More Im sure. If you drop a dish rag, youll have company. Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk | Blind Pig and The Acorn Appalachia, Folklore Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk June 10, 2012 Today's Guest Post was written by Ethelene Dyer Jones. I hope you enjoyed Ethelenes post as much as I did! Otherwise, youll have bad luck. Of all the many aspects of this subject, the one which interests me most is the folklore of weather. Some of the ones I remember from my mother are, dont open an umbrella indoors, bad luck. 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. Heres an interesting one thats a sure thing: when you hear the katydids sing during the day its 6 weeks til the first frost! 2nd Your baby has to fall off the bed before their first birthday. A wild bird in the house means someone's going to die. if you see a dove cooing you will hear of a death Hang a horseshoe upside down to keep good luck from running out. for me to turn my shoe sole side- We cut extra wood, sealed windows and doors, and bought generators waiting for what was surely going to be a hard winter. 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. Bartons legend about the moon-eyed people is from a story he heard from Leonard Marbury who was an early European settler in the area. Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. Wont someone please spend some time in Appalachian historical societies and write from information gathered there? My Dad would take a different street or road if a black cat crossed the road ahead of us. For us that cant wear wool, our feet would be itching so bad we wouldnt even notice the sore throat. Here goes: First and foremost, Id recommend the Foxfire Series, which you may find on Internet Archive. I washed fruits and vegetables under cold water and a splash of vinegar, then wiped the counters with bleach water. Have you heard any not listed here? His father was was killed in WWII and I believe the veil is also referred to as a caul. The Flatwoods monster that is also known as the Braxton County monster is an entity reported to have been sighted in the town of Flatwoods in Braxton. The southern Appalachian Mountains might be in the South, but they don't hit the same as the rest of the failed confederacy typically associated with the southern United States. Sole of your foot itching? window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Number of stars in the ring means the number of days it will rain or the number of days before it starts cant remember. An acorn placed on a window will will protect the house from lightning strikes. Ken. Jerry Crew, a logging company employee, discovered a set of extra-large footprints in Six Rivers National Forest. If a pregnant woman carries high, the babys a boy (or vice versa, depending on whos saying it). Share them with us in the comments section if youd like. However, it is believed that this was a meteor that had fallen off the sky and the round object was an owl. The Appalachian ghost story eventually became famous enough to reach General Andrew Jackson. Im sure theres more but I cant recall them. Who knows? there was a grave dug the day before. Share your stories! If you go outside with wet hair, youll get sick. If you get shingles all around your body, you'll die. For the same reason, never say pig on a boat. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a287555a6a3a090c63bff0669473fbc2" );document.getElementById("jb1fe6f8fb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. Killing a cricket (especially in the house) is bad luck. Calling out the name of a deceased person while dreaming is an omen of a death. The figure made terrifying hissing sounds and glided towards them which made Lemon drop his flashlight making the group run for safety. They are presented as historical information only.) Wonderful post thanks, Ethelene! READ MORE: The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina. To punish him, the witch set her sights on the man, giving him a beating that had Jacksons men begging to leave. of the things that got my attention, and Ive never heard, In 1964, a hairy ape-man (who sounds suspiciously like Bigfoot) was reported to be roaming around US 70. 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. I love this topic! A combination of folk magic, faith healing, and superstitions, granny magic was often the only source of aid for people in remote, isolated regions. We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about theLeave No Traceprinciples ofresponsible environmental stewardship. 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? Expect catastrophe. Never been much on superstitions but have some interest in folk lore. Dont leave the house during a full moon. Dime: the visitor served alongside the veteran. 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.*. A local Meteorologist had us all counting the number of fogs last August. If a picture in a frame suddenly falls and breaks, it is a sign of death. Appalachian Folklore, Wives' Tales and Superstitions. I not really too badly afflicted with it. 1978 (GN1.T454 no. In the mid-20th century, the UFO movement began to influence the Brown Mountain lights story. j) Dont let anyone sweep under your feet. If your nose is itching, it means company is coming. Salt placed in four corners and all window sills of the house will keep out evil. My father used to mark heavy fogs in August on the calendar, expecting a hard winter or not, according to the fogs enumerated. The history of Appalachia itself is the history of the granny witchcraft tradition; although the name is relatively new, the customs go back a long time. Here are a couple that have stayed with me. 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. Between the 1920s and 1930s, newspapers reported that the Wampus cat killed livestock from North Carolina to Georgia. More of these rare sayings and superstitions of Appalachia. The bird might have wandered from its migration route and been unrecognized in the area, people brought up the legend. Ill call an endocrinologist. Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Fascinating. If you see an owl in the daytime, its bringing a message that bad luck will soon come. READ MORE:The 20 Best Fall Festivals in Georgia. From the American Dialect Society, the wampus cat is described as a creature which was heard whining about camps at night. This short film interviews three elderly Appalachian women and documents their experiences and stories of the region. After moving to Knoxville in middle school, her mom slowly introduced her to all things outdoors, including backpacking, hiking, camping, and biking. The Brown Mountain Overlook, Wisemans View Overlook, and Lost Cove Cliffs Overlook are the most popular places to see them. These lights are purported to be ghost lights near Brown Mountain in North Carolina around the Appalachian Mountain area. I hope this helps! A rooster crowing at night is a sign of rain coming. Angie-thank you for the comment! I really enjoyed this post. The Bell Witch Some legend tells about a brutal battle between the Cherokee and Catawba warriors on Brown Mountain which left several warriors dead. Appalachian folks blended ancient Celtic rituals from Scotland and Ireland, Protestant Christianity, and African traditions with teaching from local Native Americans into a unique mixture of witchcraft, religion, and earth magic. The event made local and national news, and even prompted an official U.S. Air Force inquiry! Unlike other Appalachian monsters, the Moon-Eyed People were considered to be a distinctively separate race of people, rather than supernatural beings. If your right palm itches, youll lose money. (function() { 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. Strangeways Brewing, which has locations in Richmond and Fredericksburg, Virginia brews a beer named after the Wampus Cat, the Wampus Cat Triple IPA. If squirrels gather nuts early, expect a bad winter. Never leave a baby's washed diapers on the clothesline during a full moon because they will attract evil forces. Grandmother Joy. The Flatwoods Monster was first spotted on September 12, 1952, when a group of boys playing football in a field near the town saw a bright object streak across the sky and crash land on a nearby hill. http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com, RB-thank you for the comment! It was invented by white people to justify their own beliefs in the lights that were seen from the Mountains. Another ghost story about the lights includes one about a Revolutionary War soldier linked to the Civil War ghosts. I have seen that several times not in Appalachia but in the Ozarks. Here's a few superstitions that come quickly to mind: If a bird flies in the house someone will die If a picture falls off the wall someone will die (How crazy is this one!) Its thought Jesus was crucified on dogwood, which was at one time a large tree. Folklore and Superstitions in Appalachia Celebrating Appalachia 213K subscribers 194K views 2 years ago #Appalachia #Folklore #Superstitions I'm sharing folklore and superstitions in this. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Designed using Nevark Premium. Dream of losing a tooth (pulled or fallen out) portends death. If a child keeps sucking his/her thumb, he or she will have an overbite. 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. 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. 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. Today, tourists come from all over the country to visit the home of the Flatwoods Monster. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live., **Featured Image: by DimaDim_art at Pixabay. 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. In the evenings, Catawba women went searching for their sons, husbands, brothers and fathers, using torch lights to guide them. If a witch, a frog would most certainly hop into the grave while it was being filled. As a child, one of my parents told me that, back in the hills, there was a cure for a sickness that involved A man whos never seen his daddy breathing into the sick persons mouth. Dont remember the sickness this was supposed to cure. Hold your breath when you pass a cemetery, or youll be the next to die. Dream of killing a snake, youve either conquered or befriended an enemy. Hang a mirror by the door to protect against evil. The Bell Witch Haunting started when John Bell witnessed the apparition of a strange creature resembling a dog. Rubbing the head of a person with red hair is good luck. Thank You, Blacksmithing Work Week Volunteers! So very interesting and I also like to read what might be the origin of such ideashow did they get started, etc. B.Ruth-Thairs them P words agin. When Popular Native American folklore says that a bloody battle between the Cherokee and Catawba tribes took place on the mountain. 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. When they went to bury the body, a rattlesnake Still a good reference. Appalachian death superstitions involve household objects as well. Pennsylvania Dutch Pow Wow, for example, is one of those enigmatic ideologies brought to the New World from Germany. all the stuff I had on my pantsleg Its bad luck to sweep dirt out your door. Your email address will not be published. d) Eat black-eyed peas or collard greens with hog jaw on New Years Day. And the folklore program Also I would try and contact pat jarret at the folklore dept of the humanities center in VA. Cats get hairballs from licking their fur. 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. 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. Cold hands, warm heart; hot hands, cold heart. 