Cherokee Legends & the Trail of Tears
4110-001-007
Product Details
Cherokee Legends & the Trail of Tears by Tom B. Underwood brings together eleven traditional Cherokee legends and a historical account of the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their southeastern homelands in 1838–1839. Adapted from early ethnographic records, this illustrated 32-page booklet includes stories about the creation of the world, animals, nature, and the origins of familiar customs and features of the natural world. The book also includes a separately presented account of the Trail of Tears, offering readers an introduction to both Cherokee storytelling traditions and a defining event in Cherokee history.
Eleven Traditional Cherokee Legends
Discover Cherokee stories explaining how the earth was made, how animals acquired their distinctive characteristics, and how events in the natural world came to be understood through traditional storytelling. The collection includes tales involving the possum, buzzard, hummingbird, crane, mink, rattlesnake, and other familiar creatures.
These stories preserve examples of Cherokee oral traditions that were collected and recorded in earlier historical and ethnographic works. They offer an engaging introduction to Cherokee legends for children, families, and readers interested in Native American folklore.
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Cherokee Legends Included in the Book
The eleven stories include:
- How the Earth Was Made
- The Rattlesnake's Vengeance
- How the Milky Way Came to Be
- Why the Possum's Tail Is Bare
- Ataga'hi, the Magic Lake
- The Race Between the Crane and the Hummingbird
- Why the Buzzard's Head Is Bare
- Why the Mink Smells
- Cherokee Indian Ball Game
- The Katydid's Warning
- The First Fire
These tales illustrate how Cherokee storytellers used animals, humor, observation of nature, and memorable events to communicate ideas and explain the world. Individual versions of traditional stories may vary among storytellers and communities.
The Cherokee Trail of Tears, 1838–1839
In addition to its traditional legends, the booklet presents a separate narrative concerning the forced removal of the Cherokee from their southeastern homelands to Indian Territory, primarily in present-day Oklahoma.
The removal followed years of political pressure, disputed agreements, and federal and state policies that undermined Cherokee sovereignty and land rights. Thousands of Cherokee men, women, and children were forced from their homes, and many died during the removal and its immediate aftermath.
The booklet reproduces a historical narrative traditionally attributed to Private John G. Burnett. Although long presented as an eyewitness account, the authenticity of this particular narrative has been challenged by subsequent historical research. The Cherokee removal itself is extensively documented in other historical records.
Illustrations by Cherokee Artist Amanda Crowe
The original edition features cover artwork and illustrations by Amanda Crowe, an accomplished Cherokee artist, woodcarver, and educator known especially for her expressive animal carvings and her influence on generations of Cherokee craftspeople.
The book's illustrations complement the legends and contribute to its value as an introduction to Cherokee storytelling and cultural history.
About the Illustrator: Amanda Crowe (1928–2004)
The cover design and illustrations for Cherokee Legends & the Trail of Tears were created by Amanda Crowe, an acclaimed artist, sculptor, and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Best known for her expressive woodcarvings of bears and other animals, Crowe combined formal artistic training with a lifelong commitment to Cherokee arts and cultural traditions. Her illustrations bring an authentic Cherokee artistic contribution to this collection of traditional stories and history.
After studying at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree, Crowe returned to Cherokee, North Carolina, in 1953 to teach art and woodcarving. Over nearly four decades, she taught more than 2,000 Cherokee students, helping establish a new generation of accomplished woodcarvers and artists. Her influence extended far beyond her own celebrated sculptures, contributing significantly to the continuation and revitalization of Cherokee woodcarving traditions.
Crowe's involvement makes this booklet especially meaningful. Rather than simply illustrating stories about Cherokee people, it includes the artwork of a Cherokee artist whose own career became an important part of the modern history of Cherokee arts and crafts.
Cherokee Storytelling & Historical Learning
The combination of traditional stories and the account of removal makes this booklet useful for families, educators, and readers beginning to explore Cherokee history and culture.
The legends provide examples of Cherokee explanations of the natural world, while the historical section introduces readers to the displacement and hardships experienced by the Cherokee Nation during the nineteenth century.
The book is best approached as an introductory collection rather than a comprehensive history of the Cherokee people or the Trail of Tears.
Book Details
Tom B. Underwood. Cherokee Legends & the Trail of Tears. Adapted from material associated with the Bureau of American Ethnology's nineteenth annual report. Original edition published in 1956; Cherokee Publications paperback edition. 32 pages, illustrated. Original cover design and illustrations by Amanda Crowe. ISBN 9780935741001.
