} This is a sign that you are about to embark on a long journey. We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about theLeave No Traceprinciples ofresponsible environmental stewardship. Please forgive me because Ive been a bit busy and am just now replying to your comment. Ossman & Steel's Classic Household Guide to Appalachian Folk Healing: A Collection of Old-Time Remedies, Charms, and Spells. 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. Dime: the visitor served alongside the veteran. I wish I still had his list. Dont leave the house during a full moon. 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. Between the 1920s and 1930s, newspapers reported that the Wampus cat killed livestock from North Carolina to Georgia. If a baby is born with a veil, he or she will have the gift of prophecy. It may have been a baby ailment. Maybe youve even sped up on a mountain road at night, thinking you see glowing red eyes in the woods? I really enjoyed this post. I hope you enjoyed Ethelenes post as much as I did! This is about 42 minutes long and keeps in theme with the tradition of storytelling, capturing stories from a Cherokee, Scot-Irish, and African-American women. If the sun shines while it is raining, it will rain again tomorrow. When the creature hissed at them, they fled. A combination of folk magic, faith healing, and superstitions, granny magic was often the only source of aid for people in remote, isolated regions. Tipper, Ive heard if you drop a dish towel in the kitchen it means somebody is coming. He always went in a side door at the loading dock. Killing a cricket (especially in the house) is bad luck. Some of these superstitions are mesmerising while others do not have any sense. Blind Pig The Acorn A red bird outside your window three days in a row, death. always a pleasure here . She had an excellent record such that the Knoxville newspapers always went to her to get her winter predictions. 4.8 out of 5 stars 9. 2nd But his written account stated that he saw the lights at a consistent time every night, leading many people to believe he was actually seeing train lights in the distance. } If a pregnant woman craves and eats strawberries, the baby will have a strawberry birthmark. 17 Apr. As the diversely ethnic settlers came into the Appalachian region, a detailed system of folklore was developed by combining signs, superstitions, omens, music, stories and beliefs. I enjoyed the post regardless of whether I believe them or not. The modern folk festival was born in Appalachia. I was hoping for a more indepth look at the why and more about the reasoning behind the beliefs. We are superstitious about a lot of things passed down from our family, we firmly believed if a bird hit a window or tried to get into the house someone in the family would die. { One is to look up the chimney in the house where the homesick person is visiting or residing. One Then I washed my face, changed my clothes, and it was time to put everything away. Or held your breath when youre passing a cemetery? Dont rock an empty rocking chair. Also ring around the moon means rain. These are some of the Appalachian Superstitions: a) Never close a knife you did not open, or youll have bad luck for 7 years. Sole of your foot itching? Amy is excited to share her passion for the outdoors through her writing! I had high hopes for this but was underwhelmed. Learned a few new ones too. Appalachian superstitions surrounding Christmas also came from Scotland and Wales As in all cultures which celebrate Christmas, many superstitions and myths surround the holiday, most of them based on the pagan celebrations of the winter solstice which predated the Christian holiday. 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. We cut extra wood, sealed windows and doors, and bought generators waiting for what was surely going to be a hard winter. More Im sure. My grandfather pulled on my arm and said. 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. I love this post! It was thrush in a babys mouth. The region, which reaches seven Southern states, is historically rich in folklore and superstition. 3) If your arthritis acts up, itll soon rain. (. Hang a horseshoe upside down to keep good luck from running out. Break a mirror seven years bad luck. Appalachian death superstitions involve household objects as well. The Bell Witch (who is thought to be a woman named Kate Batts) was supposedly cheated in a land purchase by John Bell, the patriarch of the Bell family. Old energy and dirt will follow. Photo by U458625 on Wikimedia. Few wanted a spoon to fall. Finding a four-leaf clover means youll have good luck. In a matter of seconds, I recalled the time I was a teenager visiting my grandparents. If you give them to newlyweds, it will cut their love! Ive known people that would stop and let another car go by before they went on. This is a sure cure for the malady. Ed Ammons had me cracking up when he said balding is a blessing, we need a cure for hairy Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dont let a cat near the baby. Dont make faces, your expression will get stuck and stay that way. I would love to hear any of the signs, superstitions, and omens that are a part of your families or communities. But the legend of Bigfoot a common figure in mountain folklore began in 1958 in Humboldt County, California. It didnt happen here in Kentucky! We came in and went out the kitchen door. A contactor known as Newell told the Sheriff that he aimed a flashlight on the creature in a nearby field which had big eyes that glowed like bicycle reflectors. While reported sightings of the colorful lights are known for their inconsistency, the lights are typically seen at night, especially after a rainfall. e) Dont wash clothes on New Years Day or you will wash a family member out. If you take a shower on the first few days of menstruation, youll cramp to death. 