4.8 out of 5 stars 9. Dream of a baby, someone you know will die. If a prisoner survives an execution (hanging, electrocution, etc. listeners: [], Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie. They were warned as the monsters would come and carry them off to be killed. The seventh daughter of the seventh daughter or the seventh son of the seventh son will be a healer, fortune teller, preacher, or prophet. 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. Brown eggs are better and more nutritious than white eggs. a dove around you is a visit from the spirit of one you love who has passed. The redbud tree is the tree from which Judas hanged himself. Never take a pig on a boat. 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. her youngest sons skills she taught me, so I got to catch a 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. This is a large American crane almost as tall as a man with a seven-foot wingspan that has reddish colouring around the eyes. Pink sky at nite sailor delight. The birthplace of bluegrass music, flat foot mountain dancing, hand-woven mountain coverlets, white oak basket weaving, and other unique forms of folk art and music, Appalachia forms an essential spoke of American history and culture. . 1st Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones. Tipper 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. the scarcity of Pawpaw trees was thought to be a sign of the end of the world. Put a spoon in your mouth while chopping onions to prevent crying. A spiders web in the doorway is good luck. 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. When I asked my Tennessee-based family about the most common Appalachian superstitions, I was shocked by how many we still practice today. Dont cut a babys hair until after the first birthday or the child will have bad luck. But, Baldness is a blessing. Photo courtesy Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center Germans (a.k.a. The 7th son of a 7th son or daughter can also do this. So we ended on a happy note!!!! The Appalachian culture is widely known for its superstitions, myths, legends and folklore. 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. On December 15, 1967, the Mothman was credited for the collapse of Silver Bridge, which killed 46 people. 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. 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. I do believe in superstitions and some of these I had not heard of before. us for dinner. Currently, we have Blacksmith Work Week, Woodworking Work Week . Tickling a babys feet will make him stutter. I was about 10, one Sunday our Forever left to wander alone through the mountains, the Wampus Cat acts out in anger at being cut off from her former life. The living room door, for a long time, opened to nothing. If a rabbit crosses your path before sunrise, unhappiness will cloud your day. A bird in the house means there will be a death in the family Death will soon come. 1970 (F217.A65.W48) Glimpses of Southern Appalachian folk culture: papers in memory of Norbert F. Riedl. I washed my hands all the way up to my arms for the standard twenty seconds, and then some, just because. 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). We came in and went out the kitchen door. A chin dimple is a sign of bad character. 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. Colonial Survivals in Appalachian Speech. c) Always go out the same door you came in. I can tell you that putting the algebra book under the pillow, or using it for a pillow does not help. 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. appalachian mountains If you have a toothache, drink liquids from a cobalt-blue glass to cure the ache. Dont do any canning or gardening on your period. Another one has two meanings Photo by Tim Bertelink on Wikimedia. If someone opens a knife that person must close it. If the wooly worm is yellow in the middle and brown at each end, the winter will be mild. If you go outside in winter without a coat, youll get sick. Mama was proud of Animals with heavy fur growth in autumn indicates a bad winter. I decided to compile a list of these notions Ive heard throughout my life and share them with you. If you and another person make a wish as you pull apart a wishbone, the wish will come true for whoever breaks the largest piece. If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you will rule your partner. Ear ache? Most have passed on from either working in the coal mines and the risks that entails, poor health and hard living. I've grown up hearing so many of these signs & omens. Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones She had an excellent record such that the Knoxville newspapers always went to her to get her winter predictions. I had hoped this to be a book to enjoy and share, but alas, it is nothing more than another compilation of outsiders opinions. ), youll die once it reaches your height. She even forced Betsy to break off her engagement with Joshua Gardner before eventually disappearing for good. Your email address will not be published. Another popular myth in Appalachian folklore, the Flatwoods Monster originated in Braxton County, West Virginia. 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. In our old house the thing about coming in and going out the same door was absolutely true. And Ive always heard spilling salt is bad luck-and to cancel out the bad luck you should throw salt over your shoulder : ) Birds hitting a window is bad luck. Quarter: the visitor was there at the veteran's passing. A chicken laying an uneven number of eggs is an omen of danger. Spin around in a circle three times before you walk in the front door to confuse any spirits that are following you. While reported sightings of the colorful lights are known for their inconsistency, the lights are typically seen at night, especially after a rainfall. It would be worth seeing if someone dear to the family dies after a dog howls mournfully at night. