Should I bring her to a morgue 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.*. . Dont cut a babys hair until after the first birthday or the child will have bad luck. Your email address will not be published. Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions is a first-hand report to enlarge our knowledge of the dulcimer's history by searching the hills and "hollers" of Appalachia, looking at old instruments, and listening to the tales of old folks. I decided to compile a list of these notions Ive heard throughout my life and share them with you. Some versions state that these are threatening creatures which were nocturnal and children were warned against saying the names. Coal miners are doomed if a woman works in or steps into a coal mine. General information on superstitions. An account is needed for most books on the Internet Archive. Links for Book One and Book Two. This one you may have heard before. The seventh daughter of the seventh daughter or the seventh son of the seventh son will be a healer, fortune teller, preacher, or prophet. Some of these legends existed way long before the contemporary stories of Bigfoot. Appalachian death superstitions involve household objects as well. j) Dont let anyone sweep under your feet. So, its called the Judas Tree.. My grandfather helped me compile a list for school (45 years ago). Never take an old broom to a new house. It would be worth seeing if someone dear to the family dies after a dog howls mournfully at night. Eva Nell 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. 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. You might be surprised how widely held this belief is. It was thrush in a babys mouth. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. Unfortunately, this vibrant history is often preserved on vulnerable media. An enslaved person of the Bell family reported being followed by a large black dog on evenings as he visited his wife. READ MORE:The 20 Best Fall Festivals in Georgia. Spin around in a circle three times before you walk in the front door to confuse any spirits that are following you. If a broom falls over for no reason when someone walks past, it is an omen of bad fortune. I have heard the one about being sure to depart through the same door that you arrived through my whole life. If you shudder for no reason, someones walking on your grave. **Just as a disclaimer, these notions are not advice medical or otherwise. 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. Some legend tells about a brutal battle between the Cherokee and Catawba warriors on Brown Mountain which left several warriors dead. Tipper, The festival features guest speakers, live bands, vendors, cosplay, and even a 5K run. Dream of killing a snake, youve either conquered or befriended an enemy. Below is a list of common mountain folklore. I have a few superstitions to add to the growing list. of the things that got my attention, and Ive never heard, Please lord no goitered for me please!!!! It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants . this was such a great post. The bright light made them weak, forcing them to flee into other parts of Appalachia for good. Appalachian culture is full of its own myths, legends, and ghost stories, many of which were made famous by TV shows such as The X-Files and Mountain Monsters. Another popular myth in Appalachian folklore, the Flatwoods Monster originated in Braxton County, West Virginia. If you walk underneath a ladder, its bad luck. wring their necks for dinner. Stop a clock in a room when a person dies. Never leave a baby's washed diapers on the clothesline during a full moon because they will attract evil forces. I have seen that several times not in Appalachia but in the Ozarks. was a frog jumping on a grave being filled. The modern folk festival was born in Appalachia. If you give them to newlyweds, it will cut their love. Here are a couple that have stayed with me. { The lights, claim the legend, are the ghosts of grieving women still searching the mountainside for the bodies of fallen warriors. Hang a horseshoe upside down to keep good luck from running out. Just in case! listeners: [], ville in 1928; the rst graduate folklore program focusing on Appalachian material was established in North Carolina; the Archive of Folk Culture at the Library of Congress was founded on Robert Winslow Gordon's Appalachian collections; and the rst studies in occupational folklore took place in the Appalachian coalelds. The story of the Bell Witch is one of the most popular examples of Appalachian Mountain folklore, and it began in Robertson County, Tennessee. If you eat before bed, youll have bad dreams. I met him a few times when I was younger. Never close a knife you didnt open, or youll have bad luck for 7 years. 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? Ive heard some of these from family. 