What was the Cherokee Legend of Tlanusi-yi?

Native American legends tell of many stories involving cryptids, lost worlds, aliens and paranormal activity. Every once in a while, a story emerges so unbelievable though that it raises questions as to why the story exists or if there is some truth to it. 

The Hiwassee River passes through downtown Murphy, North Carolina, where it flows past a site famous in Cherokee Culture. The legend tells of a house-sized leech that commanded the waters and used them to drown unsuspecting people to the bottom of the river and consume them. This place was known as Tlanusi-yi, or “The Leech Place.”

(Does this National Park have a curse?)

Centuries ago, Cherokee Indians tell a story of a man who laughed at the legendary story and said that he was not afraid of anything in the Valley River. One day, he painted his face, put on his finest buckskin and headed off toward the river, while his tribe followed from a distance. 

As he went down the trail, he went out upon the ledge of rock, singing in high spirits and mocking the beast. As he was halfway across, suddenly the water began to boil into white foam, a massive wave rose swept and carried him underwater. The man was never seen again.

Another story occurred when a woman went out on the rock ledge. She wanted to catch fish as she was sick of not eating any meat. She laid her baby down and began fishing when suddenly the water began to boil. Luckily the woman sprinted to her baby and was able to hurry off before the creature grabbed them. 

(What is Minhocao?- read the legend here)

Today, many people visit the leech place with a dock extending out into the water. 

As farfetched as it sounds, perhaps the creature was a pre-historic animal that didn’t die out and lived secluded. Still, Most people believe this legend either never existed or was simply a story told in Cherokee Culture, amd without evidence it will probably remain this way.