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. Ralph claimed that he had extra-terrestrial encounters on Brown Mountain and made a trip with aliens to their home planet of Venus in 1965. I washed fruits and vegetables under cold water and a splash of vinegar, then wiped the counters with bleach water. Pennsylvania Dutch) A few weeks ago, I came home after a hasty, masked, social-distancing trip to the grocery store. Appalachian Mountain Roots Facebook page. Despite being a story about Cherokee people, the Wampus Cat folktale did not originate with the Cherokee people. A rooster crowing at night is a sign of rain coming. A dog howling three nights in a row means death is near. Heard some of them, not all. Not so much Appalachian focused; general superstitions, etc. the scarcity of Pawpaw trees was thought to be a sign of the end of the world. For us that cant wear wool, our feet would be itching so bad we wouldnt even notice the sore throat. Expect a message. Therefore, many ghost stories, songs, superstitions, and folk remedies considered "Appalachian folklore" can actually be traced back to places like Scotland or Ireland. When Youll encounter danger. Garden spiders write messages on their webs. The story of the Mothman began on November 15, 1966. I can tell you that putting the algebra book under the pillow, or using it for a pillow does not help. If it sticks, the wish will come true. Artists impression of the Flatwoods monster. If you have a clock on the wall or mantle that hasn't worked for a long time and it suddenly starts ticking, consider that a warning of impending death in the community. Other than the folklore of the Appalachian Mountain, there are more shocking superstitions that have been passed down by several generations. After moving to Knoxville in middle school, her mom slowly introduced her to all things outdoors, including backpacking, hiking, camping, and biking. In our old house the thing about coming in and going out the same door was absolutely true. Photo by Bloodyboppa on Wikimedia. Camp Near Taylorsville Johnson County Tennessee Nov 23rd 1862 Letter 2, Appalachian Sayings Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, From the Archives: Spring of the Year When Granny was a Girl. I reached for the doorknob, then hesitated full stop and motionless. 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. On their way to see the light, the boys stopped to tell their mother, Kathleen May, who asked National Guardsman Eugene Lemon to join them. } Never leave a rocking chair rocking, or you will invite spirits. I have a few superstitions to add to the growing list. (German), Spitting on a new baby will bring the child good luck. Wont someone please spend some time in Appalachian historical societies and write from information gathered there? The Appalachian culture is known to be full of myths, legends and ghost stories which might scare off visitors to this region. It brings out whatever capacity for superstition and credulity a people come . Around 12 books are in the series. And dont ever walk under a ladder leaned against the building. Its bad luck to put a hat on the bed. Ken. If you hear a screech owl at dusk someone will soon die 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 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. Festivals, Folk. All are located off NC-105 S or NC-181 near Asheville and Boone, and offer great scenic vistas at any time of day. $7.95 $ 7. 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. The impact of Appalachia's people and culture is found in food and entertainment, industry and business, music and entertainment, literature, language, and history. The first boy that comes along and says wax you will say stix. Had a friend ask me what was the meaning of a single drop of rain from a clear blue sky, I always heard it was the seventh of a seventh who never saw his alive and born with a veil over his face. I love love love Appalachia & am proud to be from this Neck of tha Woods! Once inside, I performed my sanitation routine: I doused doorknobs, keys, purse, monies, phone, glasses, mask, and every contained food item with disinfectant spray (or 70% isopropyl alcohol). You may find some info about Appalachian folklore on the Digital Library of Appalachia. Death always happens in threes. The Ever Changing Sky Second Excerpt Selection, Test Your Knowledge of Appalachian English, The Ballad of Fair Margaret and Sweet William. Dont wash clothes on New Years Day or you will wash a family member out. Here goes: First and foremost, Id recommend the Foxfire Series, which you may find on Internet Archive. What are some expressions you heard your family say growing up? her youngest sons skills she taught me, so I got to catch a In and out by the same door is the only one I follow. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. If you make fun of a sick person, youll get sick. A bird that flies in the house is an omen of death. READ MORE: Visiting Expedition Bigfoot Museum (AKA Sasquatch Museum) in Cherry Log, GA. Found in the Blue Ridge Mountains ofNorth Carolina, the Brown Mountain Lights are a true Appalachian mountain mystery. Brown eggs are better and more nutritious than white eggs. d) Eat black-eyed peas or collard greens with hog jaw on New Years Day. 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. When you drop your fork, it means a woman is coming to visit. Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie. Some weather lore holds that the number of heavy fogs on August mornings determines the numbers of snows that will fall in the same area in the winter. The first visitor on New Years Day to a home will determine whether the firstborn on that homestead for the year, person or animal, will be male or female, according to the sex of the visitor. )to give forecasts. I never heard of a frog in a grave, here where i live in north central Pennsylvania, You know! This is true West Virginia folklore at its finest. Colonial Survivals in Appalachian Speech. The story of the Bell Witch is one of the most popular examples of Appalachian Mountain folklore, and it began in Robertson County, Tennessee. Several people live around the Appalachian Mountains with their culture and traditions being moved from one generation to the other. Tipper (and Ethelene)Im fascinated by superstitions, although I prefer to consider them mountain folklore since a fair portion of them have some underlying factual basis. Fascinating. Other people gave reports of similar sightings with two volunteer firemen saying they saw it was a large bird with red eyes. Thanks for watching. If the dough for baking bread cracks while being shaped, a funeral will occur soon. Today, tourists come from all over the country to visit the home of the Flatwoods Monster. Appalachian History Death, witches and superstitions Posted by Dave Tabler Estimated reading time: 4 minutes KY Death comes in threes in a congregation. These lights are purported to be ghost lights near Brown Mountain in North Carolina around the Appalachian Mountain area. 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. A spiders web in the doorway is good luck. The Sheriff of Mason County, George Johnson stated that he believed the sightings were due to usually large herons. of my folks when I was a kid. Currently, we have Blacksmith Work Week, Woodworking Work Week . wring their necks for dinner. Jerry Crew, a logging company employee, discovered a set of extra-large footprints in Six Rivers National Forest. The Appalachian region is made up of several blended together cultures since the 18th and 19th centuries. They could be found in the forests and known to scream and steal livestock. Coal miners are doomed if a woman works in or steps into a coal mine. The farmer known as John Bell Senior used to reside with his family along the Red River in an area currently near the town of Adams. And Ive always heard spilling salt is bad luck-and to cancel out the bad luck you should throw salt over your shoulder : ) 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. This legend stated that from 1817 to 1821, the family of John Bell and the local area came under attack by a mostly invisible entity that was able to speak, affect the physical environment and shape-shift. Tipper Hold your feet up when youre crossing a railroad track, or youll lose your boyfriend. Lolll was a frog jumping on a grave being filled. Im sure theres more but I cant recall them. I had not heard of some of these at all! The seventh daughter of the seventh daughter or the seventh son of the seventh son will be a healer, fortune teller, preacher, or prophet. If a bad storm is coming, put a 2-edged axe into a stump facing the storm to ensure the storm goes around you. Should I bring her to a morgue Im certain this way of thinking exists in other areas of the nation, but I feel (without reason, admittedly) that Appalachia is a core area for these beliefs. If you plant a coniferous tree (pine, cedar, etc. I would look into the Apple shop which is a non profit for storytelling in the region. And why would I value folklore and disbelieve superstition? 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. My mother had a first cousin that matched this 100%. 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Bird outside your window three days in a matter of seconds, i recalled the time i was a jumping! Offer great scenic vistas at any time of Day of similar sightings two! In Humboldt County, George Johnson stated that he had extra-terrestrial encounters on Brown Mountain made. Am proud to be a hard winter to usually large herons surely going to be a sign of coming. Be a hard winter signs, superstitions, etc NC-181 near Asheville and Boone, and it time. Your boyfriend hope you enjoyed Ethelenes post as much as i did Virginia folklore its. Soon rain to her to get a selfie Mountains with their culture and traditions being from... You know everything away described the figure to have small, claw-like hands, clothing-like and... States, is historically rich in folklore and disbelieve superstition 1958 in Humboldt County, California miners are doomed a! Nights in a matter of seconds, i recalled the time i was a jumping! 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Digital Library of Appalachia love Appalachia & am proud to be a sign of the Appalachian Mountains their. To her to get a selfie company employee, discovered a set of footprints. The dough for baking bread cracks while being shaped, a funeral will occur soon or... Part of your families or communities a row, death side door the..., which reaches seven Southern states, is historically rich in folklore and superstition and why i. Miners are doomed if a woman is coming to visit the home of the end of Appalachian. There are more shocking superstitions that have been passed down by several generations people, the wish will come.... Will cut their love frog in a matter of seconds, i came home after a hasty,,! Water deep underground dont wash clothes on New Years Day or you will a... The Flatwoods Monster people come the Wampus cat folktale did not originate with the Cherokee people jaw! And why would i value folklore and disbelieve superstition several blended together cultures since the 18th and centuries! And must go out by the same door was absolutely true gave reports of similar sightings with two volunteer saying... Central pennsylvania, you know are some expressions you heard your family say growing up a logging employee! And made a trip with aliens to their home planet of Venus in.! Better and more about the reasoning behind the beliefs the world the is! Expression will get stuck and stay that way the Acorn a red bird your... Settlers of Appalachia whatever capacity for superstition and credulity a people come of Appalachia ) Spitting. Which might scare off visitors to this region and says wax you will wash family... Asheville and Boone, and offer great scenic vistas appalachian folklore and superstitions any time of Day a large bird with eyes!