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{{hoax}}
'''Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni''' or '''Ah-ni-gu-ta-ni''' (Cherokee: ᎠᏂᎫᏔᏂ) (pronounced Ah-nee-koo-tah-nee/Ah-nee-goo-tah-nee) were the ancient priesthood of the [[Cherokee]] or [[Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya]] people. According to [[Cherokee]] legend, the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni were exterminated during a mass uprising by the [[Cherokee]] people approximately 300 years prior to European Contact.{{ref|legand1}} This uprising was sparked by the fact that the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni had become despotic and oppressive to the people.{{ref|legand2}} The ancient structure of Cherokee Society and the [[Cherokee Clans]] were closely linked to the beliefs of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni.
'''Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni''' or '''Ah-ni-gu-ta-ni''' (Cherokee: ᎠᏂᎫᏔᏂ) (pronounced Ah-nee-koo-tah-nee/Ah-nee-goo-tah-nee) were the ancient priesthood of the [[Cherokee]] or [[Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya]] people. According to [[Cherokee]] legend, the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni were exterminated during a mass uprising by the [[Cherokee]] people approximately 300 years prior to European Contact.{{ref|legand1}} This uprising was sparked by the fact that the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni had become despotic and oppressive to the people.{{ref|legand2}} The ancient structure of Cherokee Society and the [[Cherokee Clans]] were closely linked to the beliefs of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni.


==History ==
==History ==
This group of priests were believed to have created and maintained the first writing system of the [[Cherokee]] people, predating Sequoyah's Syllabary.{{ref|writing1}}
This group of priests were believed to have created and maintained the first writing system of the [[Cherokee]] people, predating Sequoyah's Syllabary.{{ref|writing1}} The great [[Cherokee]] Scholar [[Sequoyah]] is generally credited with the creation of the modern Cherokee Syllabary. However, in recent times, the ancient syllabary of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni has reappeared, and the legends of its existence may have been what inspired Sequoyah to perform his great work. This most ancient syllabary does not resemble the modern Sequoyah syllabary in any meaningful way, but the legends of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni are believed to have inspired Sequoyah to recreate a means of writing for the Cherokee people which was believed to have been lost during the exterminaton of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni. It was legend among the Cherokee that the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni were able to record "the words of the people upon the wind" and that they possessed a writing system that was not shared with the common people, and was considered powerful magic.

Although it was widely held by the Cherokees that the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni were all destroyed, a small group of their descendants were believed to have hid among the people in secrecy and marched the [[Trail of Tears]].{{ref|survival}} According to the legends of the Ahniyvwiya, when the Cherokee reached the banks of the Mississippi River near modern day Cape Girardeau, Missouri during the Trail of Tears Death March, the Anikutani fled into the surrounding woods and founded a small community in the swamps near the river. Their hidden community was called Kla-da-tsa-yi (Klah-dah-aht-saw-yee), meaning "the place of the panther" or "panther swamp."{{ref|swamp}}

According to the ancient written prophecies of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni, the Mississippi River was a boundary that the Cherokee were forbidden to cross by the Creator spirit -- and if the Cherokee crossed the river, they would fall under a curse and war with one another, and not find peace until the people returned to the true culture of the Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya and the ceremonies were performed on the spot the Cherokee people crossed the river. In September of 2002, the Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya and Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni performed the ancient ceremonies on the spot where the Cherokee people crossed the river, and believe that the true culture, spirituality, and brotherhood of the people was restored according to ancient written prophecies.{{ref|ceremony}}

The Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni also restored the seven priests of the ancient priesthood from among selected individuals of the [[Cherokee Nation]], [[United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians]], and the [[Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians]]. The current leader of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni is a member of the [[United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians]]. The Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni are and remain an extremely secretive organization, and the identities of the priests are not generally known, even among the [[Cherokee]] people, for fear of political reprisals. Several prominent Cherokee historians who are members of the [[Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians]] are aware of the existence of this organization in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and refer to the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni as the "old ones" or the "ancient ones".


