Cherokee Gods
Asgaya Gigagei
The Red Man or Woman evoked in spells to cure the ill. Asgaya Gigagei
is either male or female, depending on the sex of the patient.
Kanati
"The Lucky Hunter." Sometimes called First Man. He lives with his wife Selu ("Corn") in the east where the sun rises, and their sons, the Twin Thunder Boys, live in the west.
Ocasta
"Stonecoat." The name comes from his coat which was made of pieces
of flint. Equally good and evil, Ocasta was one of the Creator's
helpers. Ocasta created witches and drifted from village to village
stirring up turmoil. Some women trapped Ocasta, pinning him to the
ground with a stick through his heart. The men cremated the dying
Ocasta, who while burning on his funeral pyre taught them songs
and dances for hunting, fighting wars and healing. Some of the men
were granted great power and became the first medicine men.
Selu
"Corn." Sometimes known as First Woman. Kanati's wife. Selu created
corn in secret by rubbing her belly or by defecating. Her sons,
the Twin Thunder Boys, killed her when they spied upon her and decided
she was a witch.
Sun
A goddess. When Sun's daughter was bitten by a snake and taken to
the Ghost Country, Sun hid herself in grief. The world was ever
dark, and Sun's tears became a flood. At last the Cherokee sent
their young men and women to heal Sun's grief, which they did with
singing and dancing.
Twin Thunder Boys
The sons of Kanati and Selu. Kanati and Selu live in the east, the
Twin Thunder Boys live in the west. When thunder sounds, the boys
are playing ball.
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Native American Legends A-B