Living Stories of the Cherokee

by Barbara R. Duncan (Editor)

This remarkable book, the first major new collection of Cherokee stories published in nearly a hundred years, presents seventy-two traditional and contemporary tales from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. It features stories told by Davey Arch, Robert Bushyhead, Edna Chekelelee, Marie Junaluska, Kathi Smith Littlejohn, and Freeman Owle--six Cherokee storytellers who learned their art and their stories from family and community.
The tales gathered here include animal stories, creation myths, legends, and ghost stories as well as family tales and stories about such events in Cherokee history as the Trail of Tears. Taken together, they demonstrate that storytelling is a living, vital tradition. As new stories are added and old stories are changed or forgotten, Cherokee storytelling grows and evolves.
In an introductory essay, Barbara Duncan writes about the Cherokee storytelling tradition and explains the "oral poetics" style in which the stories are presented. This format effectively conveys the rhythmic, oral quality of the living storytelling tradition, allowing the reader to "hear" the voice of the storyteller.

Genres: History, Native American, Nonfiction, Cultural, Indigenous, Native Americans, Folklore

Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive modern collection of Cherokee stories. We picked up this highly recommended book from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian gift shop in Cherokee, NC. That museum is also highly recommended with many exhibits bringing to life many of the stories in the book. Storytelling is the heart of Cherokee culture. Fun & informative read.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

B. nonfiction, folklore, American Indians, Trail of Tears stories included

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories from contemporary (from the late 1990s) Eastern Cherokee storytellers.

[Nancy Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of stories that give some insight into the culture, past and present.

[Mirra Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherokee tales were written in the way the traditional storytellers told them. It was educational and sensitively written with regard to cultural mores and traditions.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living Stories of the Cherokee contains traditional and contemporary stories told by storytellers Davey Arch, Robert Bushyhead, Edna Chekelee, Marie Junaluska, Kathi Smith Littlejohn, and Freeman Owle. All the storytellers except Edna Chekelee were alive at the time this book was published (1998), and all are members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This is the first major new collection of Cherokee stories published in nearly 100 years (since James Mooney’s Myths of the Cherokee of 1900).

The stories range from traditional tales that teach values to stories from the storytellers’ lives and families’ lives. The storytellers learned their art from family and community, and they all tell, or told, stories in the community — in schools, seminars and workshops, and at festivals. What makes this book unique is its focus on collecting stories that are being told today by living (or recently deceased) storytellers. The storytellers, and this book, hope to keep the Cherokee tradition of storytelling alive, as a way of maintaining Cherokee identity and passing on important values to future generations. I usually donate books I’ve read, but I’m hanging on to this one so I can re-read these beautiful stories.

[Gretchen Yoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the library to gain insight into the Cherokee culture. Although I live on the border between Arkansas and Oklahoma, with many that claim Cherokee heritage living around me and with the Trail of Tears intersecting our main road, I knew very little about the Cherokee People before reading this excellent book.

Not only are there multiple ancient legends told by great storytellers, but the book touches on the more recent history of Native Americans, even up to 1946. There are facts regarding the Kituwah dialect and the Eastern Band, as well as Yonaguska and William Holland Thomas. There are also tidbits about the meaning of Ani-Yun-Wiya, who the Nunnehi are, and a short explanation about the Duyukta and the Wampum belt.

I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting a glimpse of Cherokee culture, a great story or fable to tell their young child, examples of different but powerful storytelling styles, or just a good read.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique book in which Cherokee story telling has been written out with the text so that you can read it as the story teller told the stories. The spacing forces the pauses given while storytelling to make the story teller present with you as you are reading. My favorite sections were those stories told by Robert Bushman and Freeman Owle. I recommend this book for anyone interested in Native American stories, storytelling or even for use with storytelling to kids. Its a great collection.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to assign for a Native American folklore or lit class. Rather than reprinting or reworking stories that were collected a century ago, Duncan recorded how the tales are told today--as well as new stories that have developed in the 20th century. She also provides a very good intro to the book, and biographical info on each storyteller.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!! I found references to my hometown in the storytelling I had never heard. Now I have research to do. And I will never look at strawberries the same again...and will always keep some in my home from here on out. I love this book and can't wait to share these stories with my children.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book written by an insightful woman with a great access to the real thing.

[Sydney Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my search to get to the heart of the Cherokee, this has to be tops. Stories in verse, what better way to show and tell and understand?