==James Mooney's writings concerning the AniKutani ==
==James Mooney's writings concerning the AniKutani ==
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Fortunately, we are not left to depend entirely upon surmise in the matter, as the tradition was noted by Haywood some seventy years ago (from the mid 1800s), and by another writer some forty years later, while the connected story could still be obtained from competent authorities. From the various statements it would seem that the Ani'Kuta'ni were a priestly clan, having hereditary supervision of all religious ceremonies among the Cherokee, until, in consequence of having abused their sacred privileges, they were attacked and completely exterminated by the rest of the tribe, leaving the priestly functions to be assumed thereafter by individual doctors and conjurers.
Fortunately, we are not left to depend entirely upon surmise in the matter, as the tradition was noted by Haywood some seventy years ago (from the mid 1800s), and by another writer some forty years later, while the connected story could still be obtained from competent authorities. From the various statements it would seem that the Ani'Kuta'ni were a priestly clan, having hereditary supervision of all religious ceremonies among the Cherokee, until, in consequence of having abused their sacred privileges, they were attacked and completely exterminated by the rest of the tribe, leaving the priestly functions to be assumed thereafter by individual doctors and conjurers.


Mooney mentions no remaining members of this legend within the Cherokee. Mooney mentions no tablets or pre-Sequoyah written language by this group. Mooney mentions no secret group surviving and settling in Missouri. Mooney does mention that the family name for the group was Nicotani. This group was described as much despised, corrupt abusers of their religious power (Mooney compared this power position to be on par with the Brahmins of India). Mooney stated they where so completely whipped out that even at the mention of them by Chief John Ross and Dr J. B. Evans in 1866 the story and legend where stated to be a century old and must have (due to the dimness of detail) been even older then a century even then. James Mooney states that none are noted to have survived.
Mooney does mention that the family name for the group was Ni-go-ta-ni (implying a permanent condition of possession, as in "keeping" or "holding" something -- the closest exact translation is "keeping" something "as it is"). This group was described as much despised, corrupt abusers of their religious power (Mooney compared this power position to be on par with the Brahmins of India). Mooney stated they where so completely wiped out that even at the mention of them by Chief John Ross and Dr J. B. Evans in 1866 the story and legend where stated to be a century old and must have (due to the dimness of detail) been even older then a century even then.


:''"The people long brooded in silence over the oppressions and outrages of this high caste, whom they deeply hated but greatly feared. At length a daring young man, a member of an influential family, organized a conspiracy among the people for the massacre of the priesthood. The immediate provocation was the adduction of the wife of the young leader of the conspiracy.His wife was remarkable for her beauty, and was forcibly abducted and violated by one of the Nicotani while he was absent on the chase. On his return he found no difficulty in exciting in others the resentment which he himself experienced. So many had suffered in the same way, so many feared that they might be made to suffer, that nothing was wanted but a leader. A leader appearing in the person of the young brave whom we have named, the people rose under his direction and killed every Nicotani (Ni-go-ta-ni), young and old. Thus perished a hereditary secret society, since which time no hereditary privileges have been tolerated among the Cherokee."''{{ref|mooney}}
:''"The people long brooded in silence over the oppressions and outrages of this high caste, whom they deeply hated but greatly feared. At length a daring young man, a member of an influential family, organized a conspiracy among the people for the massacre of the priesthood. The immediate provocation was the adduction of the wife of the young leader of the conspiracy.His wife was remarkable for her beauty, and was forcibly abducted and violated by one of the Nicotani while he was absent on the chase. On his return he found no difficulty in exciting in others the resentment which he himself experienced. So many had suffered in the same way, so many feared that they might be made to suffer, that nothing was wanted but a leader. A leader appearing in the person of the young brave whom we have named, the people rose under his direction and killed every Nicotani (Ni-go-ta-ni), young and old. Thus perished a hereditary secret society, since which time no hereditary privileges have been tolerated among the Cherokee."''{{ref|mooney}}


==Current status ==
A group still exists today as a religious organization called the Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya. They hold many ancient objects and archives written in this ancient Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni syllabary that record the original ceremonies of the Cherokee, which were practiced unchanged for thousands of years. They also possess two stone tablets written in an ancient ideographic form of the language that are believed to be extremely ancient. These tablets record the origins of the Cherokee people, and state that the Cherokee migrated to North America thousands of years ago from somewhere else. These tablets also tell a story that the Earth, ''E-lo-hi'' (Eee-loe-hee) was created by the [[star people]] who then brought the Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya (all the human people) to dwell here in happiness from the place of the sun, gu-ta-ni(yi) (another star in the heavens).{{ref|status}}


The ancient Cherokee stories told by Modern Oklahoma Cherokee Historian Benny Smith tell a similar story of four worlds of man ([[planet]]s) in the [[cosmos]] inhabited by the Human People. The Earth in these legends is described as the Fourth and final World of man.


