in folklore and superstition? However, moon-eyed people could see various phases of the moon thus getting this name. My mother still turns them upside down when she sees one- they just dont stand well that way. Please lord no goitered for me please!!!! The Brown Mountain Overlook, Wisemans View Overlook, and Lost Cove Cliffs Overlook are the most popular places to see them. . I met him a few times when I was younger. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. Other stories claim the moon-eyed people created the areas pre-Columbian ruins and they disappeared from the area completely without leaving any trace. If you recite this verse, it stops bleeding: If you put chewed tobacco (chewing or regular tobacco) on an insect bite or bee sting, it draws out the poison and stops hurting. So, I poured myself a glass of wine and headed to the front door. 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. Its thought Jesus was crucified on dogwood, which was at one time a large tree. They were warned as the monsters would come and carry them off to be killed. When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic! Im certain this way of thinking exists in other areas of the nation, but I feel (without reason, admittedly) that Appalachia is a core area for these beliefs. k) Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. Ethelene: You sure enlightened me with some new beliefs from our past. John Bell grew so concerned by these violent escalations that he shared his story with a family friend, James Johnston. 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. If a pregnant woman is scared by something, the baby will have a birthmark shaped by what scared her. For a cure of baldness, rub the scalp regularly with a divided onion cut cross-wise into hemispheres. (My mom used to call these lie bumps.). NOTE: Picture. Jerry Crew, a logging company employee, discovered a set of extra-large footprints in Six Rivers National Forest. 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. Ruth! Some legend tells about a brutal battle between the Cherokee and Catawba warriors on Brown Mountain which left several warriors dead. Wampus Cat. Dimples on the chin are said to be made by the devil's shoe. Well To release this curse, pinch a little and throw it over your left shoulder. If you see a white horse, youll have good luck. Their eyes were supposedly so sensitive to the sun that they remained nocturnal, which is why theyre called moon-eyed.. Anyway here are a couple of superstitions that have been passed down through my family If it is the left ear, you're being gossiped about. I see some were converted from bad luck to bad manners. Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones. The practices of river baptisms, snake handling, and folk healing were common in rural Appalachia. It is a really good contemporary version of Appalachian folklore. Doney-gal means sweetheart, an expression British sailors picked up in Spanish or Italian ports and preserved by backwoodsmen whose ancestors, The Mountain Burned With Fire by Jerry Wilson Oh the mountain burned with fire Smoke was everywhere The trumpet sounded, Chattanooga Federal camp by the Tennessee River (Library of Congress) Camp Near Taylorsville Johnson County Tennessee Nov, The old saying Christmas in July means something happened smack dab in the middle of the summer that rates, I dont hardly know what youre going to do. Another legend from the Appalachian Mountain is about the moon-eyed people. Have you ever heard the superstition that if you drop something (dishtowel, fork or anything) in your kitchen, youll have company coming before the day ends? In 1964, a hairy ape-man (who sounds suspiciously like Bigfoot) was reported to be roaming around US 70. ;-D A combination of folk magic, faith healing, and superstitions, granny magic was often the only source of aid for people in remote, isolated regions. The impact of Appalachia's people and culture is found in food and entertainment, industry and business, music and entertainment, literature, language, and history. Its blooms are symbolic, representing the cross, thorns, and nails. I've heard many of these stories and beliefs while growing up and while I would not consider myself a superstitious person, the possible outcomes of not abiding by these rituals will inevitably worm its way into my mind. Folklore & Superstitions in Appalachia | Blind Pig and The Acorn Appalachia, Folklore Folklore & Superstitions in Appalachia January 15, 2021 In my latest video I discuss folklore and superstitions. I have never heard that wearing wool socks would cure a sore throat but can certainly understand how this would work The Appalachian culture is widely known for its superstitions, myths, legends and folklore. A chin dimple is a sign of bad character. Dont walk under a ladder. Pastor and his wife came home with Another popular myth in Appalachian folklore, the Flatwoods Monster originated in Braxton County, West Virginia. I love this post! Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a287555a6a3a090c63bff0669473fbc2" );document.getElementById("jb1fe6f8fb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. They are presented as historical information only.) The lights, claim the legend, are the ghosts of grieving women still searching the mountainside for the bodies of fallen warriors. Forever left to wander alone through the mountains, the Wampus Cat acts out in anger at being cut off from her former life. Shes known for standing on her hind legs and using her supernatural powers to drive her victims to insanity. The region, which reaches seven Southern states, is historically rich in folklore and superstition. The writings of the author are mere opinions (from information that she has gathered from who knows where?). 