Datsu′nălâsgûñ′yĭ—Shining rock. See note under [number 81], “Tsulʻkălû′.”
Fast seven days—This injunction of a seven days’ fast upon those who would join the spirit people appears in several Cherokee myths, the idea being, as we learn from the priests, to spiritualize the human nature and quicken the spiritual vision by abstinence from earthly food. The doctrine is exemplified in an incident of the legend of Tsuwe′năhĭ, q. v. In a broader application, the same idea is a foundation principle of every ancient religion. In ordinary Cherokee ceremonial the fast is kept for one day—i. e., from midnight to sunset. On occasions of supreme importance it continues four or even seven days. Among the plains tribes those who voluntarily enter the Sun dance to make supplication and sacrifice for their people abstain entirely from food and drink during the four days and nights of the ceremony.
The Thunders—See [number 3], “Kana′tĭ and Selu” and notes, and [number 8], “The Moon and the Thunders,” with notes.
[83.] Tsuwe′năhĭ, a legend of Pilot knob (p. [343]): This story, from Swimmer, is of the same order as the legends of Tsulʻkălû′, Kăna′sta, etc. The people whom the hunter met inside the enchanted mountain are evidently the same described in the last-named story ([number 82]), with the guests from the lost settlement.
The name Tsuwe′năhĭ can not be translated, but may possibly have, a connection with uwe′năhĭ, “rich.”
Kanu′ga and Tsuwaʻtel′da—See notes under [number 81], “Tsulʻkălû′,” and [number 82], “Kana′sta.”
Parched corn—This was the standard provision of the warrior when on the march among all the tribes east of the Mississippi and probably among all the corn-growing tribes of America. It is the pinole of the Tarumari and other Mexican tribes. The Cherokee call it găhăwĭ′sita. Hawkins thus describes it as seen with his Cherokee guides in 1796: “They are small eaters, use no salt and but little bread. They carry their parched corn meal, wissactaw, and mix a handful in a pint of water, which they drink. Although they had plenty of corn and fowls, they made no other provision than a small bag of this for the path. I have plenty of provisions and give them some at every meal. I have several times drank of the wissactaw, and am fond of it with the addition of some sugar. To make of the best quality, I am told the corn should first be boiled, then parched in hot ashes, sifted, powdered, and made into flour.”[43]
The seat was a turtle—This incident also occurs in [number 84], “The Man who Married the Thunder’s Sister.” The species meant is the săligu′gĭ or common water turtle.
Like dogs’ paws—No reason is given for this peculiarity, which is nowhere else mentioned as a characteristic of the mountain spirits.
Old tobacco—Tsâl-agăyûñ′li, “ancient tobacco,” the Nicotiana rustica, sacred among all the eastern tribes. See [number 6], “How they Brought back the Tobacco,” and [number 126], “Plant Lore.”