Chapter XXXI: Part 31

Linn and basswood--The ancient Tuscarora believed that no tree but black gum was immune from lightning, which, they declared, would run round the tree a great many times seeking in vain to effect an entrance. Lawson, who records the belief, adds: "Now, you must understand that sort of gum will not split or rive: therefore, I suppose the story might arise from thence" (Carolina, pp. 345-346, ed. 1860). The Pawnee claim the same immunity for the cedar, and throw sprigs of it as incense upon the fire during storms to turn aside the lightning stroke (Grinnell, Pawnee Hero Stories, p. 126).

Ginseng--For more concerning this plant see the author's Sacred Formulas, above mentioned.

GLOSSARY OF CHEROKEE WORDS

The Cherokee language has the continental vowel sounds a, e, i, and u, but lacks o, which is replaced by a deep â. The obscure or short û is frequently nasalized, but the nasal sound is seldom heard at the end of a word. The only labial is m, which occurs in probably not more than half a dozen words in the Upper and Middle dialects, and is entirely absent from the Lower dialect, in which w takes its place. The characteristic l of the Upper and Middle dialects becomes r in the Lower, but no dialect has both sounds. There is also an aspirated l; k and t have the ordinary sounds of these letters, but g and d are medials, approximating the sounds of k and t, respectively. A frequent double consonant is ts, commonly rendered ch by the old traders (see p. 188, "Dialects").

a as in far.
a as in what, or obscure as in showman.
â as in law, all.
d medial (semisonant), approximating t.
e as in they.
e as in net.
g medial (semisonant), approximating k.
h as in hat.
i as in pique.
i as in pick.
k as in kick.
l as in lull.
`l surd l (sometimes written hl), nearly the Welsh ll.
m as in man.
n as in not.
r takes place of l in Lower dialect.
s as in sin.
t as in top.
u as in rule.
û as in cut.
ûñ û nasalized.
w as in wit.
y as in you.
` a slight aspirate, sometimes indicating the omission
of a vowel.

A number of English words, with cross references, have been introduced into the glossary, and these, together with corrupted Cherokee forms, are indicated by small capitals.

adâ'lanûñ'sti--a staff or cane.

adan'ta--soul.

ada'wehi--a magician or supernatural being.

ada'wehi'yu--a very great magician; intensive form of ada'wehi.

â'gana--groundhog.

Â'ganstâ'ta--"Groundhog-sausage," from â'gana, groundhog, and tsistâ'û, "I am pounding it," understood to refer to pounding meat, etc., in a mortar, after having first crisped it before the fire. A war chief noted in the Cherokee war of 1760, and prominent until about the close of the Revolution; known to the whites as Oconostota. Also the Cherokee name for Colonel Gideon Morgan of the war of 1812, for Washington Morgan, his son, of the Civil war, and now for a full-blood upon the reservation, known to the whites as Morgan Calhoun.

Â'gan-uni'tsi--"Groundhogs'-mother," from â'gana and uni'tsi, their mother, plural of utsi', his mother (etsi', agiti', my mother). The Cherokee name of a Shawano captive, who, according to tradition, killed the great Uktena serpent and procured the Ulûñsû'ti.

Agawe'la--"Old Woman," a formulistic name for corn or the spirit of corn.

agayûñ'li--for agayûñ'lige, old, ancient.

agidâ'ta--see edâ'ta.

agidu'tu--see edu'tu.

Agi`li--"He is rising," possibly a contraction of an old personal name, Agin'-agi`li, "Rising-fawn." Major George Lowrey, cousin of Sequoya, and assistant chief of the Cherokee Nation about 1840. Stanley incorrectly makes it "Keeth-la, or Dog" (for gi`li'.)

agini'si--see eni'si.

agi'si--female, applied usually to quadrupeds.

Agis'-e'gwa--"Great Female," possibly "Great Doe." A being, probably an animal god, invoked in the sacred formulas.

agitsi'--see etsi'.

Agitsta`ti'yi--"Where they stayed up all night," from tsigitsûñ'tihû', "I stay up all night." A place in the Great Smoky range about the head of Noland creek, in Swain county, North Carolina. See notes to number 100.

Aguaquiri--see Guaquili.

Ahalu'na--"Ambush," Ahalunûñ'yi, "Ambush place," or Uni'halu'na, "Where they ambushed," from akalu'ga, "I am watching". Soco gap, at the head of Soco creek, on the line between Swain and Haywood counties, North Carolina (see number 122). The name is also applied to a lookout station for deer hunters.

ahanu'lahi--"he is bearded," from ahanu'lahû, a beard.

Ahu'lude'gi--"He throws away the drum" (habitual), from ahu'li, drum, and akwade'gû, "I am throwing it away" (round object). The Cherokee name of John Jolly, a noted chief and adopted father of Samuel Houston, about 1800.

ahyeli'ski--a mocker or mimic.

akta'--eye; plural, dikta'.

akta'ti--a telescope or field glass. The name denotes something with which to examine or look into closely, from akta', eye.

akwandu'li--a song form for akwidu'li(-hû, "I want it."

Akwan`ki--see Anakwan`ki.

Akwe`ti'yi--a location on Tuckasegee river, in Jackson county, North Carolina; the meaning of the name is lost. See number 122.

Alarka--see Yalâgi.

âliga'--the red-horse fish (Moxostoma).

Alkini'--the last woman known to be of Natchez descent and peculiarity among the East Cherokee; died about 1890. The name has no apparent meaning.

ama'--water; in the Lower dialect, awa'; cf. a'ma, salt.

amaye'hi--"dwelling in the water," from ama' (ama'yi, "in the water") and ehû', "I dwell," "I live."

Amaye`l-e'gwa--"Great island," from amaye`li, island (from ama', water, and aye`li, "in the middle") and e'gwa, great. A former Cherokee settlement on Little Tennessee river, at Big island, a short distance below the mouth of Tellico, in Monroe county, Tennessee. Timberlake writes it Mialaquo, while Bartram spells it Nilaque. Not to be confounded with Long-island town below Chattanooga.

Amaye`li-gûnahi'ta--"Long island," from amaye`li, island, and gûnahi'ta, long. A former Cherokee settlement, known to the whites as Long Island town, at the Long island in Tennessee river, on the Tennessee-Georgia line. It was one of the Chickamauga towns (see Tsikama'gi).

ama'yine'hi--"dwellers in the water," plural of amaye'hi.

Anada'dûñtaski--"Roasters," i. e., Cannibals; from gûñ'taskû', "I am putting it (round) into the fire to roast." The regular word for cannibals is Yûñ'wini'giski, q. v. See number 3.

anagâhûñ'ûñskû'--the Green-corn dance; literally, "they are having a Green-corn dance"; anagâhûñ'ûñsgûñ'yi, "where they are having the Green-corn dance"; the popular name is not a translation of the Cherokee word, which has no reference either to corn or dancing.

Anakwan`ki--the Delaware Indians; singular Akwan`ki, a Cherokee attempt at Wapanaqki, "Easterners," the Algonquian name by which, in various corrupted forms, the Delawares are commonly known to the western tribes.

Anantooeah--see Ani'-Nûn'dawe'gi.

a`ne'tsâ, or a`netsâ'gi--the ballplay.

a`netsâ'ûñski--a ballplayer; literally, "a lover of the ballplay."

ani'--a tribal and animate prefix.

ani'da'wehi--plural of ada'wehi.

a'niganti'ski--see dagan`tû.

Ani'-Gatage'wi--one of the seven Cherokee clans; the name has now no meaning, but has been absurdly rendered "Blind savanna," from an incorrect idea that it is derived from igâ'ti, a swamp or savanna, and dige'wi, blind.

Ani'-Gilâ'hi--"Long-haired people," one of the seven Cherokee clans; singular, Agilâ'hi. The word comes from agilâ'hi (perhaps connected with agi`lge-ni, "the back of (his) neck"), an archaic term denoting wearing the hair long or flowing loosely, and usually recognized as applying more particularly to a woman.

Ani'-Gili'--a problematic tribe, possibly the Congaree. See page 381. The name is not connected with gi`li, dog.

Ani'-Gusa--see Ani'-Ku'sa.

a'nigwa--soon after; dine'tlana a'nigwa, "soon after the creation."

Ani'-Hyûñ'tikwalâ'ski--"The Thunderers," i. e., thunder, which in Cherokee belief, is controlled and caused by a family of supernaturals. The word has reference to making a rolling sound; cf. tikwale'lu, a wheel, hence a wagon; ama'-tikwalelûñyi, "rolling water place," applied to a cascade where the water falls along the surface of the rock; ahyûñ'tikwalâ'stihû', "it is thundering," applied to the roar of a railroad train or waterfall.