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. A wild bird in the house means someone's going to die. Very gruesome According to legend, Jackson and his party set up their tents outside of the Bell home. )to give forecasts. In a matter of seconds, I recalled the time I was a teenager visiting my grandparents. There are still claims that the lights seen today are of the spirits of the Catawba women still searching. If you plant a coniferous tree (pine, cedar, etc. If you give them to newlyweds, it will cut their love! His father was was killed in WWII and I believe the veil is also referred to as a caul. Today, tourists come from all over the country to visit the home of the Flatwoods Monster. We want to hear them. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. Vance Randolph, a folklorist described the wampus cat as a kind of amphibious panther which leaps into the water and swims away like a colossal mink. She even forced Betsy to break off her engagement with Joshua Gardner before eventually disappearing for good. If you get shingles all around your body, you'll die. 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. couple of Dominecker Pullets and Dont let a pregnant woman see a dead person or the baby will have a birth mark. The writings of the author are mere opinions (from information that she has gathered from who knows where?). I have never heard that wearing wool socks would cure a sore throat but can certainly understand how this would work Around 12 books are in the series. After John Bells mysterious death in 1820, the Bell Witch continued to haunt his family. forms: { Few wanted a spoon to fall. When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic! Otherwise, youll have bad luck. 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. Thanks again for the terrific read Tipper We need a remedy for hairy. And so with I do so enjoy reading all the folk-lore from days past and unless it is absolutely unavoidable I never go out a different door than the one I came inafter all I am of Pa dutch and german people and many of what was written I grew up with so needless to say I sure did enjoy this post. k) Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. I would look at Ron rash's something rich and strange short stories. I really enjoyed this post. Grandma Polly from Robbinsville N C taught me to cure Athletes foot by wiggling my toes on fresh cow dung. If a butterfly lights on you, it means youre special and will have good luck. They could be found in the forests and known to scream and steal livestock. I would love to hear any of the signs, superstitions, and omens that are a part of your families or communities. While they may not be as widely practiced today, these myths and mountain folklore were passed down by countless generations. I have heard quite a few of these, but not all of them. Then I washed my face, changed my clothes, and it was time to put everything away. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Strangeways Brewing, which has locations in Richmond and Fredericksburg, Virginia brews a beer named after the Wampus Cat, the Wampus Cat Triple IPA. Its bad luck because it was believed pigs cant swim. If it sticks, the wish will come true. But first I have to say I was cracking up laughing at some of the comments above. Legend tells of a brutal battle betweenCherokee and Catawba warriorson Brown Mountain,which left many dead on the battlefield. a rabbits foot is lucky and will protect from evil spirits. And dont ever walk under a ladder leaned against the building. If you hold in a sneeze, itll cause your brains to bleed. Instead, the name came from the Goldsboro News-Argusnewspaper in North Carolina. The Appalachian culture is widely known for its superstitions, myths, legends and folklore. Thanks, Ethelene!! One of the stories given by a priest in 1721 stated that these huge creatures used to stalk them at night. 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 figure made terrifying hissing sounds and glided towards them which made Lemon drop his flashlight making the group run for safety. I bet iffen that Jim feller aint one a them Prevaricating Politicians aready hed make a goodern. Today most of the time the superstitions are said in a joking manner. John tried to fire at the animal but it mysteriously disappeared. What are some expressions you heard your family say growing up? Todays Guest Post was written by Ethelene Dyer Jones. My sister Miki has a goiter!! Just to get the child to eat some stolen milk or food was considered a sure cure. Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones. It brings out whatever capacity for superstition and credulity a people come . If you dont look upon a dead family member (or another person whos close to you), you wont believe the person died and youll go insane. A sore on the tongue is a sign youve lied. A UFO writer, Gray Barker described the Flatwoods Monster as 10 feet tall, with a round blood-red face, a large pointed hood-like shape around the face, eye-like shapes which emitted greenish-orange light and a dark black or green body. p.s. To cure a sore or wound, let a dog lick it. This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. If a bird finds some of your cut hair and makes a nest, itll cause you to have a headache (or death, depending on who tells it). Prior to the 20th century, Bigfoot was known by names like Sasquatch (a Salish word meaning wild-men) or Yeti (in Himalayan folklore). The plaque says, These people