History of the United Kituwah Band (OK)

THE LEGEND OF KEETOOWAH

Ani’-Kituhwagi, which means “the people of Kituhwa” is the name which the Cherokee sometimes use to make reference to themselves. There was an ancient city near the present Bryson City, NC named Kituhwa, which was also one of the first places the Cherokee remembered settling. Some traditionalist Cherokee groups, use the commmon English phonetic spelling, Keetoowah, for their groups. A couple of these groups are the Keetoowah Society (followers of traditional religion) and the United Keetoowah Band (a Federally recognized faction of predominantly full blood Cherokees).

One of the old stories tells how the Cherokee may have originated from South America or an island in that area. It tells of a land that was surrounded by water that was undrinkable; how they sacrificed from temples; how the earth shook and the mountain tops opened up and fire spew forth and how the land then began to sink into the water. Then the long journey toward the north began. The people had seven traveling groups so as to insure survival. They called themselves, Aniyvwiya, “The Principal People” - The Cherokees.

A warrior group, called Aniwahya - “The Wolf Clan” were in charge of things of the earth. When they weren’t in battle, they were the potters, pipe makers, etc. Another clan was known as Anikiloi - meaning “Stranger” today. In the beginning they were called Anigilohi - “The Long Hair People”. They were the teachers, priests, and keepers of ancient lore. They taught the aliens or new and adopted ones to be true Cherokee. A clan known as Anitsisqua - “The Bird People” were the messengers. The Anikawi - “The Deer People” were the makers of clothing. Anisahoni - “The Blue People” were the builders. “The Paint People” known as, Aniwodi, were the medicine men and keepers of the ancient secrets. Sequoyah was a member of the Aniwodi. The last group was called Anigodagewi - “The Wild Potato People” also known as the Bear Clan, Raccoon Clan or Blind Savannah Clan. This group dug out the potatoes, were the ball players and game keepers. The legend goes on to say that after they left the ground where they were sank under the sea. Anthropologists believe that at least some of this legend is true since their discovery that basket and pottery styles of the Cherokee resemble those of South American and Caribbean tribes. These styles are different from the other tribes of the Southeast U.S., giving even more credence to the legend.

This is how the people left their land and journey north. They told of crossing fertile land where many stayed and built towns and spoke an ancient language - where there was hot sand and little water - and how they had to cross four great rivers. The first one they crossed (perhaps the Rio Grande) ran from toward where the sun went down and towards where the sun came up. Great beasts with humps on their backs were seen - some were killed for food, clothing and shelter. Yet another river (perhaps the Red River) ran from west to east. Here there were small mountains that were covered with trees. Another river (maybe the Arkansas) ran from between where the cold came down and where the sun went down - northwest - to between where they sun came up and where they had come from - southeast. Here the rain turned white and covered the ground. Here they camped so the seers could look into the future.