Ani'-Kawi'--"Deer people," one of the seven Cherokee clans; the regular form for deer is a`wi'.

Ani'-Kawi'ta--The Lower Creeks, from Kawi'ta or Coweta, their former principal town on Chattahoochee river near the present Columbus, Georgia; the Upper Creeks on the head streams of Alabama river were distinguished as Ani'-Ku'sa (q. v.) A small creek of Little Tennessee river above Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina, is now known as Coweeta creek.

Ani'-Kitu'hwagi--"Kitu'hwa people," from Kitu'hwa (q. v.), an ancient Cherokee settlement; for explanation see page 182.

Ani'-Ku'sa or Ani'-Gu'sa,--The Creek Indians, particularly the Upper Creeks on the waters of Alabama river; singular, A-Ku'sa, from Kusa or Coosa (Spanish, Coça, Cossa) their principal ancient town.

Ani'-Kuta'ni (also Ani'-Kwata'-ni, or, incorrectly, Nicotani)--a traditional Cherokee priestly society or clan, exterminated in a popular uprising. See number 108.

aninâ'hilidâhi--"creatures that fly about," from tsinai'li, "I am flying," tsinâ'iladâ'hû, "I am flying about." The generic term for birds and flying insects.

Ani'-Na`tsi--abbreviated Anintsi, singular A-Na`tsi. The Natchez Indians; from coincidence with na`tsi, pine, the name has been incorrectly rendered "Pine Indians," whereas it is really a Cherokee plural of the proper name of the Natchez.

Anin'tsi--see Ani'-Na`tsi.

Ani'-Nûn'dawe'gi--singular, Nûn'dawe'gi; the Iroquois, more particularly the Seneca, from Nûndawao, the name by which the Seneca call themselves. Adair spells it Anantooeah. The tribe was also known as Ani'-Se'nika.

Ani'-Sahâ'ni--one of the seven Cherokee clans; possibly an archaic form for "Blue people," from sa`ka'ni, sa`ka'nige'i, blue.

Ani'-Sa'ni, Ani'-Sawahâ'ni--see Ani'-Sawanu'gi.

Ani'-Sawanu'gi (singular Sawanu'gi)--the Shawano Indians. Ani'-Sa'ni and Ani'-Sawahâ'ni (see page 380) may be the same.

Ani'-Se'nika.--see Ani'-Nûndawe'gi.

anisga'ya--plural of asga'ya, man.

Anisga'ya Tsunsdi'(-ga)--"The Little Men"; the Thunder Boys in Cherokee mythology. See numbers 3 and 8.

Ani'sgaya'yi--"Men town" (?), a traditional Cherokee settlement on Valley river, in Cherokee county, North Carolina.

anisgi'na--plural of asgi'na, q. v.

Ani'-Skalâ'li--the Tuscarora Indians; singular, Skalâ'li or A-Skalâ'i.

Ani'skwa'ni--Spaniards; singular, Askwa'ni.

Ani'-Suwa'li, or Ani-'Suwa'la--the Suala, Sara, or Cheraw Indians, formerly about the headwaters of Broad river, North Carolina, the Xuala province of the De Soto chronicle, and Joara or Juada of the later Pardo narrative.

Ani'ta'gwa--the Catawba Indians; singular, Ata'gwa, or Tagwa.

Ani'-Tsâ'gûhi--a traditional Cherokee clan, transformed to bears (see number 75). Swimmer's daughter bears the name Tsâgûhi, which is not recognized as distinctively belonging to either sex.

Ani'-Tsa'lagi'--the Cherokee. See "Tribal Synonymy," page 182.

Ani'-Tsa`ta--the Choctaw Indians; singular, Tsa`ta.

Ani'-Tsi'ksû--the Chickasaw Indians; singular, Tsi'ksû.

Ani'-Tsi'skwa--"Bird people;" one of the seven Cherokee clans.

Ani'tsu'tsa--"The Boys," from atsu'tsa, boy; the Pleiades. See number 10.

Ani'-Wâ'di--"Paint people"; one of the seven Cherokee clans.

Ani'-Wâdihi'--"Place of the Paint people or clan"; Paint town, a Cherokee settlement on lower Soco creek, within the reservation in Jackson and Swain counties, North Carolina. It takes its name from the Ani'-Wâ'di or Paint clan.

ani'wani'ski--the bugle weed, Lycopus virginicus; literally, "they talk" or "talkers," from tsiwa'nihû, "I am talking," awani'ski, "he talks habitually." See number 26.

Ani'-Wasa'si--the Osage Indians; singular, Wasa'si.

Ani'-Wa'`ya--"Wolf people"; the most important of the seven Cherokee clans.

Ani'-Yu'tsi--the Yuchi or Uchee Indians; singular Yu'tsi.

Ani'-Yûñ'wiya'--Indians, particularly Cherokee Indians; literally "principal or real people," from yûñwi, person, ya, a suffix implying principal or real, and ani', the tribal prefix. See pages 5 and 182.

Annie Ax--see Sadayi'.

Aquone--a post-office on Nantahala river, in Macon county, North Carolina, site of the former Fort Scott. Probably a corruption of egwâni, river.

Arch, John--see Atsi.

asâ'gwalihû'--a pack or burden; asâ'gwal`lû' or asâ'gwi`li, "there is a pack on him." Cf sâ'gwali'.

asehi'--surely.

Ase'nika--singular of Ani'-Se'nika. See Ani'-Nûndawe'gi.

asga'ya--man.

Asga'ya Gi'gagei--the "Red Man"; the Lightning spirit.

asgi'na--a ghost, either human or animal; from the fact that ghosts are commonly supposed to be malevolent, the name is frequently rendered "devil."

Asheville--see Kâsdu'yi and Unta'kiyasti'yi.

âsi--the sweat lodge and occasional winter sleeping apartment of the Cherokee and other southern tribes. It was a low-built structure of logs covered with earth, and from its closeness and the fire usually kept smoldering within was known to the old traders as the "hot house."

â'siyu' (abbreviated siyu')--good; the common Cherokee salute; gâ'siyu', "I am good"; hâ'siyu', "thou art good"; â'siyu, "he (it) is good"; âstû, "very good" (intensive).

Askwa'ni--a Spaniard. See Ani'skwa'ni.

âstû'--very good; âstû tsiki', very good, best of all. Cf â'siyu'.

Astu'gatâ'ga--A Cherokee lieutenant in the Confederate service, killed in 1862. See page 170. The name may be rendered, "Standing in the doorway" but implies that the man himself is the door or shutter; it has no first person; gatâ'ga, "he is standing"; stu`ti, a door or shutter; stuhû', a closed door or passage; stugi'sti, a key, i. e. something with which to open a door.

asûñ'tli, asûñtlûñ'yi--a footlog or bridge; literally, "log lying across," from asi'ta, log.

ata'--wood; ata'ya, "principal wood," i. e. oak; cf. Muscogee iti, wood.

Atagâ'hi--"Gall place," from a'tagû', gall, and hi, locative; a mythic lake in the Great Smoky mountains. See number 69. The name is also applied to that part of the Great Smoky range centering about Thunderhead mountain and Miry ridge, near the boundary between Swain county, North Carolina, and Blount county, Tennessee.

a'tagû'--gall.

Ata'-gûl`kalû'--a noted Cherokee chief, recognized by the British government as the head chief or "emperor" of the Nation, about 1760 and later, and commonly known to the whites as the Little Carpenter (Little Cornplanter, by mistake, in Haywood). The name is frequently spelled Atta-kulla-kulla, Ata-kullakulla or Ata-culculla. It may be rendered "Leaning-wood," from ata', "wood" and gûl`kalû, a verb implying that something long is leaning, without sufficient support, against some other object; it has no first person form. Bartram describes him as "a man of remarkably small stature, slender and of a delicate frame, the only instance I saw in the Nation; but he is a man of superior abilities."

Ata'gwa--a Catawba Indian. See Ani'la'gwa.

A`tâhi'ta--abbreviated from A`tâhitûñ'yi, "Place where they shouted," from gatâ'hiû', "I shout," and yi, locative. Waya gap, on the ridge west of Franklin, Macon county, North. Carolina. See number 13. The map name is probably from the Cherokee wa`ya, wolf.

Ata-kullakulla--see Ata'-gûl`kalû'.

â'tali--mountain; in the Lower dialect â'tari, whence the "Ottare" or Upper Cherokee of Adair. The form â'tali is used only in composition; a mountain in situ is âtalûñyi or gatu'si.