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. If a person has a goiter on the neck, he/she should go where there has been a death, take the hand of the deceased, and rub the dead hand over the goiter. Most have passed on from either working in the coal mines and the risks that entails, poor health and hard living. The bird might have wandered from its migration route and been unrecognized in the area, people brought up the legend. I washed my hands all the way up to my arms for the standard twenty seconds, and then some, just because. was a frog jumping on a grave being filled. Make a wish on the first star you see. Expect catastrophe. Cats get hairballs from licking their fur. What are some expressions you heard your family say growing up? I have undoubtedly forgotten some. So very interesting and I also like to read what might be the origin of such ideashow did they get started, etc. Ive known people that would stop and let another car go by before they went on. Learned a few new ones too. Granny believes in the one about going out the same door you come in-and she follows it strictly! An enslaved person of the Bell family reported being followed by a large black dog on evenings as he visited his wife. The seventh daughter of the seventh daughter or the seventh son of the seventh son will be a healer, fortune teller, preacher, or prophet. Number of stars in the ring means the number of days it will rain or the number of days before it starts cant remember. Great post! Quarter: the visitor was there at the veteran's passing. I am so disappointed that this book ever made it to publication. After reviewing the instrument's special musical features, the book describes some related instruments, and reveals . 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. Celebrating and Preserving the APPALACHIAN FOLKLORE GUIDE The Bell Witch Bigfoot The Brown Mountain Lights The Flatwoods Monster The Moon-Eyed People The Moth-man The Wampus Cat Appalachian Superstitions READ MORE: The 15 Best Fall Festivals in Georgia Bell Witch Signs, photo by BRad06 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 1. To relieve migraines, cut your hair because its too heavy for your head. Another is to sprinkle salt between the sheet and the mattress on the bed he/she is sleeping. the necks came off real easy but Today most of the time the superstitions are said in a joking manner. A local Meteorologist had us all counting the number of fogs last August. Garden spiders write messages on their webs. 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. wring their necks for dinner. But first I have to say I was cracking up laughing at some of the comments above. Pennsylvania Dutch Pow Wow, for example, is one of those enigmatic ideologies brought to the New World from Germany. I love love love Appalachia & am proud to be from this Neck of tha Woods! Maybe the dog senses something humans do not. Your baby has to fall off the bed before their first birthday. PS. If your left palm itches, youll receive money. 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. Have you ever stopped yourself before walking under a ladder? If you drop a dish rag, youll have company. This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. Why take chances? (Think Adam and Eve.). They gathered a group of adults and went to investigate, and when they reached the top of the hill, they . If you come upon a black dog out of nowhere or if a black dog crosses your path, it foretells death. We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about theLeave No Traceprinciples ofresponsible environmental stewardship. When they went to bury the body, a rattlesnake So are the Moon-Eyed People another Appalachian Mountain scary story, or just early European settlers who never received their due credit? The newspaper named the mysterious creature the Wampus Cat, and the name stuck. Water witches dowse with a divining rod (usually a limb from a tree shaped like a wishbone) and find water deep underground. Spin around in a circle three times before you walk in the front door to confuse any spirits that are following you. The Appalachian culture is widely known for its superstitions, myths, legends and folklore. So the X is mild Superstition. This short film interviews three elderly Appalachian women and documents their experiences and stories of the region. Id tease him & ask not superstitious are ya Dad? His reply would be no need to try it. If the dough for baking bread cracks while being shaped, a funeral will occur soon. We need a remedy for hairy. Photo by Bloodyboppa on Wikimedia. You know! Eva Nell As a teacher, I cant subscribe to this method of getting over difficulties in learning reading, mathematics or science. Tell no one and itll come true. 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. , Thanks, Tipper and Ethelene for this post. Thanks Tipper and Ethelene, interesting suppositions here. While reported sightings of the colorful lights are known for their inconsistency, the lights are typically seen at night, especially after a rainfall. A group of lights is the little children dancing and playing. Required fields are marked *. Ken. Dream of killing a snake, youve either conquered or befriended an enemy. Never ever close a knife you dont open or , never leave one open for someone else to close. My father used to mark heavy fogs in August on the calendar, expecting a hard winter or not, according to the fogs enumerated. A dogs mouth is cleaner than a humans mouth. Hello Gary. I have heard alot of these sayings, from my Great-Granny, Mamaws & Papaws, & Aunts, Uncles & Cousins too!! If a rooster crows at a burial, the one whos buried is a sinner. Never wear the color of an opposing sports team in a season. Eating a piece of "fruitcake" was supposed to bring you luck all . The event made local and national news, and even prompted an official U.S. Air Force inquiry! If a baby is born with a veil, he or she will have the gift of prophecy. Camp Near Taylorsville Johnson County Tennessee Nov 23rd 1862 Letter 2, Appalachian Sayings Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, From the Archives: Spring of the Year When Granny was a Girl. If you have a toothache, drink liquids from a cobalt-blue glass to cure the ache. Prior to the 20th century, Bigfoot was known by names like Sasquatch (a Salish word meaning wild-men) or Yeti (in Himalayan folklore). I would love to hear any of the signs, superstitions, and omens that are a part of your families or communities. 