Jistu : The Trickster Rabbit

Jistu

Introduction

In many Southeast Native American tribes like the Cherokee, the Rabbit is regarded as a trickster. Although he doesn’t usually do anything serious, he is prone to making inappropriate gestures and performing various other inappropriate behaviours. In some folklore, the Rabbit or Jistu is said to have stolen fire and brought it to the tribesmen.

He is also frequently associated with the abilities and characteristics of other animals in the folklore and most of the stories are about the deceptive nature of Jistu which almost always ends in misfortune for one of the people involved. The tales of Jistu the trickster rabbit are often used to explain many natural phenomenon associated with the wildlife of the region.

Physical Traits

The Jistu is a regular rabbit in all ways that is commonly found in the region. What is markedly different is that the natural tendency of the Jistu is to trick and deceive his fellow animals.

Family

There is no mention of Jistu’s family in the many accounts in Cherokee folklore.

Other Names

The Jistu is also referred to as Jisdu, Tsisdu, Chisdu, Tsistu, Cokfi, Chokfi, Chukfi, Cufe, Chufi, Tcetkana and Chetkana depending on the area or the tribe.

Powers and Abilities

The Jistu is a master manipulator and many stories that are associated with him showcase his ability to get his way using pure guile and the skills of deception. He is credited with the nakedness of an opossum’s tail, the horns of the deer, stealing the otter’s coat, challenging ducks to a flying contest, stealing the mountain lions teeth and killing the man eating monster.

In most stories however, Jistu does not emerge as a winner and only manages to get more and more blemished in the eyes of other animals.

Modern Day Influence

Stories of the Jistu are still very much in circulation even today among the Cherokee tribe. These stories are used to develop a moral compass among the kids and as an example of how a deceitful life does not reward. There have been adaptations of these stories in various forms of Native American oriented literature and educational stories as well.