An Analysis

By:
Dyah Ayu Setyorini
Melenia Savhira
Nickie Marinka
James Mooney
James Mooney (1861-192l1) was born and grew
up in Indiana. His formal education was limited
to the public schools of the city. He became a
self-taught expert on American Indian tribes by
his own studies and his careful observation
during long residences with different groups,
including the Cherokee. Mooney was
recognized as a national expert on the
American Indian.
Summary - What is it about?
● Cherokee tribe’s creation myth
● Everything is made from water and will return back to
water
● The earth is a small island, hanging down from the sky
by four cords at its cardinal points
● Land contours were made by the great buzzard
● How the sun works
● How living creatures gain their unique abilities
● The existence of an underworld
● How human ‘breeds’
HOW THE WORLD WAS MADE IN ORAL LIT
HTWWM IN ORAL LIT
● Function
- Reflection of culture
- Elements of ritual/tradition
- To maintain/preserve their culture, values
- To unite the members
Main Idea
Symbol
- The number four represents all the familiar forces,
also represented in the four cardinal directions.
These directions are east, west, north and south.
Certain colors are also associated with these directions.

- The number seven represents the seven clans of the Cherokee

and also associated with directions. The number seven also
represents the height of purity and sacredness
Symbol
1. The Great Buzzard
- Buzzards are viewed negatively in most Native American tribes.
In some tribes, they are seen as unclean and associated with death.
- However, In this myth, there was a Great Buzzard and it symbolizes strength.

2. Owl
- Traditional Cherokee Indians are leery of many owls.
They believe that evil spirits,ghosts and witches can appear in the body of an owl.
- The owl had a very different meaning for indigenous tribes of the Northwest.
The owl was considered benevolent.
Symbol

3. Panther
- In some Western tribes, seeing a cougar or hearing its screams is an evil omen,
and cougars are often associated with witchcraft.
- On the other hand, among eastern tribes cougars were considered
noble animals with powerful hunting medicine.

4. Water Beetle
- Water-beetle plays a crucial role in the creation of Earth
Conclusion
In “How The World Was Made”, the Cherokee people displayed their views about nature by using
creatures. Their purpose of giving this myth is to depict their social manner and their belief. From
this myth, the relationship between the Cherokee people and nature is clear. The Cherokee respect
all creatures in the world. The Cherokee people respect animals because according to this myth, the
Cherokee could not exist in the world without animals.
Sources
https://cherokee.org/About-The-Nation/Culture/General/The-Traditional-Belief-System

https://www.aaanativearts.com/cherokee/cherokee-culture.htm

https://www.theclassroom.com/cherokee-beliefs-owls-5634.html

http://www.native-languages.org/legends-cougar.htm\

http://www.native-languages.org/legends-buzzard.htm

https://americanandnature.wordpress.com/tag/cherokee-people-2/

http://www.native-languages.org/legends-beetle.htm