are said to have been unable to see during certain phases of the moon. This could have been so much more. When I asked my Tennessee-based family about the most common Appalachian superstitions, I was shocked by how many we still practice today. (Think Adam and Eve.). The Wampus Cat (a.k.a. PS. YOUR NOTES WERE VERY HELPFUL!!! Celebrating and Preserving the The name was also used for a mythical creature in J.K. Rowlings Pottermore story, The History of Magic in North America., READ MORE:The 15 Best Things to Do in SWVA (Southwest Virginia). This short film interviews three elderly Appalachian women and documents their experiences and stories of the region. Another ghost story about the lights includes one about a Revolutionary War soldier linked to the Civil War ghosts. Letting an infant see themselves in a mirror before 1st birthday is bad luck Every time you pop or crack your knuckles, they grow. Its bad luck. If you drop a knife, a man is coming to visit. After Johnston experienced the spirit first-hand, word quickly began to spread. })(); There are tons of things I could tell you about myself, but all you really need to know is I'm crazy in love with my home in Appalachia-the people, the food, the music, the colorful language, the sustainable lifestyle, the history, the soaring mountains, and the deep dark hollers. Tingling or itching ears are a sign that someone is talking about you. . When Ive known people that would stop and let another car go by before they went on. Lolll Sounds like youre between the devil and the deep blue sea., Do you stake your tomatoes? . Now Id call it bad luck if you didnt know about it and maybe if you did. It includes hundreds of whimiscal superstitions as well as folk cures, charms, and chants practiced by the early settlers of Appalachia. The hauntings began sometime between 1817 and 1821, when the Bell Witch would show up disguised as an animal, such as a dog or bird. Have you ever stopped yourself before walking under a ladder? i) Dont walk under a ladder. 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. The story of the Mothman began on November 15, 1966. I have heard most of these superstitions, but then were heavily scots-irish and german around here too! Tipper and Ethelene Popular Native American folklore says that a bloody battle between the Cherokee and Catawba tribes took place on the mountain. When a person dies in a home, open a door for his/her spirit to pass. Do it fast, though! If you cut or shave your hair, itll grow back thicker. Some of these known cultures by the traditional people of the Appalachian may not be widely practised in the present day, but their myths and mountain folklore were passed down through several generations. The practices of river baptisms, snake handling, and folk healing were common in rural Appalachia. Many had to do with death and sickness, an understandable reaction to the dangers of the early days of life in this country. by Jake Richards and Silver RavenWolf. Blind Pig The Acorn 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!) Expect a message. http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com. ;-D Back when children sometimes had seizures, whether from epilepsy or other malady, there was a common belief that if a child has a fit, turn his shirt inside out and burn it. This action was thought to be a sure cure for fits. One Thrash mouth or sometimes known as Thrush is the ailment. An evolutionary step up. If cows are laying down, or leaves are upside down, its going to rain. READ MORE: The 10 Best Haunted Houses inNorth Carolina. Enjoy your posts! 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. This is a sure cure for the malady. Work weeks are a wonderful annual tradition at the John C. Campbell Folk School. ), youll die once it reaches your height. Thanks to Ms. Jones for this guest post. Tales of wild men in the woods date back to ancient times, including indigenous cultures and medieval Europe. Id recommend master the homework. Why take chances? I hope this helps! Descriptions used in the introduction are mostly fictional and I believe many of the folklore, omens, signs and superstitions have originated in the authors own imagination. Appalachian Folklore and Superstitions In the next few weeks on Zoo Fam Podcast, we will be discussing Appalachian Folklore, superstitions, and expressions that are only heard here in the mountains. So we ended on a happy note!!!! I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachians, and other signs or omens from the area weren't included. always a pleasure here . But there's no charm to it unless it's dipped into moonshine poured into a tree stump in a graveyard. Photo by Bloodyboppa on Wikimedia. for me to turn my shoe sole side- If theres a man up that ladder, I DEFINITELY wouldnt walk under it. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { If you say the wrong name in conversation, the named person is thinking about you. Ethelene-Good stuff this morning. Therefore, many ghost stories, songs, superstitions, and folk remedies considered "Appalachian folklore" can actually be traced back to places like Scotland or Ireland. 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