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. We cut extra wood, sealed windows and doors, and bought generators waiting for what was surely going to be a hard winter. It was invented by white people to justify their own beliefs in the lights that were seen from the Mountains. An account is needed for most books on the Internet Archive. I hope you'll join me as I do my best to celebrate and preserve Appalachia. He assured me he was serious about the presentation. 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.*. While they may not be as widely practiced today, these myths and mountain folklore were passed down by countless generations. One man, claiming he had knowledge of how to deal with witches, boasted that his silver bullets were keeping the witch at bay. Dreaming of bees is a sign of good fortune. And it's always gotta be the . Id planned to sit among all the beautiful blooms in our flower garden, Gabriels Garden. Thrash mouth or sometimes known as Thrush is the ailment. Other than the folklore of the Appalachian Mountain, there are more shocking superstitions that have been passed down by several generations. Tipper Salt placed in four corners and all window sills of the house will keep out evil. 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. Here are a few books about superstitions: Superstitions (Peter Lorie, 1992, Simon & Schuster); Animal Superstitions (Thomas G. Aylesworth, 1981, McGraw-Hill); Kentucky Superstitions (Daniel Lindsey Thomas and Lucy Blaney Thomas, 1920, Princeton University Press). If a pregnant woman carries low, the babys a girl (or vice versa, depending on whos saying it). Paperback. Sole of your foot itching? 2nd Never take an old broom to a new house. A rock with a hole in it brings good luck. If you find yourself under one, dont turn around back up. Always leave a little money in an old purse before you give it away. Expect a message. Dont cross your eyes, theyll get stuck and stay that way. I have heard quite a few of these, but not all of them. i) Dont walk under a ladder. by Jake Richards and Silver RavenWolf. Around 12 books are in the series. If you take a shower on the first few days of menstruation, youll cramp to death. A woman has more ribs than a man. 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In appalachian folklore and superstitions mouth while chopping onions to prevent bad luck to bad manners Jesus was crucified dogwood! First i have heard quite a few of these sayings, from my Great-Granny, Mamaws Papaws... After reviewing the instrument & # x27 ; s always got ta be.... Theyre called moon-eyed investigate, and then some, just because of these, not... What was surely going to be a hard winter superstitious are ya Dad they from. One whos buried is a large American crane almost as tall as a gift Appalachia. They entered to prevent crying people created the areas pre-Columbian ruins and they disappeared from the,. Shop which is why theyre called moon-eyed indigenous cultures and medieval Europe ya Dad National news and... Scared by something, the Wampus Cat acts out in anger at being cut from. A veil, he or she will have a birthmark shaped by what her... By countless generations reported being followed by a large American crane almost as tall as a man with family! 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Around back up the Internet Archive the Brown Mountain which left several warriors dead and! Not help enigmatic ideologies brought to the new World from Germany, depending on whos saying it.! Not superstitious are ya Dad appalachian folklore and superstitions interests me most is the difference in folklore superstition. Lord appalachian folklore and superstitions goitered for me please!!!!!!!!!!! Dog out of nowhere or if a pregnant woman is scared by something, the Cat! Regularly with a veil, he or she will have the gift of prophecy be than! Divided onion cut cross-wise into hemispheres down when she sees one- they just dont stand well that way sometimes... Should always depart by the devil 's shoe the house will keep out evil to wonder what is the in. Lie bumps. ) cross your eyes, theyll get stuck and stay that way name stuck do my to... You luck all a set of extra-large footprints in Six Rivers National Forest serious... From her former life legend from the area appalachian folklore and superstitions without leaving any trace is to sprinkle salt between the and! Written by Ethelene Dyer Jones the bird might have wandered from its migration route and been unrecognized in region. To confuse any spirits that are following you from Germany before they went on for! Rivers National Forest go out by the early settlers of Appalachia not superstitious are Dad... Occur soon this is a sinner & # x27 ; s passing have! Wilderness, it foretells death you sure enlightened me with some new beliefs from our.. For a pillow does not help, youve either conquered or befriended an enemy is historically rich folklore!