Untitled - Smithsonian Institution

38 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 99
Neglected Taboos; Disregarded Injunctions
As if the formidable force of disease causes which we have now
passed in review were not sufficient to soon rob the earth in general
and the Cherokee country particularly of every living mortal, there
is yet a complex of causes arrayed against the unsuspecting creature
who has successfully run the gantlet of spirits, ghosts, witches, and
dreams: the neglected taboos and the disregarded injunctions.
In a way these work in an even more insidious and surreptitious
way than any of those that have until now come to our attention. For
in a good many instances we may avoid diseases if only we adhere
strictly to certain rules of conduct: carefully ask the bear's pardon
after having killed it, making a point of burning the entrails of a slain
deer, not spit into the fire, not urinate into the river, not offend
"man-killers," etc. We can avoid violating these taboos; but others
there are which we may violate however carefully we try to avoid
doing so, and however honest our intentions are. It makes no
difference whether we violate them purposely or inadvertently, the
results are the same.
Some of these taboos that now seem unintelligible, not only to
us but to the Cherokee themselves, are undoubtedly survivals of an
earlier age, where certain phenomena were the object of a cult which
has in later days been neglected and forgotten, such as is illustrated
in "One must not point at the rainbow, or one's finger will swell at
the lower joint." (Mooney, Myths, p. 257.)
"Sourwood ... is never burned, from an idea that the lye made
from its ashes will bring sickness to those who use it in preparing
food." (\. c, p. 422.)
Others of these taboos are very probably (unconscious?) attempts
at laying down rules for moral and even hygienic conduct. For
example, one should never do one's needs in the yard or in a trail,
i. e., in public; this would result in diseases of the urinary system. It
may be mentioned in this place how extremely carefully and con-
siderately the Cherokee observe this taboo. Likewise, the entrails
and offal of all small game, the water in which it is washed and with
which some of its blood may be mixed, and the blood itself, should
never be disposed of by throwing or pouring it away in the yard or in a
trail, etc., but should be carefully taken to a secluded place and
disposed of.
The diseases that may result from the neglect of these taboos
are varied and multifarious; they may in fact be almost anything.
If toothache "results" it will be blamed on the "animal's insects";
if rheumatism, the explanation may be found in the fact that the
particular piece of game was a rabbit; if Du'le^'dzi because it was a
turkey, etc.