â'tali-gûli'--"it climbs the mountain," i. e., "mountain-climber"; the ginseng plant, Ginseng quinquefolium; from â'tali, mountain, and gûli', "it climbs" (habitually); tsilahi' or tsili', "I am climbing." Also called in the sacred formulas, Yûñ'wi Usdi', "Little Man." See number 126.

a'talulû--unfinished, premature, unsuccessful; whence utalu'li, "it is not yet time."

Ata'lûñti'ski--a chief of the Arkansas Cherokee about 1818, who had originally emigrated from Tennessee. The name, commonly spelled Tollunteeskee, Taluntiski, Tallotiskee, Tallotuskee, etc., denotes one who throws some living object from a place, as an enemy from a precipice. See number 100 for instance.

â'tari--see â'tali.

atasi' (or atasû', in a dialectic form)--a war club.

atatsûñ'ski--stinging; literally, "he stings" (habitually).

A`tla'nuwa'--"Tla'nuwa hole"; the Cherokee name of Chattanooga, Tennessee, (see Tsatanu'gi) originally applied to a bluff on the south side of the Tennessee river at the foot of the present Market street. See number 124.

A'tsi--the Cherokee name of John Arch, one of the earliest native writers in the Sequoya characters. The word is simply an attempt at the English name Arch.

atsi'la--fire; in the Lower dialect, atsi'ra.

Atsil'-dihye'gi--"Fire Carrier"; apparently the Cherokee name for the will-of-the-wisp. See page 335. As is usually the case in Cherokee compounds, the verbal form is plural ("it carries fires"); the singular form is ahye'gi.

atsil'-sûñ`ti (abbreviated tsil'-sûñ`ti)--fleabane (Erigeron canadense); the name signifies "material with which to make fire," from atsi'la, fire, and gasûñ`ti, (gatsûñ`ti or gatlûñ`ti), material with which to make something; from gasûñ'skû (or gatlûñ'skû), "I make it." The plant is also called ihyâ'ga. See number 126.

Atsil'-tlûñtû'tsi--"Fire panther." A meteor or comet. See notes to number 9.

Atsi'la-wa'i--"Fire ----"; a mountain, sometimes known as Rattlesnake knob, about two miles northeast of Cherokee, Swain county, North Carolina. See number 122.

a'tsina'--cedar; cf. Muscogee, achena or auchenau.

A'tsina'-k`ta'ûñ--"Hanging cedar place"; from a'tsina', cedar, and k`taûñ, "where it (long) hangs down"; a Cherokee name for the old Taskigi town on Little Tennessee river in Monroe county, Tennessee. See number 105.

atsi'ra--see atsi'la.

Atsûñ'sta`ti'yi (abbreviated Atsûñ'sta`ti')--"Fire-light place," (cf. atsil-sûñ'`ti), referring to the "fire-hunting" method of killing deer in the river at night. The proper form for Chestatee river, near Dahlonega, in Lumpkin county, Georgia.

Attakullakulla--see Ata-gûl`kalû'.

awa'--see ama'.

awâ'hili--eagle; particularly Aquila chrysætus, distinguished as the "pretty-feathered eagle."

a`wi'--deer; also sometimes written and pronounced, ahawi'; the name is sometimes applied to the large horned beetle, the "flying stag" of early writers.

a`wi'-ahanu'lahi--goat; literally, "bearded deer."

a`wi'-akta'--"deer eye"; the Rudbeckia or black-eyed Susan.

a`wi'-ahyeli'ski--"deer mocker"; the deer bleat, a sort of whistle used by hunters to call the doe by imitating the cry of the fawn.

a`wi'-e'gwa (abbreviated a`w-e'gwa)--the elk, literally "great deer."

a`wi'-unade'na--sheep; literally "woolly deer."

A`wi' Usdi'--"Little Deer"; the mythic chief of the Deer tribe. See number 15.

Ax, Annie--see Sadayi'.

Ax, John--see Itagû'nahi.

Ayâ'sta--"The Spoiler," from tsiyâ'stihû, "I spoil it"; cf. uyâ'i, bad. A prominent woman and informant on the East Cherokee reservation.

aye`li--half, middle, in the middle.

Ayrate--see e'ladi'.

Ayuhwa'si--the proper form of the name commonly written Hiwassee. It signifies a savanna or meadow and was applied to two (or more) former Cherokee settlements. The more important, commonly distinguished as Ayuhwa'si Egwâ'hi or Great Hiwassee, was on the north bank of Hiwassee river at the present Savannah ford above Columbus, in Polk county, Tennessee. The other was farther up the same river, at the junction of Peachtree creek, above Murphy, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. Lanman writes it Owassa.

A`yûñ'ini--"Swimmer"; literally, "he is swimming," from gayûñini', "I am swimming." A principal priest and informant of the East Cherokee, died in 1899.

Ayûlsû'--see Dayûlsûñ'yi.

Beaverdam--see Uy'gilâ'gi.

Big-island--see Amaye`l-e'gwa.

Big-cove--see Kâ'lanûñ'yi.

Big-mush--see Gatûñ'wa`li.

Big-witch--see Tskil-e'gwa.

Bird-town--see Tsiskwâ'hi.

Bloody-fellow--see Iskagua.

Blythe--see Diskwa`ni.

Black-fox--see Inâ'li.

Boudinot, Elias--see Galagi'na.

Bowl, The; Bowles, Colonel--see Diwa`li.

Brass--see Ûñtsaiyi'.

Brasstown--see Itse'yi.

Breath, The--see Ûñli'ta.

Briertown--see Kanu'ga`lâ'yi.

Buffalo (creek)--see Yûnsâ'i.

Bull-head--see Uskwale'na.

Butler, John--see Tsan'uga'sita.

Cade's Cove--see Tsiyâ'hi.

Canacaught--"Canacaught, the great Conjurer," mentioned as a Lower Cherokee chief in 1684; possibly kanegwâ'ti, the water-moccasin snake. See page 31.

Canaly--see hi'gina'lii.

Canasagua--see Gansâ'gi.

Cannastion, Cannostee--see Kana'sta.

Canuga--see Kanu'ga.

Cartoogaja--see Gatu'gitse'yi.

Cataluchee--see Gadalu'tsi.

Cauchi--a place, apparently in the Cherokee country, visited by Pardo in 1567 (see page 29). The name may possibly have some connection with Nacoochee or Nagu`tsi', q. v.

Caunasaita--given as the name of a Lower Cherokee chief in 1684; possibly for Kanûñsi'ta, "dogwood" (Cornus florida). See page 31.

Chalaque--see Tsa'lagi under "Tribal Synonymy," page 182.

Chattanooga--see Tsatanu'gi.

Chattooga, Chatuga--see Tsatu'gi.

Cheeowhee--see Tsiyâ'hi.

Cheerake--see Tsa'lagi, under "Tribal Synonymy," page 182.

Cheowa--see Tsiyâ'hi.

Cheowa Maximum--see Sehwate'yi.

Cheraqui--see Tsa'lagi, under "Tribal Synonymy," page 182.

Cheraw--see Ani'-Suwa'li.

Cherokee--see Tsa'lagi, under "Tribal Synonymy," page 182; also Elawâ'diyi.

Chestatee--see Atsûñ'sta`ti'yi.

Chestua--see Tsistu'yi.

Cheucunsene--see Tsi'yu-gûnsi'ni.

Cheulah--mentioned by Timberlake as the chief of Settacoo (Si'tikû) in 1762. The name may be intended for Tsu`la, "Fox."

Chickamauga--see Tsi'kama'gi.

Chilhowee--see Tsû`lûñ'we.

Chimney Tops--see Duni'skwa`lgûñ'i.

Chisca--mentioned in the De Soto narratives as a mining region in the Cherokee country. The name may have a connection with Tsi'skwa, "bird," possibly Tsiskwâ'hi, "Bird place."

Choastea--see Tsistu'yi.

Chopped Oak--see Digalu'yatûñ'yi.

Choquata--see Itsâ'ti.

Chota, Chotte--see Itsâ'ti.

Citico--see Si'tikû'.

Clear-sky--see Iskagua.

Clennuse--see Tlanusi'yi.

Cleveland--see Tsistetsi'yi.

Coça--see Ani'-Ku'sa.

Coco--see Kukû'.

Cohutta--see Gahû'ti.

Colanneh, Colona--see Kâ'lanû.

Conasauga--see Gansâ'gi.

Conneross--see Kawân'-urâ'sûñyi.

Cooweescoowee--see Gu'wisguwi'.

Coosa--see Ani'-Ku'sa and Kusa'.

Coosawatee--see Ku'saweti'yi.

Corani--see Kâ'lanû.

