Today, we’re going to be stepping out of East Tennessee and heading into Western North Carolina. Growing up in North Carolina, I know there are tons of tales from urban legends to hauntings, and different traditions, specifically from the Cherokee. We’ve covered different Cherokee tales in East Tennessee, but there is a fascinating one in Western North Carolina that has yet to come to light.
Given Asheville’s proximity, one may be familiar with the French Broad River and the haunting from Cherokee traditions of a siren living in the waterway. This tale became popular in the early 1800s, though it originated much further back.
To begin, I would like to explain what a siren is and its mythology. Sirens date back to Greek mythology, where they were most often depicted as part woman, like a mermaid, and would sing different melodies or songs to lure sailors to their deaths. Most of the time, sirens were described as absolutely gorgeous. They were enchanting from the way they looked to the songs they sang, but above all, they were dangerous.
In The French Broad, it said that the siren also led people to their deaths by singing her own song. Furthermore, there is a description of this woman with messy hair and an absolutely beautiful figure, who would appear before showing her monstrous true form. She would lure people, specifically men, and once they were finally close enough where she could take their lives, she would reveal her true colors.
Since most sirens are often depicted within the ocean, there is a difference that makes this one stand out in the French Broad; she would mostly appear at bends in the river, where it is a little more dangerous for travelers to be. Along with passerbys, by being on the bend, she would lure tired hikers amid their journey.
It said that people knew the siren was taking people’s lives because they could hear her mocking the sounds they were making as they were drowning, and once that was over, they could hear her laugh, pleased by the fact.
There are no actual reports of this happening at the French Broad River, but it is a very well-known tale. With roots from the Cherokee, it is well-respected within the area. People still claim to see her to this day.
Whether or not the French Broad siren is something you believe in or not, it is fascinating to hear how the tales from the Cherokee differentiate from each other from one area to another.
