siOBX; - Smithsonian Institution

198 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 103
The pygmy being or beings of Creek and Chickasaw mythology
appear again in that of the Choctaw. Halbert says
The Choctaws in Mississippi say that there is a little man, about two feet
high, that dwells in the thick woods and is solitary iu his habits. This little
sprite or hobgoblin is called by the Choctaws Bohpoli, or Kuwi anukasha, both
names being used indifferently or synonymously. The translation of Bohpoli
is the " Thrower." The translation of Kowi anukasha is. " The one who stays
in the woods," or, to give a more concise translation, " Forest-dweller." Boh-
poli is represented as being somewhat sportive and mischievous but not
malicious in his nature. The Choctaws say that he often playfully throws
sticks and stones at the people. Every mysterious noise heard in the woods,
whether by day or night, they ascribe to Bohpoli. He takes special pleasure,
they say, in striking the pine trees. A young Indian once told me tliat one
night, whilst camped in the woods, he was awakened out of a deep sleep by a
loud noise made on a pine tree by Bohpoli. Bohpoli, or Kowi anukasha, is
never seen by the common Choctaws. The Choctaw prophets and doctors,
however, claim the power of seeing him and of holding communication with
him. The Indian doctors say that Bohpoli assists them in the manufacture of
their medicines. Most Choctaws say or think that there is but one Bohpoli,
In the opinion of others there may be more than one."*
Bushnell was told that this spirit occasionally captured a child
and imparted to him secrets which enabled him to become a doctor.
In the stories collected by the last-mentioned writer appear some
other supernatural beings, as Kashehotapalo, a combination of man
and deer who delights in frightening hunters, OkAva Naholo [or
Oka Nahullo], " white people of the water," who dwell in deep pools
and have light skins like the skins of trout and sometimes capture
human beings w hom they convert into beings like themselves ; Hoklo-
note'she, a bad spirit who can assume any shape he desires and is
able to read men's thoughts ; Nalusa Falaya, " the Long Black
Being," which resembles a man, but has small eyes and long, pointed
ears and sometimes frightens hunters or even communicates its own
power of doing harm ; and Hashok Okwa Hui'ga, " grass Avater
drop," which seems to have some connection with the will-o'-the-
wisp. Its heart only is visible and that only at night, and if one
looks at it he is led astray. Ishkitini, the horned owl, was believed
to prowl about at night killing men and animals. This sinister
character was undoubtedly due to
witchcraft.
the association of the bird with
Simpson Tubby claimed that the jack-o'-lantern was called " nightmare
" by the Indians and was believed to plait up the tails of horses
during the night and to ride them about until they could hardly be
used next day and many died from the effects. They also upset a
horse's stomach so that an Indian doctor had to be called in to treat
him.
H. S. Halbert, "The Choctaw Robin Goodfellow," iu American Antiquarian, vol. xvii,
p. 157.