The previous worlds are described as part of the evolution of mankind towards their final destination. In these legends, the Earth is said to have been "created" or "[[terra-form]]ed" by the star people, beings of immense power who serve the Apportioner. The previous worlds were the place of emergence or creation, a second world which is described as an oceanic planet covered almost completely by vast oceans, and a third world with perpetual day on one side and perpetual night on the other side of the planet where the people contended with [[monster]]s, and the Earth as the fourth world. The basis of the Cherokee people's immense reverence for the element of [[fire]] is closely tied to their legends of these worlds.


==Etymology ==
The name of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni can no longer be translated by most modern [[Cherokee]] speakers, as the meaning of this word has been lost. Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni translates in the ancient dialect as "the people who came from the place of the sun." Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni is the modern form of the word spoken in the Oklahoma dialect. The ancient form of the word is Ah-ni-gu-ta-ni.


==References==
==References==
<small>(alphabetical by title)</small>
<small>(alphabetical by title)</small>
*Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya Monthly Newsletters, published Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya Religious Orgranization, October 2002 Issues, HCR 64 Box 816 Grassy, MO 63751
*[http://www.ferrum.edu/applit/bibs/cherokeelang.htm ''Ancient Cherokee Scribes in the 1500s'']
*[http://www.ferrum.edu/applit/bibs/cherokeelang.htm ''Ancient Cherokee Scribes in the 1500s'']
*''Cherokee'' by David Fitzgerald and Robert J. Conley; Graphic Arts Center Publishing, 2002 (ISBN 1-55868-603-7)
*''Cherokee'' by David Fitzgerald and Robert J. Conley; Graphic Arts Center Publishing, 2002 (ISBN 1-55868-603-7)
*''History of the [Mormon] Church'', Mormon Historical Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah
*''Tell Them They Lie: The Sequoyah Myth'' by Traveller Bird. Westernlore Publishers, 1971. [http://www.enformy.com/dma-ls05.htm excerpts on line]
*''Tell Them They Lie: The Sequoyah Myth'' by Traveller Bird. Westernlore Publishers, 1971. [http://www.enformy.com/dma-ls05.htm excerpts on line]
*[http://www.zianet.com/wblase/endtimes/catron10.htm ''Moundbuilders'']
*[http://www.zianet.com/wblase/endtimes/catron10.htm ''Moundbuilders'']
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*[http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d10/asb/anthro2003/glues/cahokia_rank.html ''Wilma Mankiller'', Former Chief Cherokee Nation, Ani-kutani Society]
*[http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d10/asb/anthro2003/glues/cahokia_rank.html ''Wilma Mankiller'', Former Chief Cherokee Nation, Ani-kutani Society]
*''Who were the Ani-Kutani? An Excursion into Cherokee Thought.'' by Raymond Fogelson in Ethnohistory 31 (1984), pp. 255-263.
*''Who were the Ani-Kutani? An Excursion into Cherokee Thought.'' by Raymond Fogelson in Ethnohistory 31 (1984), pp. 255-263.
*''Writings and History of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni''. Central archives, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, An-ni-yv-wi-ya Religious organization. HCR 64 Box 816 Grassy, MO 63751
*History of the Four Cherokee Worlds, Benny Smith Video Presentation, Cherokee Nation Archives.


