U’tlun’ta is a Cherokee legend in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
The name U’tlun’ta translates from Cherokee literally as “she had it sharp,” or more commonly “Spearfinger.” Best described as a witch, the forefinger on Spearfinger’s right hand was supposedly shaped like a spear or obsidian knife, with which she would cut her victims. And not just cut, but disembowel them too, eating their livers, which it’s said stained her mouth red with blood.
This Cherokee witch was also made of stone and, according to the old tales, sounded like thunder when she walked, her voice echoing down the mountains into the Cherokee villages. She liked to walk on the trail that joined Chilhowee Mountain and the river nearby.
Another interesting thing about Spearfinger was her ability to shapeshift into family members of her victims, Cherokee children. That way she can lure those kids into a false sense of security so that when they fall asleep she can use that finger to kill them and gouge out those tasty livers to eat.
There’s a lot more to this story, but we’re saving that for a future podcast…be listening for it!