About this belief system
Cherokee culture refers to the shared spiritual beliefs of the Cherokee peoples indigenous to the southeastern United States (primarily North Carolina).
Top myths
 | |
| Dayuni'si (Water Beetle) Genesis | |
| Creation myth | |
| Unknown author | |
| Read myth | |
Top deities
Background
According to the Cherokee Nation website, many native Cherokees practice some form of Christianity, while a few follow traditional tribal beliefs.[1]
Today the majority of Cherokees practice some denomination of Christianity, with Baptist and Methodist the most common. However, a significant number of Cherokees still observe and practice older traditions, meeting at stomp grounds in local communities to hold stomp dances and other ceremonies. The stomp grounds are private; participation is almost always restricted to those who already practice traditional ceremonies and are part of those communities. They are by invitation only.[2]
Cherokee Nation is one of several other native American groups that are formally organized and recognized by the United States government.
Notes
Cherokee myths: A-Z
- Dayuni'si (Water Beetle) Genesis Creation myth
Nuthsell
The earth was a floating island in the water, held up by cords to each of the four cardinal points of the sky. It was crowded and they knew the world would fall soon. Our earth came about when Dâyuni'sï (Beaver's Grandchild), the Water beetle from Gälûñ'lätï, the sky realm, came to see what was below the water. The beetle dove in the water, pulled up mud, and the mud expanded into the earth we have today. The other animals soon followed and the first humans were a brother and sister. After being hit with a fish, the sister was told to reproduce and did so by giving birth to a child every seven days.
Cherokee deities: A-Z
- Dâyuni'sï Cherokee · 1 myth
Dâyuni'sï was a water beetle involved with creation in some Cherokee traditions.
Cite this page
OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Cherokee." OMNIKA – World Mythology Index, OMNIKA Foundation, 08 Aug. 2019, omnika.org/stable/259. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
OMNIKA (2019, August 08). Cherokee. Retrieved from https://omnika.org/stable/259
OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Cherokee." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created August 08, 2019. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://omnika.org/stable/259.
