Moon-eyed people

 Da’Myah Merritt

The Moon-eyed people are a short mysterious figure in Cherokee and Appalachian folklore, very often described as a pale-skinned, blue-eyed race sensitive to sunlight, living in the Appalachian Mountains before European settlers arrived. Legends say they inhabited areas like the Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains and built stone structures, including Georgia's Fort Mountain wall. Due to their sensitivity to light, they could only see at night, hiding during the day and working during the night fall. 

The Moon Eyed People were, according to legend, cave dwellers who only ventured out at night.

Cherokee stories talk about conflicts between the Cherokee and the Moon-eyed people around 1100-1200 AD, which drove them away. Some legends suggest they fled underground, disappearing from history. Theories on their origins vary, some propose they were an indigenous group or displaced settlers from Wales, tracing their origins to the 12th-century Prince Madoc legend. Now people add a paranormal twist, suggesting they may have been ailes, a theory transpired from their unusual physical traits and nocturnal-like habits. Some link the story to the 1955 Kelly-Hopkinsville "alien" encounter in Kentucky.

                                Legend of the Moon Eyed People, America's First Civilization

Today, the Moon-eyed people are a captivating part of Appalachian culture, where Native history, European legends, and supernatural tales merge. Their story, passed down through generations, continues to intrigue and inspire those drawn to the mysteries of Appalachia.

Works Cited: 

Carmichael, Tim. “The Moon-Eyed People of Cherokee Legend: Mysteries of the Smoky Mountains.” Echoes of Appalachia, 26 September 2024. Accessed: 6 Nov. 2024. https://appalachianmemories.org/2024/09/26/the-moon-eyed-people-of-cherokee-legend-mysteries

Hocker,Chris. “The Moon-eyed People”. Strange Carolinas, June 2012. Accessed: 6 Nov. 2024. https://www.strangecarolinas.com/2019/10/the-moon-eyed-people-effigy-murphy-nc.html. -of-the-smoky-mountains/. 

Wayne, Jordan. “Blue Ridge Tales, Maintain Life & Love: Tales of the Moon-eyed People”. 2012. Accessed: 6 Nov. 2024. https://blueridgetales.com/tales-of-the-moon-eyed-people/. 

Spooky Appalachia: The Story Of The Moon-eyed People.” Accessed: 6 Nov. 2024. https://www.spookyappalachia.com/the-story-of-the-moon-eyed-people/.

Vučković, Aleksa. “Exploring The Mysterious North American Moon-eyed People Legend.” Ancient Origins, 23 January 2022. Accessed: 6 Nov. 2024. https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-americas/moon-eyed-people-0016334. 

For Further Reference: Voyles, Bruce. “Moon-eyed People Legends Center In Area.” Cherokee Scout. Accessed: 6 Nov. 2024. https://www.cherokeescout.com/opinion/moon-eyed-people-legends-center-area This article work by James Mooney includes references to the Moon-eyed people and mentions Cherokee legends and folklore, providing valuable historical context. Mooney discusses how Cherokee oral tradition describes the Moon-eyed people as small, fair-skinned figures who lived in Appalachia before the Cherokee arrived.

Georgia Parks Division, Department of Natural Resources. "Historical Marker at Fort Mountain." 19, Sep. 2008. Accessed: 6 Nov. 2024 https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=11590 This marker, placed by Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, commemorates the Moon-eyed people and their alleged connection to Fort Mountain’s stone wall. It includes the belief that the Moon-eyed people may have been a separate race defeated by the Creek. A notable example of how folklore has been recognized in historical landmarks, encouraging ongoing curiosity about local legends. Atlas, Obscura. “Who Were the Mysterious Moon-Eyed People of Appalachia?” by Hadley Meares, October 22, 2024. Accessed: 6 Nov. 2024. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/moon-eyed-people-appalachia This article explores various versions and theories about the moon-eyed people, diving deep into archaeological evidence, Cherokee legend, and speculative folklore. The author describes how the myth evolved through both indigenous and European storytelling, as well as modern alien theories.