Author's Notes
Halito,
The purpose of this storybook is to tell the stories of the Chahata Yakni. Traditional native stories are told orally and passed on from one generation to the next. That being said, I have not changed the stories in any way from the way that I told them. We believe that they should be told in the same way that you were told so they do not lose their meaning or value. However, with many people not knowing the traditional language, I feel that it is important to tell the stories from my heritage in a way that is easy to understand. That is why I choose to physically write them out in a storybook form. The stories I have provided were orally to me; which I will tell my children so they can share them with their children. The three stories I wrote about are considered dark legends and is a mere fraction of the stories that are told from the Chahata Yakni. I hope you enjoyed these stories and connect with your own heritage to pass on your beliefs on as well.
Yakoke
Author's Notes: The Shampe {Shahm-pay}
The shampe is an ogre-like monster that dates back to the beginning of the Chahta people. His body is tall, hairy and broad. He has been described as having a foul smell that is a mixture of skunk and rot. His smell is very known, yet so horrifying to the point that one cannot even stand close to him. The shampe is the most terrifying monster of the Chahata people.
The stories told of the shampe include him taking the kids and other members of the tribe and dragging them deep into the woods. The shampe then takes their bodies to feast on near his cave. He is closely related to the modern Bigfoot Legend.
The picture shown of the Shampe was chosen because there is no known picture of the monster; only stories. His eyes are known to shine bright in the moonlight, and his dark figure shadowing over humans.
Some people believe that the shampe have returned back west to the original Chahata Yakni. However, there have been reports of the smell and the beast still lurking in the woods near the current Chahta people.
It is important to remember that there are no changes that I have done with the story and the story you have read is what I was told from generations before me.
Authors Notes: The Nalusa Falaya (Nah-luss-ah fah-lah-yah)
The Nalusa Falaya is a frightening being that makes his way through the darkness. The Nalusa Falaya got its name from the description that the Chahata people gave of it; Long Black Being. This long shadow like humanoid is described as looking like a long thin shadow. It stands tall and has small eyes, and long pointed ears. When it has captured person to eat on it can be seen slithering into the stomach like a snake.
The story of the Nalusa Falaya is told that it preys on children that stay out after dark and on careless hunters that do not treat the land right. The story of this creature is used to help children behave and to remind them not to go outside after dark. The creature is believed to travel back home in the West, but some sightings have been seen near the Chahta people today.
I chose the image because it relates well to the Falaya Falaya. Its black shadow body is easily known and if you would should a member of the Chahata Tribe, they should know who it is immediately.
It is important to remember that there are no changes that I have done with the story and the story you have read is what I was told from generations before me.
Author's Notes: The Sint-Holo (seent-hoh-loh)
The Sint-Holo is a horned serpent that is a very powerful being that uses its powers for being good and bad. It has been known to shape shift into nature to hind and when someone comes by it grabs them and drags them to the nearest water source. It has been known to shape shift into logs, trees, and other brush laying on the ground near a water source. Being a water serpent it drags you to the deepest point to their water death. On the other side the Sint-Holo has also been know to be a power spirit guide. It brings gifts and enlightens people that are lost and shows them goodness. The Sint-Holo can be seen in the Moundville, Alabama; the original lands of the Chahta people.
It is important to remember that the Sint-Holo can be defeated by the Thunder Spirits that use their thunderbolts.
I chose the image shown because it is known throughout the Chahta people for being a spirit guide. Since the Sint-Holo has a good side and a dark side, the Chahta people and other tribes take the Sint-Holo very seriously and don’t take the Sint-Holo lightly.
A reminder that there are no changes that I have done with the story and the story you have read is what I was told from generations before me.