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 63: Line 46:
#{{note|ceremony}} ''Writings and history of An-ni-ku-ta-ni'' (see references section) (Oct 2002 newsletter)
#{{note|ceremony}} ''Writings and history of An-ni-ku-ta-ni'' (see references section) (Oct 2002 newsletter)
#{{note|mooney}} James Mooney's History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees ISBN 0-914875-19-1
#{{note|mooney}} James Mooney's History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees ISBN 0-914875-19-1

#{{note|status}} ''Writings and history of An-ni-ku-ta-ni'' (see references)

[[Category:Cherokee tribe]]
[[Category:Cherokee tribe]]
[[Category:Cherokee mythology]]
[[Category:Cherokee mythology]]

Revision as of 18:45, 10 July 2007

Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni or Ah-ni-gu-ta-ni (Cherokee: ᎠᏂᎫᏔᏂ) (pronounced Ah-nee-koo-tah-nee/Ah-nee-goo-tah-nee) were the ancient priesthood of the Cherokee or Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya people. According to Cherokee legend, the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni were exterminated during a mass uprising by the Cherokee people approximately 300 years prior to European Contact.[1] This uprising was sparked by the fact that the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni had become despotic and oppressive to the people.[2] The ancient structure of Cherokee Society and the Cherokee Clans were closely linked to the beliefs of the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni.

History

This group of priests were believed to have created and maintained the first writing system of the Cherokee people, predating Sequoyah's Syllabary.[3]

James Mooney's writings concerning the AniKutani

From the writings of James Mooney Myths of the Cherokee section 108 The Massacre of the Ani'-Kuta'ni. Among other perishing traditions is that relating to the Ani'Kuta'ni or Ani'Kwata'ni, concerning whom the modern Cherokee know so little that their very identity is now a matter of dispute, a few holding that they were an ancient people who preceded the Cherokee and built the mounds, while others, with more authority, claim that they were a clan or society in the tribe and were destroyed long ago by pestilence or other calamity.

Fortunately, we are not left to depend entirely upon surmise in the matter, as the tradition was noted by Haywood some seventy years ago (from the mid 1800s), and by another writer some forty years later, while the connected story could still be obtained from competent authorities. From the various statements it would seem that the Ani'Kuta'ni were a priestly clan, having hereditary supervision of all religious ceremonies among the Cherokee, until, in consequence of having abused their sacred privileges, they were attacked and completely exterminated by the rest of the tribe, leaving the priestly functions to be assumed thereafter by individual doctors and conjurers.

Mooney does mention that the family name for the group was Ni-go-ta-ni (implying a permanent condition of possession, as in "keeping" or "holding" something -- the closest exact translation is "keeping" something "as it is"). This group was described as much despised, corrupt abusers of their religious power (Mooney compared this power position to be on par with the Brahmins of India). Mooney stated they where so completely wiped out that even at the mention of them by Chief John Ross and Dr J. B. Evans in 1866 the story and legend where stated to be a century old and must have (due to the dimness of detail) been even older then a century even then.

"The people long brooded in silence over the oppressions and outrages of this high caste, whom they deeply hated but greatly feared. At length a daring young man, a member of an influential family, organized a conspiracy among the people for the massacre of the priesthood. The immediate provocation was the adduction of the wife of the young leader of the conspiracy.His wife was remarkable for her beauty, and was forcibly abducted and violated by one of the Nicotani while he was absent on the chase. On his return he found no difficulty in exciting in others the resentment which he himself experienced. So many had suffered in the same way, so many feared that they might be made to suffer, that nothing was wanted but a leader. A leader appearing in the person of the young brave whom we have named, the people rose under his direction and killed every Nicotani (Ni-go-ta-ni), young and old. Thus perished a hereditary secret society, since which time no hereditary privileges have been tolerated among the Cherokee."[4]



References

(alphabetical by title)

Notes

  1. ^ Autobiography of Wilma Mankiller as quoted in this site; also in Moundbuilders by James Catron
  2. ^ Same source as in previous note, and Cherokee by Fitzgerald & Conley, page 29 (in the references section above)
  3. ^ Tell Them They Lie by Bird, p24.
  4. ^ Writings and history of An-ni-ku-ta-ni (see references section)
  5. ^ Writings and history of An-ni-ku-ta-ni (see references section) (Oct 2002 newsletter)
  6. ^ Writings and history of An-ni-ku-ta-ni (see references section) (Oct 2002 newsletter)
  7. ^ James Mooney's History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees ISBN 0-914875-19-1
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