Cossa--see Ani'-Ku'sa, Kusa.

Cowee'--see Kawi'yi.

Coweeta, Coweta--see Ani'-Kawi'ta.

Coyatee (variously spelled Cawatie, Coiatee, Coytee, Coytoy, Kai-a-tee)--A former Cherokee settlement on Little Tennessee river, some ten miles below the junction of Tellico, about the present Coytee post-office in Loudon county, Tennessee. The correct form and etymology are uncertain.

Creek-path--see Ku'sa-nûñnâ'hi.

Crow-town--see Kâgûñ'yi.

Cuhtahlatah--a Cherokee woman noted in the Wahnenauhi manuscript as having distinguished herself by bravery in battle. The proper form may have some connection with gatûñ'lati, "wild hemp."

Cullasagee--see Kûlse'tsi'yi.

Cullowhee, Currahee--see Gûlâhi'yi.

Cuttawa--see Kitu'hwa.

dagan`tû--"he makes it rain"; from aga'ska, "it is raining," aga'na, "it has begun to rain"; a small variety of lizard whose cry is said to presage rain. It is also called a'niganti'ski, "they make it rain" (plural form), or "rain-maker." See number 59.

dagûl`kû--the American white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons gambeli). The name may be an onomatope. See number 6.

dagû'na--the fresh water mussel; also a variety of face pimples.

Dagûnâ'hi--"Mussel place," from dagû'na, mussel, and hi, locative. The Muscle shoals on Tennessee river, in northwestern Alabama. It was sometimes called also simply Tsu`stanalûñ'yi, "Shoals place." Cf. U`stana'li.

Dagû'nawe'lâhi--"Mussel-liver place," from dagû'na, mussel, uwe'la, liver, and hi, locative; the Cherokee name for the site of Nashville, Tennessee. No reason can now be given for the name.

Dahlonega--A town in Lumpkin County, Georgia, near which the first gold was mined. A mint was established there in 1838. The name is from the Cherokee dala'nige'i, yellow, whence ate'la-dalâ'nige'i, "yellow money," i. e., gold.

daksawa'ihû--"he is shedding tears."

dakwa'--a mythic great fish; also the whale. See number 68.

Dakwa'i--"Dakwa place," from a tradition of a dakwa' in the river at that point. A former Cherokee settlement, known to the traders as Toqua or Toco, on Little Tennessee river, about the mouth of Toco creek in Monroe county, Tennessee. See number 68. A similar name and tradition attaches to a spot on the French Broad river, about six miles above the Warm springs, in Buncombe county, North Carolina. See number 122.

dakwa'nitlastesti--"I shall have them on my legs for garters"; from anitla'sti (plural dinitla'sti), garter; d-, initial plural; akwa, first person particle; and esti, future suffix. See number 77.

da'liksta'--"vomiter," from dagik'stihû', "I am vomiting," daliksta', "he vomits" (habitually); the form is plural. The spreading adder (Heterodon), also sometimes called kwandaya'hû, a word of uncertain etymology.

Da'`nagâsta--for Da'`nawa-gâsta'ya, "Sharp-war," i.e. "Eager-warrior"; a Cherokee woman's name.

Da'`nawa-(a)sa`tsûñ'yi "War ford," from da'`nawa, war, and asa`tsûñ'yi, a crossing-place or ford. A ford on Cheowa river about three miles below Robbinsville, in Graham county, North Carolina. See number 122.

Danda'ganû'--"Two looking at each other," from detsi'ganû', "I am looking at him." A former Cherokee settlement, commonly known as Lookout Mountain town, on Lookout Mountain creek, near the present Trenton, Dade county, Georgia. One of the Chickamauga towns (see Tsi'kama'gi), so called on account of the appearance of the mountains facing each other across the Tennessee river at Chattanooga.

Da'si`giya'gi--an old masculine personal name, of doubtful etymology, but commonly rendered by the traders "Shoe-boots," possibly referring to some peculiar style of moccasin or leggin. A chief known to the whites as Shoe-boots is mentioned in the Revolutionary records. Chief Lloyd Welch, of the eastern band, was known in the tribe as Da'si`giya'gi and the same name is now used by the East Cherokee as the equivalent of the name Lloyd.

Da'skwitûñ'yi--"Rafters place," from daskwitûñ'i, "rafters," and yi, locative. A former settlement on Tusquittee creek, near Hayesville, in Clay county, North Carolina.

dasûñ'tali--ant; dasûñ'tali atatsûñ'ski, "stinging ant," the large red cow-ant (Myrmica?), also called sometimes, on account of its hard body-case, nûñ'yunu'wi, "stone-clad," after the fabulous monster. See number 67.

Datle'yasta'i--"Where they fell down," a point on Tuckasegee river, a short distance above Webster, in Jackson county, North Carolina. For tradition see number 122.

dâtsi--a traditional water monster. See number 122.

Dâtsi'yi--"Dâtsi place"; a place on Little Tennessee river, near the junction of Eagle creek, in Swain county, North Carolina. See number 122.

Datsu'nalâsgûñ'yi--"where there are tracks or footprints," from ulâ'sinûñ'yi or ulâsgûñ'yi, footprint. Track Rock gap, near Blairsville, Georgia. Also sometimes called De'gayelûñ'ha, "place of branded marks"; (digaletanûñ'hi, branded, or printed). See number 125.

dâ'yi--beaver.

Dayûlsûñ'yi--"Place where they cried," a spot on the ridge at the head of Tuckasegee river, in Jackson county, North Carolina; so called from an old tradition. See number 80.

dâ'yuni'si--"beaver's grandchild," from dâ'yi, beaver, and uni'si, son's child, of either sex (daughter's child, either sex, uli'si). The water beetle or mellow bug (Dineutes discolor).

Degal`gûñ'yi--a cairn, literally "Where they are piled up"; a series of cairns on the south side of Cheowa river, in Graham county, North Carolina. See number 122.

De'gatâ'ga--The Cherokee name of General Stand Watie and of a prominent early western chief known to the whites as Takatoka. The word is derived from tsitâ'ga, "I am standing," da`nitâ'ga, "they are standing together," and conveys the subtle meaning of two persons standing together and so closely united in sympathy as to form but one human body.

De'gayelûñ'ha--see Datsu'nalâsgûñ'yi.

detsanûñ'li--an inclosure or piece of level ground cleared for ceremonial purposes; applied more particularly to the Green-corn dance ground. The word has a plural form, but can not be certainly analyzed.

De'tsata--a Cherokee sprite. See number 78.

detsinu'lahûñgû'--"I tried, but failed."

Dida`lâski'yi--"Showering place." In the story (number 17) the name is understood to mean "The place where it rains fire." It signifies literally, however, the place where it showers, or comes down, and lodges upon something animate, and has no definite reference to fire (atsi'la) or rain (agaska, "it is raining"); dega`lâskû', "they are showering down and lodging upon him."

Dida'skasti'yi--"Where they were afraid of each other." A spot on Little Tennessee river, near the mouth of Alarka creek, in Swain county, North Carolina. See number 122.

diga'gwani'--the mud-hen or didapper (Gallinula galeata). The name is a plural form and implies "lame," or "crippled in the legs" (cf. detsi'nigwa'na, "I am kneeling"), probably from the bouncing motion of the bird when in the water. It is also the name of a dance.

Diga'kati'yi--see Gakati'yi.

di'galûñgûñ'yi--"where it rises, or comes up"; the east. The sacred term is Nûñdâ'yi, q. v.

digalûñ'latiyûñ--a height, one of a series, from galûn'lati, "above." See number 1.

Digalu'yatûñ'yi--"Where it is gashed (with hatchets)"; from tsilu'yû, "I am cutting (with a chopping stroke)," di, plural prefix, and yi, locative. The Chopped Oak, formerly east of Clarkesville, Georgia. See number 125.

Digane'ski--"He picks them up" (habitually), from tsine'û, "I am picking it up." A Cherokee Union soldier in the civil war. See page 171.

digi'gage'i--the plural of gi'gage'i, red.

digû'lanahi'ta--for digû'li-anahi'ta, "having long ears," "long-eared"; from gûle, "ear" and gûnahi'ta, "long."

Dihyûñ'dula'--"Sheaths," or "Scabbards"; singular ahyûñ'dula', "a gun sheath," or other scabbard. The probable correct form of a name which appears in Revolutionary documents as "Untoola, or Gun Rod."

dikta'--plural of akta', eye.

dila'--skunk.

dilsta'ya`ti--"scissors"; the water-spider (Dolomedes).

dinda'skwate'ski--the violet; the name signifies, "they pull each other's heads off."

dine'tlana--the creation.

di`nûski--"the breeder"; a variety of smilax brier. See number 126.

