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Native American Legends: Nunnehi (Nanye-hi)
Name: Nunnehi
Tribal affiliation: Cherokee
Alternate spellings: Nunne'hi, Nvne'hi, Nvnehi, Nanehi, Nanye-hi, Nanyehi
Pronunciation: nun-nay-hee
Also known as: Travelers
Type: Indian little people,
nature spirits
Related figures in other tribes: Jogah (Iroquois,)
Puckwudgie (Algonquian,)
Mikm (Wabanaki)
Nunnehi are a supernatural spirit race which is friendly towards humans, particularly towards the Cherokee tribe.
Nunnehi are very strong and sometimes intercede in battle on the Cherokees' behalf. Nunnehi are usually invisible
but sometimes show themselves to humans they like, appearing as regal looking human warriors.
In some Cherokee legends, Nunnehi are described as being little people like the
Yunwi Tsunsdi, appearing as
miniature warriors. In others, they are human in size and build but have an otherworldly
appearance. The name Nunnehi means "traveler" or "one who goes about."
Nunnehi Stories
The Nunnehi:
Cherokee folktales about the Nunnehi.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
The First Fire:
Anthology of stories from the Kickapoo, Cherokee, Kiowa, and Tigua tribes.
Southeastern Native American Legends:
Book comparing the traditional stories of the Cherokee and other Southeast tribes.
Sponsored Links
Additional Resources
Cherokee stories
Cherokee language website
Cherokee Indians
Cherokee Indian names
Native Americans in Oklahoma
Southeast tribes
Cherokee Indian words
Iroquoian language
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