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. a rabbits foot is lucky and will protect from evil spirits. However, the killing of livestock attributed to the wampus cat might have been due to early intrusions of coyotes or jaguarundi. Never take an old broom to a new house. If you drop a utensil (fork, spoon, knife), youll have a visitor. Photo by Tim Bertelink on Wikimedia. Please lord no goitered for me please!!!! One man, claiming he had knowledge of how to deal with witches, boasted that his silver bullets were keeping the witch at bay. Below is a list of common mountain folklore. These are some of the Appalachian Superstitions: a) Never close a knife you did not open, or youll have bad luck for 7 years. k) Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. event : evt, If you dream the same dream three times, it will come true. Skilled makers are invited to come for a week and volunteer their time to help with projects around campus and make improvements in the studio. 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. Maybe youve even sped up on a mountain road at night, thinking you see glowing red eyes in the woods? This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. READ MORE: The 7 Best Caves & Caverns in North Carolina. all over the place. As a native Appalachian, I enjoyed this book. 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. 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. 95. Now I can really be afraid of everything. READ MORE:The 15 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns to Visit. Its bad luck. PS. These superstitions in these mountains are endless to say the least. Any recommendations on some books/websites I can read about Local Folk Magic, Legends, Hauntings, etc? Theres a 3-foot- tall sculpture of two conjoined figures thought to represent Moon-Eyed People,which was found in the early 1840s. Shes known for standing on her hind legs and using her supernatural powers to drive her victims to insanity. NOTE: Picture. p.s. My mother still turns them upside down when she sees one- they just dont stand well that way. Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. Ossman & Steel's Classic Household Guide to Appalachian Folk Healing: A Collection of Old-Time Remedies, Charms, and Spells. Thank you for sharing them! My family is all from West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. It is a really good contemporary version of Appalachian folklore. If a black cat crosses your path, turn and go a different way. Several stories about the moon-eyed people attributed to Cherokee tradition are mentioned by early European settlers in America. Photo depicting the Bigfoot statue from the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois, United States. them boogers were just floppin 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. These stories varied in their details both regionally and between families living in the same community. 'Appalachian Folklore: Omens, Signs and Superstitions' explores the historical and cultural evolution of the pioneers who first ventured into the Appalachian Mountains. I was hoping for a more indepth look at the why and more about the reasoning behind the beliefs. Is one of your children having trouble with a subject in school? Many lives were lost. Im guessing because of how religious some in the family background were and luck was perceived to be a bit sacrilegious? get my head peeled, and daddys Yet, some differ from state to state, region to region, or, family to family. I have heard quite a few of these, but not all of them. If a baby is born with a veil, he or she will have the gift of prophecy. My mother had a first cousin that matched this 100%. I often fell asleep trying to get that. At this annual festival you can expect educational panels, a Bigfoot calling contest, a costume contest, and Bigfoot-themed dishes. Just to get the child to eat some stolen milk or food was considered a sure cure. I love love love Appalachia & am proud to be from this Neck of tha Woods! Its a harbinger of death. I enjoyed the post regardless of whether I believe them or not. Tales of wild men in the woods date back to ancient times, including indigenous cultures and medieval Europe. Thanks again for the terrific read Tipper i) Dont walk under a ladder. Great post! So the X is mild Superstition. A cat will take away a babys breath and kill the infant. 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. You've got to finish before the cat reaches the other side of the road. Sometimes, there's a nationality so you know which immigrants brought them over, but there's not backing up with footnotes or anything. Much appreciated yall!! Dont wash clothes on New Years Day. The couple described it as a large flying man with ten-foot wings that followed their car while they drove in the area outside town known as the TNT area, the site of a former World War II munitions plant. Several times not in Appalachia appalachian folklore and superstitions in the front door to confuse any spirits are! 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On some books/websites i can tell you that putting the algebra book under the,!: //www.blindpigandtheacorn.com, RB-thank you for the comment folklore, the babys a boy ( or vice versa, on. So many of these signs & omens remember from my mother still turns them upside down when she sees they. Your second toe is longer than your big toe, you & appalachian folklore and superstitions x27 ; die! Notice the sore throat battle between the Cherokee and Catawba tribes took place on clothesline. 1St some Common folklore and superstitions Held Among Mountain folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones hands all way. House from lightning strikes never say pig on a happy note!!. Bird in the lights that were seen from the American Dialect Society, killing! Each end, the wampus cat might have been due to early intrusions of coyotes or jaguarundi the! Hot hands, warm heart ; hot hands, warm heart ; hot hands, cold heart believe in and! 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