Disgâ'gisti'yi--"Where they gnaw"; a place on Cheowa river, in Graham county, North Carolina. See number 122.

diskwa`ni--"chestnut bread," i. e., a variety of bread having chestnuts mixed with it. The Cherokee name of James Blythe, interpreter and agency clerk.

distai'yi--"they are strong," plural of astai'yi, "strong, or tough." The Tephrosia or devil's-shoestring. See number 126.

dista'sti--a mill (generic).

dita'stayeski--"a barber," literally "one who cuts things" (as with a scissors), from tsista'yû, "I cut," (as with a scissors). The cricket (tala'tu) is sometimes so called. See number 59.

Diwa'`li--"Bowl," a prominent chief of the western Cherokee, known to the whites as The Bowl, or Colonel Bowles, killed by the Texans in 1839. The chief mentioned on page 100 may have been another of the same name.

diyâ'hali (or duyâ'hali)--the alligator lizard (Sceloporue undulalus). See number 59.

Diyâ'hali'yi--"Lizard place," from diyâ'hali, lizard, and yi, locative. Joanna bald, a mountain at the head of Valley river, on the line between Cherokee and Graham counties, North Carolina. For tradition see number 122; also number 59.

Double-head--see Tal-tsu'ska'.

Dragging-canoe--see Tsi'yu-gûnsi'ni.

Dudûñ'leksûñ'yi--"Where its legs were broken off"; a place on Tuckasegee river, a few miles above Webster, in Jackson county, North Carolina. See number 122.

Dugilu'yi (abbreviated Dugilu', and commonly written Tugaloo, or sometimes Toogelah or Toogoola)--a name occurring in several places in the old Cherokee country, the best known being Tugaloo river, so called from a former Cherokee settlement of that name situated at the junction of Toccoa creek with the main stream, in Habersham county, Georgia. The word is of uncertain etymology, but seems to refer to a place at the forks of a stream.

Dûksa'i, Dûkw`sa'i--The correct form of the name commonly written Toxaway, applied to a former Cherokee settlement in South Carolina, and the creek upon which it stood, an extreme head-stream of Keowee river having its source in Jackson county, North Carolina. The meaning of the name is lost, although it has been wrongly interpreted to mean "Place of shedding tears." See number 123.

Dulastûñ'yi--"Potsherd place." A former Cherokee settlement on Nottely river in Cherokee county, North Carolina. See number 122.

dule'tsi--"kernels," a goitrous swelling upon the throat.

dulu'si--a variety of frog found upon the headwaters of Savannah river. See number 125.

Duniya`ta`lûñ'yi--"Where there are shelves, or flat places," from aya`te'ni, flat, whence da'ya`tana`lûñ'i', a shelf, and yi', the locative. A gap on the Great Smoky range, near Clingman's dome, Swain county, North Carolina. See notes to number 100.

Dunidû'lalûñ'yi--"Where they made arrows"; a place on Straight creek, a head-stream of Oconaluftee river, in Swain county, North Carolina. See number 122.

Duni'skwa`lgûñ'i--the double peak known as the Chimney Tops, in the Great Smoky mountains about the head of Deep creek, in Swain county, North Carolina. On the north side is the pass known as Indian gap. The name signifies a "forked antler," from uskwa`lgû, antler, but indicates that the antler is attached in place, as though the deer itself were concealed below.

Du'stayalûñ'yi--"Where it made a noise as of thunder or shooting," apparently referring to a lightning stroke (detsistaya'hihû, "I make a shooting, or thundering, noise," might be a first person form used by the personified Thunder-god); a spot on Hiwassee river, about the junction of Shooting creek, near Hayesville, in Clay county, North Carolina. A former settlement along the creek bore the same name. See number 79.

du'stu'--a species of frog, appearing very early in spring; the name is intended for an onomatope. It is the correct form of the name of the chief noted by McKenney and Hall as "Tooantuh or Spring Frog."

Dutch--see Tatsi'.

duwe`ga--the spring lizard. See number 59.

Eagle dance--see Tsugidû`li' Ûlsgi'sti.

Eastinaulee--see U`stana'li.

Echoee--see Itse'yi.

Echota--see Itsâ'ti.

Edâ'hi--"He goes about" (habitually); a masculine name.

Echota, New--see Gansâ'gi.

edâ'ta--my father (Upper dialect); the Middle and Lower dialect form is agidâ'ta.

edu'tu--my maternal grandfather (Upper dialect); the Middle and Lower dialect form is agidu'tu; cf. eni'si.

e'gwa--great; cf. u'tanû.

egwâ'ni--river.

Egwânul`ti--"By the river," from egwâ'ni, river, and nu'lati or nul`ti, near, beside. The proper form of Oconaluftee, the name of the river flowing through the East Cherokee reservation in Swain and Jackson counties, North Carolina. The Cherokee town, "Oconalufte," mentioned by Bartram as existing about 1775, was probably on the lower course of the river at the present Birdtown, on the reservation, where was formerly a considerable mound.

ela--earth, ground.

e'ladi'--low, below; in the Lower dialect e'radi', whence the Ayrate or Lower Cherokee of Adair as distinguished from the Ottare (â'tari, â'tali) or Upper Cherokee.

elanti--a song form for e'ladi, q. v.

Elatse'yi (abbreviated Elatse')--possibly "Green (Verdant) earth," from ela, earth, and itse'yi, green, from fresh-springing vegetation. The name of several former Cherokee settlements, commonly known to the whites as Ellijay, Elejoy or Allagae. One of these was upon the headwaters of Keowee river in South Carolina; another was on Ellijay creek of Little Tennessee river, near the present Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina; another was about the present Ellijay in Gilmer county, Georgia; and still another was on Ellejoy creek of Little river near the present Maryville, in Blount county, Tennessee.

Elawâ'diyi (abbreviated Elawâ'di)--"Red-earth place" from ela, earth, wâdi, brown-red or red paint, and yi, the locative. 1. The Cherokee name of Yellow-hill settlement, now officially known as Cherokee, the postoffice and agency headquarters for the East Cherokee, on Oconaluftee river in Swain county, North Carolina. 2. A former council ground, known in history as Red Clay, at the site of the present village of that name in Whitfield county, Georgia, adjoining the Tennessee line.

Ellijay--see Elatse'yi.

eni'si--my paternal grandfather (Upper dialect); the Middle and Lower dialect form is agini'si. Cf. edu'tu.

Eskaqua--see Iskagua.

Estanaula, Estinaula--see U`stana'li.

Etawa'ha-tsistatla'ski--"Deadwood-lighter," a traditional Cherokee conjurer. See number 100.

e`ti, or eti--old, long ago.

Etowah--see I'tawa'.

Etsaiyi'--see Ûñtsaiyi'.

etsi'--my mother (Upper dialect); the Middle and Lower dialect form is agitsi'.

Euharlee--see Yuha'li'.

Feather dance--see Tsugidû`li, Ûlsgi'sti.

Fighting-town--see Walâs'-unûlsli'yi.

Flax-toter--see Tâle'danigi'ski.

Flying-squirrel--see Kâ'lahû'.

French Broad--see Unta'kiyasti'yi.

Frogtown--see Walâsi'yi.

Gadalu'lu--the proper name of the mountain known to the whites as Yonah (from yânû, "bear"), or upper Chattahoochee river, in White county, Georgia. The name has no connection with Tallulah (see Talulu'), and can not be translated.

Gadalu'tsi--in the corrupted form of Cataluchee this appears on the map as the name of a peak, or rather a ridge, on the line between Swain and Haywood counties, in North Carolina, and of a creek running down on the Haywood side into Big Pigeon river. It is properly the name of the ridge only and seems to refer to a "fringe standing erect," apparently from the appearance of the timber growing in streaks along the side of the mountain; from wadalu'yata, fringe, gadû'ta, "standing up in a row or series."

gahawi'sita--parched corn; improperly spelled wissactaw by Hawkins. See note under number 83.

Gahûti (Gahû'ta and Gwahû'ti in dialectic forms)--Cohutta mountain, in Murray county, Georgia. The name comes from gahûtâ'yi, "a shed roof supported on poles," and refers to a fancied resemblance in the summit.

Gakati'yi--"Place of setting free"; sometimes spoken in the plural form, Diga'kati'yi, "Place of setting them free." A point on Tuckasegee river about three miles above Bryson City, in Swain county, North Carolina. See number 122.

gaktûñ'ta--an injunction, command or rule, more particularly a prohibition or ceremonial tabu. Tsiga`te'gû, "I am observing an injunction, or tabu"; adakte'gi, "he is under tabu regulations."

