Week 11 Story: Agan-uni'tsi and the Unketa

A painting imagining the Uktena in a more modern setting, by Daniel Esktrige.

   

  Nobody knew where the great serpent Uktena lived, or if he still did. He had slithered away years ago, thrashing trees down on either side of him, screaming and hissing, bodies in his wake. But that was hundreds of years ago, maybe more. After the Sun had sent a disease to wipe out mankind, a powerful medicine man had turned himself into a snake to fight the Sun, but had failed. Humanity had saved itself another way, but Uktena cared more for his own victory than what actually happened to his people. And in defeat, he was more dangerous than in triumph.

    For years, the Uktena haunted the lonely places in the hills, waiting for victims to come by. Some people, foolish or brave, tried to find the Uktena. On his diamond shaped head was a crystal that the medicine man had bound all his magic into. Legend said that whoever possessed it would be unstoppable, as long as they kept the crystal happy - it was said to have a mind of its own. 
    No one had ever succeeded in retrieving the crystal or seeing the Uktena and surviving. His appearance was supposedly so mesmerizing that it stunned his opponents into stillness so that he could eat them easily. Only a desperate and crazy man would try to find Uktena. Luckily, Agan-uni’tsi was both. 
Agan-uni’tsi sat with his hands bound behind his back in the lodge, waiting for the leaders of the Cherokee tribe to return. Just a few days ago he had been back with his own people, the Shawano, the most respected medicine man in the tribe. But when the Cherokee captured him, he had no choice but to bargain for his life. In return for sparing him, he would bring them the crystal of the Uktena. What did he have to lose? 
    Solemnly the leaders entered the tent and agreed to his bargain. They would let him go for three days to find the Uktena and return. If he tried to escape, they would know how to find him. Agan-uni’tsi was sure that they did. 
    On the first day, Agan-uni’tsi journeyed south. He found the largest moccasin snake he had ever seen, but he knew it was not Uktena. Next he found a great lizard basking in the sun. But this too was not what he was looking for. That night he slept under the stars and as he dreamed, the constellations  seemed to slither above him. He awoke cold and restless. 
    On the second day, he journey still further south but once again only found a large frog and a large turtle. Agan-uni’tsi began to despair for his life. 
    On the third day, Agan-uni’tsi journeyed all the way to the Gahu’ti mountain, where in the cradle of rocks, the largest snake he had ever seen lay sleeping. The snake was as thick as a cedar. Its scales were white and shone in the sun, and two massive horns sprouted from it’s diamond head. It was Uktena. And he was asleep.
    Agan-uni’tsi knew he didn’t have a moment to spare, and he couldn’t believe his luck. He climbed as far own as he could towards Uktena, praying that he didn’t awaken and began to collect branches. For hours he piled branches up as the Uktena slept on. Finally there was enough, and he lit the fire. As the fire began to burn, the Uktena woke with a start. Dazed and confused by the smoke, Agan-uni’tsi was able to pull back and arrow and strike the serpent straight through the heart.  
    The great serpent groaned and hissed as it died. And once the fire was out, Agan-uni’tsi waded through the ash to retireve his prize. The crystal was smooth and transparent, reflecting the light like it was winking at him. Agan-uni’tsi couldn’t help but smile. He had saved his own life, and he couldn’t help but have the feeling at a whole new adventure was about to begin. 

Author's Note: I was very intrigued by the story of Agan-uni'tsi and the Uktena. I retold it basically as I read it in its original form, except I added a few details - such as the tribal leaders giving him three days to complete the mission. I also simplified a few points - for example, I made the journey to find Uktena and the battle much shorter. I hope you enjoy reading this Cherokee tale!

Bibliography: "Âgän-uni'tsï's Search For The Uktena,"Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney (1900).