The Thunder Beings (Aniyvdaqualosgi) (Cherokee)
The Cherokee believe in the Thunder Beings, known as Aniyvdaqualosgi or Ani-Yuntikwalaski. The Great Thunder and his two sons, the Thunder Boys, live in the land of the west above the sky vault. They dress in lightning and rainbows. Unlike many tribes where thunder spirits take bird form, Cherokee Thunderers are human in form — powerful and dangerous but generally friendly to humans. The priests pray to the Thunder beings for rain and blessings. Some lesser thunder beings live closer to the Earth's surface in cliffs, mountains, and waterfalls, and these are more mischievous, sometimes causing