Galagi'na--a male deer (buck) or turkey (gobbler); in the first sense the name is sometimes used also for the large horned beetle (Dynastes tityus?). The Indian name of Elias Boudinot, first Cherokee editor. See page 111.

gali'sgisidâ'hû--I am dancing about; from gali'sgia', "I am dancing," and edâhû', "I am going about."

galûñkw'ti'yu--honored, sacred; used in the bible to mean holy, hallowed.

galûñ'lati--above, on high.

gane'ga--skin.

ganidawâ'ski--the campion, catchfly or "rattlesnake's master" (Silene stellata); the name signifies "it disjoints itself," from ganidawâskû', "it is unjointing itself," on account of the peculiar manner in which the dried stalk breaks off at the joints.

Gansâ'gi (or Gansâgiyi)--the name of several former settlements in the old Cherokee country; it cannot be analyzed. One town of this name was upon Tuckasegee river, a short distance above the present Webster, in Jackson county, North Carolina; another was on the lower part of Canasauga creek, in McMinn county, Tennessee; a third was at the junction of Conasauga and Coosawatee rivers, where afterward was located the Cherokee capital, New Echota, in Gordon county, Georgia; a fourth, mentioned in the De Soto narratives as Canasoga or Canasagua, was located in 1540 on the upper Chattahoochee river, possibly in the neighborhood of Kenesaw mountain, Georgia (see page 197).

Gansa`ti'yi--"Robbing place," from tsina'sahûñskû', "I am robbing him." Vengeance creek of Valley river, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. The name Vengeance was originally a white man's nickname for an old Cherokee woman, of forbidding aspect, who lived there before the Removal. See number 122.

Ganse`ti--a rattle; as the Cherokee dance rattle is made from a gourd the masculine name, Ganse`ti, is usually rendered by the whites, "Rattling-gourd."

gatayûsti--the wheel and stick game of the southern tribes, incorrectly called nettecawaw by Timberlake. See note under number 3.

Gâtegwâ'--for Gâtegwâ'hi, possibly a contraction of Igât(i)-egwâ'hi, "Great-swamp (-thicket) place." A high peak southeast from Franklin, Macon county, North Carolina, and perhaps identical with Fodderstack mountain. See number 75.

ga'tsû--see hatlû'.

Gatu'gitse'yi (abbreviated Gatu'gitse')--"New-settlement place," from gatu'gi or sgatu'gi, town, settlement, itse'hi, new, especially applied to new vegetation, and yi, the locative. A former settlement on Cartoogaja creek of Little Tennessee river, above Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina.

Gatuti'yi--"Town-building place," or "Settlement place," from gatu'gi, a settlement, and yi, locative. A place on Santeetla creek, near Robbinsville, in Graham county, North Carolina. See number 122.

Gatûñ'lti'yi--"Hemp place," from gatûñ'lati, "wild hemp" (Apocynum cannabinum), and yi, locative. A former Cherokee settlement, commonly known as Hemptown, on the creek of the same name, near Morganton, in Fannin county, Georgia.

Gatûñ'wa`li--a noted western Cherokee about 1842, known to the whites as "Hard-mush" or "Big-mush." Gatûñ'wa`li, from ga'tu', "bread," and ûñwa'`li, "made into balls or lumps," is a sort of mush of parched corn meal, made very thick, so that it can be dipped out in lumps almost of the consistency of bread.

ge'i--down stream, down the road, with the current; tsâ'gi, up stream.

gese'i--was; a separate word which, when used after the verb in the present tense, makes it past tense without change of form; in the form hi'gese'i it usually accompanies an emphatic repetition.

Ge`yagu'ga (for Age'hya-guga?)--a formulistic name for the moon (nûñ'da'); it cannot be analyzed, but seems to contain the word age'hya, "woman." See also nûñ'da'.

giga--blood; cf. gi'gage'i, red.

gi'ga-danegi'ski--"blood taker," from giga, blood, and ada'negi'ski, "one who takes liquids," from tsi'negia', "I am taking it" (liquid). Another name for the tsâne'ni or scorpion lizard. See number 59.

gi'gage'i--red, bright red, scarlet; the brown-red of certain animals and clays is distinguished as wâ'dige'i.

gi'ga-tsuha'`li--"bloody-mouth," literally, "having blood on the corners of his mouth"; from giga, blood, and tsuhanûñsi'yi, the corners of the mouth (aha'li, his mouth). A large lizard, probably the Pleistodon. See number 59.

gi`li'--dog; in the Lower dialect, gi`ri'.

Gi`li'-dinehûñ'yi--"Where the dogs live," from gi`li', dog, dinehû', "they dwell" (ehû, "I dwell"), and yi, locative. A place on Oconaluftee river, a short distance above Cherokee, in Swain county, North Carolina. See number 122.

Gi`li'-utsûñ'stanuñ'yi--"Where the dog ran," from gi`li', dog, and utsûñ'stanûñ'yi, "footprints made by an animal running"; the Milky Way. See number 11.

ginûnti--a song form for ginû'tii', "to lay him (animate object) upon the ground." See number 75.

gi`ri'--see gi`li'.

Gisehûñ'yi--"Where the female lives," from agi'si, female, and yi, the locative. A place on Tuckasegee river, a short distance above Bryson City, Swain county, North Carolina. See number 122.

gitlû'--hair (Upper dialect); in the Middle and Lower dialects, gitsû'.

gitsû'--see gitlû'.

Glass, The--see Ta'gwadihi'.

Gohoma--A Lower Cherokee chief in 1684; the form cannot be identified. See page 31.

Going-snake--see I'nadûna'i.

Gorhaleke--a Lower Cherokee chief in 1684; the form cannot be identified. See page 31.

Great island--see Amaye`l-e'gwa.

Gregory bald--see Tsistu'yi.

Guachoule--see Guaxule.

Guaquili (Wakili)--a town in the Cherokee country, visited by De Soto in 1540, and again in 1567 by Pardo, who calls it Aguaquiri (see pages 25 and 28). The name may have a connection with waguli', "whippoorwill," or with u-)wâ'gi`li, "foam."

Guasula--see Guaxule.

Guasili--see Guaxule.

Guaxule--a town in the Cherokee country, visited by De Soto in 1540; variously spelled in the narratives, Guasili, Guachoule, Guasula, Guaxule, Quaxule, etc. It was probably about at Nacoochee mound, in White county, Georgia. It has been suggested that the Spaniards may have changed the Indian name to resemble that of a town in Spain. See pages 26 and 194.

gû'daye'wû--"I have sewed myself together"; "I am sewing," tsiye'wia'; "I am sewing myself together," gûdayewiû. See number 31.

gugwe' (or g`gwe')--the quail or partridge; the name is an onomatope.

gugwe'-ulasu'la--"partridge moccasin," from gugwe' or g`gwe', partridge, and ulasula, moccasin or shoe; the ladyslipper (Cypripedium).

Gûlâhi'yi (abbreviated Gûlâhi', or Gûrâhi', in the Lower dialect)--"Gûlâ'hi place," so called from an unidentified spring plant eaten as a salad by the Cherokee. The name of two or more places in the old Cherokee country; one about Currahee mountain in Habersham county, Georgia, the other on Cullowhee river, an upper branch of Tuckasegee, in Jackson county, North Carolina. Currahee Dick was a noted chief about the year 1820.

Gû'lani'yi--a Cherokee and Natchez settlement formerly about the junction of Brasstown creek with Hiwassee river, a short distance above Murphy, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. The etymology of the word is doubtful.

gule'--acorn.

gûle'-diska`nihi'--the turtle-dove; literally, "it cries, or mourns, for acorns," from gule', acorn, and diska`nihi', "it cries for them" (di-, plural prefix, -hi, habitual suffix). The turtle-dove feeds upon acorns and its cry somewhat resembles the name, gule'.

gûle'gi--"climber," from tsilahi', "I climb" (second person, hi'lahi'; third person, gûlahi'); the blacksnake (Bascanion constrictor).

Gûl`kala'ski--An earlier name for Tsunu'lahûñ'ski, q. v.

gûl`kwâ'gi--seven; also the mole-cricket (Gryllotalpa). See number 59.

gûl`kwâ'gine(-i--seventh; from gûl`kwâgi, seven.

Gûlsadihi' (or Gûltsadihi'?)--a masculine personal name, of uncertain etymology.

Gumlog--see Tsilalu'hi.

gûnahi'ta--long.

Gû'nahitûñ'yi--"Long place" (i.e., Long valley), from gûnahita, long, and yi, locative. A former settlement, known to the whites as Valleytown, where now is the town of the same name, on Valley river, in Cherokee county, North Carolina. The various settlements on Valley river and the adjacent part of Hiwassee were known collectively as the "Valley towns."

