U’tlun’ta (Hoo-tl-oon-ah), more commonly known as Spearfinger, comes from a Chreokee tale about a witch who preyed upon young children. While origins of this witch are varied as tales often are after being passed down through generations, it is generally told that her origin was caused by a higher power, such as a punishment due to a person’s arrogance, or a lightning strike to a pile of rocks on the side of the Chilhowee Mountain.
With flies gathering or birds fleeing in alarm as an indicator of her presence, she is marked by her signature stone body, which arrows are ineffective against, and her and a sharp, spear-like finger, usually made of stone or obsidian. As the legend goes, she would lure young children to her (and their doom) using her shapeshifting abilities and voice mimicry. From there, to sustain her power, she would stab and eat the livers of her victims. This attack would be quick and painless, leaving no mark or scar. Days later, the children whose livers were eaten would suddenly die due to loss of their organ.
Continuing the story, Cherokee hunters set a trap: a deep pit covered in a pile of leaves. From there, they drew her out with fires. Disguised as an old woman, she fell into their trap and hunters began to shoot arrows at her. At first, things looked bleak as the arrows would not penetrate her stone skin. But a miracle came; a chickadee landed on her right hand, indicating her weakness, her heart. One skilled hunter aimed for her wrist, shooting it and separating her heart from her body, which killed her and reduced her to a pile of rubble.
This legend was a warning told to children meant to scare them into believing that people can appear harmless but have bad intentions. The story also signals nature's hidden threats, and how to avoid them. From this, the chickadee became a symbol of truth and its presence near a home indicates a traveler's safe return from a journey.
This is a Cherokee legend and a part of Appalachian folklore. If you would like to submit a legend or monster story from your childhood to be written about, please contact bburdick@stuart-hall.org
B Burdick