The etiological myth that Junaluska translates is short and simple, but reveals a great deal about the purpose of such tales. Not only does this story reveal it s etiological purpose by explaining the origination of the Milky Way and a description of its appearance, but it reveals an even deeper truth (something typical of American Indian etiological myths, at least in my limited experience).
Looking at this photo, it is easy to see why this would be compared with the corn trail left behind by the dog.
The moral of the Milky Way story, at least in my opinion, is that beautiful things can emerge from the most unlikely circumstances. Grinding meal is not an easy task...
This video is a tad long, but it offers a good look at what goes into grinding meal.
I can only imagine after watching the above video how angry someone would be if even a handful were stolen.
The story could also be taken to mean that when justice is served, beauty is restored to the earth. The dog was punished for his theft when the villagers whipped him, and what followed was the spilling of the meal that led to what is now called the Milky Way. If not for the punishment, the beauty of the most famous galaxy known to mankind would not have been know (according to this tale).
The story I chose for this week was quite short, but I was not only fascinated by the tale.
Marie Junaluska
The above link leads to the newsletter that Junaluska translated original letters for. It is an interesting newsletter and could be a great resource for anyone looking at current Cherokee life.
Blue Ridge Heritage Area!
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