Gûn'-di'gaduhûñ'yi (abbreviated Gûn'-digadu'hûñ)--"Turkey settlement" (gû'na, turkey), so called from the chief, Turkey or Little Turkey. A former settlement, known to the whites as Turkeytown, upon the west bank of Coosa river, opposite the present Center, in Cherokee county, Alabama.

gû'nî'--arrow. Cf. Seneca ga'na'.

gûñ'nage'i (or gûñ'nage)--black.

Gûñne'hi--see Nûñne'hi.

Gûñskali'ski--a masculine personal name of uncertain etymology.

Gunters landing, Guntersville--see Ku'sa-Nûñnâ'hi.

Gûn-tsuskwa'`li--"Short arrows," from gûni', arrow, and tsuskwa'`li, plural of uskwa'`li, short; a traditional western tribe. See number 105.

Gûnûñ'da`le'gi--see Nûñnâ'hi-dihi'.

Gusti'--a traditional Cherokee settlement on Tennessee river, near Kingston, Roane county, Tennessee. See number 79. The name cannot be analyzed. Wafford thought it a Cherokee attempt at "Kingston," but it seems rather to be aboriginal.

Gu'wisguwi'--The Cherokee name for the chief John Ross and for the district named in his honor, commonly spelled Cooweescoowee. Properly an onomatope for a large bird said to have been seen formerly at infrequent intervals in the old Cherokee country, accompanying the migratory wild geese, and described as resembling a large snipe, with yellow legs and unwebbed feet. In boyhood John Ross was known as Tsan'-usdi', "Little John."

Gwal`gâ'hi--"Frog place," from gwal`gû, a variety of frog, and hi, locative. A place on Hiwassee river, just above the junction of Peachtree creek, near Murphy, in Cherokee county, North Carolina; about 1755 the site of a village of refugee Natchez, and later of a Baptist mission.

gwehe'!--a cricket's cry. See number 119.

ha!--an introductory exclamation intended to attract attention or add emphasis; about equivalent to Here! Now!

ha'-ma'ma'--a song term compounded of ha! an introductory exclamation, and mama', a word which has no analysis, but is used in speaking to young children to mean "let me carry you on my back." See number 117.

Hanging-maw--see Uskwâ'li-gû'ta.

ha'nia-lil'-lil'--an unmeaning dance refrain. See number 24.

Hard-mush--see Gatûñ'wa`li.

ha'suyak'--a song form for hasuya'gi', "(thou) pick it out" (imperative); "I pick it out, or select it," ga'suyagiû'; second person, ha'suyagiû'. See number 19.

ha'tlû--dialectic form, ga'tsû, "where?" (interrogative).

ha'wiye'ehi', ha'wiye'-hyuwe'--unmeaning dance refrains. See numbers 32 and 118.

hayû'--an emphatic affirmative, about equivalent to "Yes, sir!" See number 115.

hayuya'haniwa'--an unmeaning refrain in one of the bear songs. See number 75.

he-e!--an unmeaning song introduction.

Hemp-carrier--see Tâle'danigi'ski.

Hemptown--see Gatûñlti'yi.

hi!--unmeaning dance exclamation.

hi'gina'lii--"(you are) my friend"; agina'lii, "(he is) my friend." In white man's jargon, canaly.

Hickory-log--see Wane'-asûñ'tlûñyi.

Hightower--see I'tawa'.

hila'gû?--how many? how much? (Upper dialect); the Middle dialect form is hûñgû'.

hilahi'yu--long ago; the final yu makes it more emphatic.

hi'lûñnû--"(thou) go to sleep"; from tsi'lihû', "I am asleep."

hi'ski--five; cf. Mohawk wisk. The Cherokee numerals including 10 are as follows: sâ'gwû, ta'li, tsâ'i, nûñ'gi, hi'ski, su'tali, gûl`kwâ'gi, tsune'la, sañne'la, askâ'hi.

Hiwassee--see Ayuhwa'si.

hi'yagu'we--an unmeaning dance refrain. See number 32.

Houston, Samuel--see Ka'lanû.

hûñgû--see hila'gû.

huhu--the yellow-breasted chat, or yellow mocking bird (Icteria virens); the name is an onomatope. See number 45.

hûñyahu'ska--"he will die."

hwi'lahi--"thou (must) go."

igagû'ti--daylight. The name is sometimes applied to the ulûñsû'ti (q. v.), and also to the clematis vine.

i'hya--the cane reed (Arundinaria) of the Gulf states, used by the Indians for blowguns, fishing rods, and basketry.

ihyâ'ga--see atsil'sûñ`ti.

i'nadû'--snake.

I'nadû-na'i--"Going-snake," a Cherokee chief prominent about eighty years ago. The name properly signifies that the person is "going along in company with a snake," the verbal part being from the irregular verb asta'i, "I am going along with him." The name has been given to a district of the present Cherokee Nation.

i'nage'hi--dwelling in the wilderness, an inhabitant of the wilderness; from i'nage'i, "wilderness," and ehi, habitual present form of ehû, "he is dwelling"; ge'û, "I am dwelling."

I'nage-utasûñ'hi--"He who grew up in the wilderness," i. e. "He who grew up wild"; from i'nage'i, "wilderness, unoccupied timber land," and utasûñ'hi, the third person perfect of the irregular verb, ga'tûñskû', "I am growing up."

Inâ'li--Black-fox; the common red fox is tsu'la (in Muscogee, chula). Black-fox was principal chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1810. See page 86.

Iskagua--"Iakagua or Clear Sky, formerly Nenetooyah or the Bloody-Fellow." The name appears thus in a document of 1791 as that of a Cherokee chief frequently mentioned about that period under the name of "the Bloody Fellow." In one treaty it is given as "Eskaqua or Bloody Fellow." Both forms and etymologies are doubtful, neither form seeming to have any reference either to "sky" (galûñ'lahi) or "blood" (gi'ga). The first may be intended for Ik-e'gwa, "Great-day." See page 69.

Istanare--see U`stana'li.

I`sû'nigû--an important Cherokee settlement, commonly known to the whites as Seneca, formerly on Keowee river, about the mouth of Conneross creek, in Oconee county, South Carolina. Hopewell, the country seat of General Pickens, where the famous treaty was made, was near it on the east side of the river. The word cannot be translated, but has no connection with the tribal name, Seneca.

Itaba--see I'tawa'.

Itagû'nahi--the Cherokee name of John Ax.

I'tawa'--The name of one or more Cherokee settlements. One, which existed until the Removal in 1838, was upon Etowah river, about the present Hightower, in Forsyth county Georgia. Another may have been on Hightower creek of Hiwassee river in Towns county, Georgia. The name, commonly written Etowah and corrupted to Hightower, cannot be translated and seems not to be of Cherokee origin. A town called Itaba, Ytaua or Ytava in the De Soto chronicles existed in 1540 among the Creeks, apparently on Alabama river.

Itsa'ti--commonly spelled Echota, Chota, Chote, Choquata (misprint), etc; a name occurring in several places in the old Cherokee country: the meaning is lost. The most important settlement of this name, frequently distinguished as Great Echota, was on the south side of Little Tennessee river a short distance below Citico creek in Monroe county, Tennessee. It was the ancient capital and sacred "peace town" of the Nation. Little Echota was on Sautee (i. e., Itsâ'ti) creek, a head stream of the Chattahoochee, west of Clarkesville, Georgia. New Echota, the capital of the Nation for some years before the Removal, was established at a spot originally known as Gansa'gi (q. v.) at the junction of the Oostanaula and Conasauga rivers, in Gordon county, Georgia. It was sometimes called Newtown. The old Macedonia mission on Soco creek, of the North Carolina reservation, is also known as Itsâ'ti to the Cherokee, as was also the great Nacoochee mound. See Nagu`tsi'.

Itse'yi--"New green place" or "Place of fresh green," from itse'hi, "green or unripe vegetation," and yi, the locative; applied more particularly to a tract of ground made green by fresh-springing vegetation, after having been cleared of timber or burned over. A name occurring in several places in the old Cherokee country, variously written Echia, Echoee, Etchowee, and sometimes also falsely rendered "Brasstown," from a confusion of Itse'yi with ûñtsaiyi', "brass." One settlement of this name was upon Brasstown creek of Tugaloo river, in Oconee county, South Carolina; another was on Little Tennessee river near the present Franklin, Macon county, North Carolina, and probably about the junction of Cartoogaja (Gatug-itse'yi) creek; a third, known to the whites as Brasstown, was on upper Brasstown creek of Hiwassee river, in Towns county, Georgia. In Cherokee as in most other Indian languages no clear distinction is made between green and blue (sa`ka'nige'i).

i'ya--pumpkin.

iya'-iyu'sti--"like a pumpkin," from iya and iyu'sti, like.

iya'-tawi'skage--"of pumpkin smoothness," from i'ya, pumpkin, and tawi'skage, smooth.

