So we ended on a happy note!!!! callback: cb When I asked my Tennessee-based family about the most common Appalachian superstitions, I was shocked by how many we still practice today. If you think of someone while shaking it, that person will come. On September 12, 1952, Edward May, Freddie May, Neil Nunley, and Tommy Hyer were playing at Flatwoods Elementary when they spotted a light shooting across the sky. Dont cut your babys hair before their first birthday. When it was time for me to leave, I rose to exit out the front door. I love learning about folklore and superstitions of the Appalachian Mountains. 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. Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones. Fascinating. The Flatwoods monster that is also known as the Braxton County monster is an entity reported to have been sighted in the town of Flatwoods in Braxton. Few wanted a spoon to fall. PS Daddy wasnt stupid. Some of these superstitions are mesmerising while others do not have any sense. If you touch a dead person, you wont dream of him/her. The living room door, for a long time, opened to nothing. 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. } Blowing smoke in the ear cures an earache. The writings of the author are mere opinions (from information that she has gathered from who knows where?). Its bad luck to put a hat on the bed. 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. This years festival will be held on May 13 & 14, 2022. Shows how much I know! The impact of Appalachia's people and culture is found in food and entertainment, industry and business, music and entertainment, literature, language, and history. Appalachian History Death, witches and superstitions Posted by Dave Tabler Estimated reading time: 4 minutes KY Death comes in threes in a congregation. Expect a message. 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. Are you superstitious? Maybe most of us would say, No! Yet we grew up in an area where certain superstitious sayings were often repeated and believed by some people. Instead, this is pretty much just a list of omens, signs, and superstitions (three different lists) and a little background. The legend holds that a Cherokeefemale was cursed by tribal elders for witnessing a sacred pre-hunt ceremony. PS. (. 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. The Appalachian ghost story eventually became famous enough to reach General Andrew Jackson. Dogs get them from eating cats! Better safe than sorry, right? Wonder what that means? Never take a pig on a boat. Several stories about the moon-eyed people attributed to Cherokee tradition are mentioned by early European settlers in America. While they may not be as widely practiced today, these myths and mountain folklore were passed down by countless generations. Your email address will not be published. Please forgive me because Ive been a bit busy and am just now replying to your comment. get my head peeled, and daddys Thanks again for the terrific read Tipper So the X is mild Superstition. http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com. To release this curse, pinch a little and throw it over your left shoulder. If a pregnant woman carries low, the babys a girl (or vice versa, depending on whos saying it). If you hear a screech owl at dusk someone will soon die Then I washed my face, changed my clothes, and it was time to put everything away. If you have a candle that is hard to light, it is a sign that rain is on the way. This is true West Virginia folklore at its finest. Some of these legends existed way long before the contemporary stories of Bigfoot. APPALACHIAN FOLKLORE GUIDE The Bell Witch Bigfoot The Brown Mountain Lights The Flatwoods Monster The Moon-Eyed People The Moth-man The Wampus Cat Appalachian Superstitions READ MORE: The 15 Best Fall Festivals in Georgia Bell Witch Signs, photo by BRad06 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 1. Ken. After John Bells mysterious death in 1820, the Bell Witch continued to haunt his family. If a broom falls over for no reason when someone walks past, it is an omen of bad fortune. 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. 'Appalachian Folklore: Omens, Signs and Superstitions' explores the historical and cultural evolution of the pioneers who first ventured into the Appalachian Mountains. Its bad luck to sweep dirt out your door. Unfortunately, this vibrant history is often preserved on vulnerable media. The Appalachians are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, and were at one time higher in elevation than the Himalayas are today. I love this topic! All images and content are subject to copyright and are the sole property of Blind Pig & The Acorn. Ethelene: You sure enlightened me with some new beliefs from our past. Tickling a babys feet will make him stutter. For example, if wooly worms or extra fuzzy, or if the black stripe is thicker than usual, it will be a colder winter than normal. The region, which reaches seven Southern states, is historically rich in folklore and superstition. Heard some of them, not all. Love reading about superstitions and folklore. It didnt happen here in Kentucky! Given that, this list might call some to your mind. These superstitions in these mountains are endless to say the least. If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you will rule your partner. The Bell Witch Never give someone a set of knives as a gift. her youngest sons skills she taught me, so I got to catch a Today you can celebrate this mythical Appalachian monster at the Bigfoot Festival in Marion NC. If the wedding ring is dropped during the ceremony, who ever dropped it will be the first one to die. 17 Apr. If you go outside in winter without a coat, youll get sick. Over the next few weeks, I plan on sharing some of these signs, superstitions, and omens and hope that you will be willing to share any that have been passed on in your families and communities. He just smiled and said, Its just a superstition. Two brothers, Edward and Fred May and their friend Tommy Hyer reported having spotted a bright object cross the sky and land on the property of a local farmer on 12th September 1952 at 7:15 p.m. A dog howling three nights in a row means death is near. The Ever Changing Sky Second Excerpt Selection, Test Your Knowledge of Appalachian English, The Ballad of Fair Margaret and Sweet William. Appalachian Folklore, Wives' Tales and Superstitions. This system was passed down orally through the years and practiced as a way of keeping the folklore alive. An old belief is that if the textbook of the troublesome subject is placed under the students pillow at night, by morning he/she will know that subject. 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. If you sweep underneath a single persons feet, he or she will never marry. But there's no charm to it unless it's dipped into moonshine poured into a tree stump in a graveyard. 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. Tingling or itching ears are a sign that someone is talking about you. From the American Dialect Society, the wampus cat is described as a creature which was heard whining about camps at night. A dogs mouth is cleaner than a humans mouth. A man who wipes his hands on a girl's apron is sure to fall in love with her. So, its called the Judas Tree.. Not so much Appalachian focused; general superstitions, etc. If you sleep on your left side (near the heart), youll have nightmares. Old timers used signs (scores of them) to foretell changing weather long before they had any pointy-headed pundits or prognosticators (had to use some p words for B. Dont wash clothes on New Years Day or you will wash a family member out. Another one has two meanings May described the figure to have small, claw-like hands, clothing-like folds and a head that resembled the ace of spades. Some Common Folklore and Superstitions Held Among Mountain Folk written by Ethelene Dyer Jones Hard to remember. For more information on this infamous Appalachian monster, visit the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, where you can take a selfie with the massive Mothman statue displayed prominently outside. I love this post! Is one of your children having trouble with a subject in school? My grand parents raised me and this is what she used to tell me, Sharon-no I never hear that one. Theres a 3-foot- tall sculpture of two conjoined figures thought to represent Moon-Eyed People,which was found in the early 1840s. The Wampus Cat (a.k.a. If you make fun of a sick person, youll get sick. Its bad luck. Itll take the babys breath. I was about 10, one Sunday our When the creature hissed at them, they fled. It gives you good luck. Anyway here are a couple of superstitions that have been passed down through my family Now I can really be afraid of everything. P.s. Whether we believe in their efficacy or not, they are interesting to read and think about. Otherwise, spirits might get angry. Ones own Pee, bout a spoonful in the ear. all the stuff I had on my pantsleg 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. Don't throw your hair out! Blind Pig The Acorn A combination of folk magic, faith healing, and superstitions, granny magic was often the only source of aid for people in remote, isolated regions. Avoid walking atop graves as a sign of respect. Tipper, If a rooster crows at a burial, the one whos buried is a sinner. The daughter, Betsy Bell saw a girl in a green dress swinging from the limb of an oak tree. 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