Santeetla—the present map name of a creek joining Cheowa river in Graham county, North Carolina, and of a smaller tributary (Little Santeetla). The name is not recognized or understood by the Cherokee, who insist that it was given by the whites. Little Santeetla is known to the Cherokee as Tsundaʻnilti′yĭ, q. v.; the main Santeetla creek is commonly known as Nâgu′hĭ geyûñ′ĭ, “Sand-place stream,” from Nûyu′hiĭ, “Sand place” (nâyŭ, sand), a former settlement just above the junction of the two creeks.
Sara—see Ani′-Suwa′lĭ.
sa′sa′—goose; an onomatope.
Sautee—see Itsâ′tĭ.
Savannah—the popular name of this river is derived from that of the Shawano Indians, formerly living upon its middle course, and known to the Cherokee as Ani′-Sawănu′gĭ, q. v., to the Creeks as Savanuka, and to some of the coast tribes of Carolina as Savanna. In old documents the river is also called Isundiga, from Iʻsû′nigû or Seneca, q. v., an important former Cherokee settlement upon its upper waters. See [number 99].
Sawănu′gĭ—“Shawano” (Indian); a masculine personal name upon the East Cherokee reservation and prominent in the history of the band. See Anĭ′-Sawănu′gĭ and Kâ′lahû′.
Sawnook—see Kâ′lahû′.
Sehwate′yĭ—“Hornet place,” from se′hwatû, hornet, and yĭ, locative. Cheowa Maximum and Swim bald, adjoining bald peaks at the head of Cheowa river, Graham county, North Carolina. See [number 122].
selu—corn; sometimes called in the sacred formulas Agawe′la, “The Old Woman.” See [number 126].
sel-utsĭ′ (for selu-utsĭ′)—“corn’s mother,” from selu, corn and utsĭ′, his mother (etsĭ′ or agitsĭ′, my mother); the bead-corn or Job’s-tears (Coix lacryma). See [number 126].