Jackson--see Tsek'sini'.

Jessan--see Tsesa'ni.

Jesse Reid--see Tse'si-Ska'tsi.

Joanna bald--see Diyâ'hali'yi.

Joara, Juada--see Ani'-Suwa'li.

John--see Tsa'ni.

John Ax--see Itagû'nahi.

Jolly, John--see Ahu'lude'gi.

Junaluska--see Tsunu'lahûñ'ski.

Jutaculla--see Tsul`kalû'.

kâ'gû'--crow; the name is an onomatope.

Kâgûñ'yi--"Crow place," from kâ'gû', crow and yi, locative. See number 63.

ka'i--grease, oil.

Kala'asûñ'yi--"Where he fell off," from tsila'askû', "I am falling off," and yi, locative. A cliff near Cold Spring knob, in Swain county, North Carolina.

Kâ'lahû'--"All-bones," from kâ'lû, bone. A former chief of the East Cherokee, also known in the tribe as Sawanu'gi (Shawano), and to the whites as Sawnook or Flying-squirrel.

Kâ'lanû--"The Raven"; the name was used as a war title in the tribe and appears in the old documents as Corani (Lower dialect, Kâ'ranû) Colanneh, Colona, etc. It is the Cherokee name for General Samuel Houston or for any person named Houston.

Kâ'lanû Ahyeli'ski--the Raven Mocker. See number 120.

Kâ'lanûñ'yi--"Raven place," from kâ'lanû, raven, and yi, the locative. The proper name of Big-cove settlement upon the East Cherokee reservation, Swain county, North Carolina, sometimes also called Raventown.

kalâs'-gûnahi'ta--"long-hams" (gûnahi'ta), "long"); a variety of bear. See number 15.

Kâl-detsi'yûñyi--"Where the bones are," from kâ'lû, bone, and detsi'yûñyi, "where (yi) they (de--plural prefix) are lying." A spot near the junction of East Buffalo creek with Cheowa river, in Graham county, North Carolina. See number 122.

kama'ma--butterfly.

kama'ma u'tanû--elephant; literally "great butterfly," from the resemblance of the trunk and ears to the butterfly's proboscis and wings. See number 15.

kanahe'na--a sour corn gruel, much in use among the Cherokee and other southern tribes; the tamfuli or "Tom Fuller" of the Creeks.

kanane'ski--spider; also, from a fancied resemblance in appearance, a watch or clock; kanane'ski amaye'hi, the water spider.

Kana'sta, Kanastûñ'yi--a traditional Cherokee settlement formerly on the headwaters of the French Broad river near the present Brevard, in Transylvania county, North Carolina. The meaning of the name is lost. A settlement called Cannostee or Cannastion is mentioned as existing on Hiwassee river in 1776. See number 82 and notes.

kanâ'talu'hi--hominy cooked with walnut kernels.

Kana'ti-- "Lucky Hunter"; a masculine name, sometimes abbreviated Kanat'. The word can not be analyzed, but is used as a third person habitual verbal form to mean "he is lucky, or successful, in hunting"; the opposite is u`kwa'legû, "unlucky, or unsuccessful, in hunting." See number 3.

kanegwâ'ti--the water-moccasin snake.

Kanu'ga--also written Canuga; a Lower Cherokee settlement, apparently on the waters of Keowee river in South Carolina, destroyed in 1761; also a traditional settlement on Pigeon river, probably near the present Waynesville, in Haywood county, North Carolina. See number 81 and notes. The name signifies "a scratcher," a sort of bone-toothed comb with which ball-players are scratched upon their naked skin preliminary to applying the conjured medicine; de'tsinuga'skû, "I am scratching it."

kanugû'`la (abbreviated nugû'`la)--"scratcher," a generic term for the blackberry, raspberry, and other brier bushes. Cf. Kanu'ga.

Kanu'gû`lâyi, or Kanu'gû`lûñ'yi--"Brier place," from kanu'gû'`lâ, brier (cf. Kanu'ga); a Cherokee settlement formerly on Nantahala river, about the mouth of Briertown creek, in Macon county, North Carolina.

kanûñ'nawû'--pipe.

Kâsdu'yi--"Ashes place," from kâsdu, ashes, and yi, the locative. A modern Cherokee name for the town of Asheville, in Buncombe county, North Carolina. The ancient name for the same site is Unta'kiyasti'yi, q.v.

Katâl'sta--an East Cherokee woman potter, the daughter of the chief Yânagûñ'ski. The name conveys the idea of lending, from tsiyâtâl'sta, "I lend it"; agatâl'sta, "it is lent to him."

Kawân'-urâ'sûnyi (abbreviated Kawân'-urâ'sûñ in the Lower dialect)--"Where the duck fell" from kawâ'na, duck, urâ'sa (ulâ'sa), "it fell," and yi, locative. A point on Conneross creek (from Kawân'-urâ'sûñ), near Seneca, in Oconee county, South Carolina. See number 123.

Kawi'yi (abbreviated Kawi')--a former important Cherokee settlement, commonly known as Cowee, about the mouth of Cowee creek of Little Tennessee river, some 10 miles below Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina. The name may possibly be a contraction of Ani'-Kawi'yi, "Place of the Deer clan."

Keeowhee--see Keowee.

Kenesaw--see Gansâ'gi.

Keowee--the name of two or more former Cherokee settlements. One, sometimes distinguished as "Old Keowee," the principal of the Lower Cherokee towns, was on the river of the same name, near the present Fort George, in Oconee county, South Carolina. Another, distinguished as New Keowee, was on the headwaters of Twelve-mile creek, in Pickens county, South Carolina. According to Wafford the correct form is Kuwâhi'yi, abbreviated Kuwâhi', "Mulberry-grove place"; says Wafford, "The whites murdered the name, as they always do." Cf. Kuwâ'hi.

Ke'si-ka'gamû--a woman's name, a Cherokee corruption of Cassie Cockram; ka'gamû is also the Cherokee corruption for "cucumber."

Ketoowah--see Kitu'hwa.

Kittuwa--see Kitu'hwa.

Kitu'hwa--An important ancient Cherokee settlement formerly upon Tuckasegee river, and extending from above the junction of Oconaluftee down nearly to the present Bryson City, in Swain county, North Carolina. The name, which appears also as Kettooah, Kittoa, Kittowa, etc., has lost its meaning. The people of this and the subordinate settlements on the waters of the Tuckasegee were known as Ani'-Kitu'hwagi and the name was frequently extended to include the whole tribe. For this reason it was adopted in later times as the name of the Cherokee secret organization, commonly known to the whites as the Ketoowah society, pledged to the defense of Cherokee autonomy. See also historical notes 1 and 47.

kiyu`ga--ground-squirrel; te'wa, flying squirrel; salâ'li, gray squirrel.

Klausuna--see Tlanusi'yi.

Knoxville--see Kuwandâ'tâ`lûñ'yi.

kû!--an introductory exclamation, to fix attention, about equivalent to "Now!"

kukû'--"cymling"; also the "jigger weed," or "pleurisy root" (Asclepias tuberosa). Coco creek of Hiwassee river, and Coker postoffice, in Monroe county Tennessee, derive their name from this word.

Kûlsetsi'yi (abbreviated Kûlse'tsi)--"Honey-locust place," from kûlse'tsi, honey-locust (Gleditschia) and yi locative; as the same word, kûlse'tsi, is also used for "sugar," the local name has commonly been rendered Sugartown by the traders. The name of several former settlement places in the old Cherokee country. One was upon Keowee river, near the present Fall creek, in Oconee county, South Carolina; another was on Sugartown or Cullasagee (Kûlse'tsi) creek, near the present Franklin, in Macon county, North Carolina; a third was on Sugartown creek, near the present Morganton, in Fannin county, Georgia.

Kunnesee--see Tsi'yu-gûnsi'ni.

Kûnstûtsi'yi--"Sassafras place," from kûnstû'tsi, sassafras, and yi, locative. A gap in the Great Smoky range, about the head of Noland creek, on the line between North Carolina and Sevier county, Tennessee.

kûnu'nu (abbreviated kûnun')--the bullfrog; the name is probably an onomatope; the common green frog is walâ'si and there are also names for several other varieties of frogs and toads.