Spearfinger : The Cherokee Witch

Spearfinger

Introduction

Spearfinger, is a mysterious witch who could transform her appearance at will. She was said to possess skin as tough as stone and a peculiar obsidian knife in place of one of her right-hand fingers. Spearfinger’s journeys took her through the majestic mountains that now lie between what we know as the western part of North Carolina and the eastern side of Tennessee. The legends say that even though the Cherokee eventually captured and put an end to her, her haunting shrieks and eerie cackles still echo through the quiet mountain nights. Spearfinger harbored a gruesome appetite for human livers, particularly those of Cherokee children, sending shivers down the spines of parents. This led them to weave tales of Spearfinger into their stories to caution their little ones about straying too far from the safety of their village.

Physical Traits

Spearfinger would assume the guise of an elderly woman, cunningly gaining the trust of Cherokee children who believed her to be a respected village elder, a grandmother, a caring mother, or a beloved aunt. Under the pretense of kindness, she’d offer to gently comb the child’s hair until they drifted into slumber. It was then that she would betray their trust, using her sharp finger to inflict a fatal wound, piercing either the back of the neck or the heart, all in pursuit of the child’s liver, her sinister sustenance.

Despite her most frequent appearance as an elderly lady, Spearfinger possessed the uncanny ability to shape-shift into anything she desired. She could transform into another child, a trusted friend, or even an innocent animal. Her supernatural nature made her impervious to any weapon crafted by human hands. Her sole vulnerability lay in her heart, which she clutched tightly in her hand as her last line of defense.

Family

In the realm of mountain legends, there exists another stone figure known as Nun’Yunu’Wi, often referred to as Stone Man. When Stone Man and Spearfinger cross paths, an innate recognition of their connection stirs within them. According to Cherokee lore, these stone entities instinctively perceive each other as adversaries due to their shared pursuit of a macabre delicacy: livers. Spearfinger discerns Stone Man’s identity as a male being when he resonates a song dedicated to livers, his deep voice vibrating the very earth beneath them.

Other names

In Cherokee legend, the Spearfinger also known as U’tlun’ta’, was often referred to as “the one with the pointed spear.” She is alternatively recognized as Nûñ’yunu’ï, a moniker derived from her stone-like skin, translating to “Stone-dress” in Cherokee folklore.

Powers and Abilities

In addition to her finger-shaped spear, Spearfinger possesses the uncanny ability to transform into the very family members of the children she preys upon. Once she integrates herself into the lives of her unsuspecting victims, she finds herself unable to alter her appearance as long as she remains within anyone else’s line of sight. Spearfinger often adopts the guise of a seemingly harmless elderly woman, much like in the story of “U`tlûñ’ta, The Spear-finger.” Being composed of stone, her skin remains impervious to arrows, which shatter upon impact with her. Furthermore, she wields the strength to effortlessly lift, arrange, fracture, and even reshape boulders, showcasing her formidable and otherworldly abilities.

Modern Day Influence

Spearfinger continues to be part of the storytelling process of the Cherokee tribe and in the traditions of passing on the culture to the future generations. However, she does not find much of a place in modern pop culture as of now.