Cherokee society: Encyclopedia - Cherokee society

Cherokee society

Flag of the Cherokee Nation

The seal of the United Keetoowah Band

Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma (f):
   175,000+

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, Oklahoma (f):
   10,000

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina (f):
   10,000+

(f) = federally recognized

Cherokee society refers to the society and culture of the Cherokee (or ah-ni-yv-wi-ya in Cherokee) people. The Cherokee are a people native to North America who at the time of European contact in the 16th century inhabited what is now the eastern and southeastern United States before most were forcefully moved to the Ozark Plateau. They were one of the tribes referred to as the Five Civilized Tribes. The Cherokees were the first Native American people to have their language in written form and are famous for their forced westward journey called the Trail of Tears.

Cherokee society was traditionally broken into seven clans, with Cherokee villages having two governmental units (with one government handling affairs in peacetime and the other during times of war). Family was also central to Cherokee society. During the year, the Cherokee celebrate seven main festivals.

Cherokee society - The seven Cherokee clans

Ancient Cherokee or Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya society was traditionally grouped around a social organization of seven clans. These were:

• Blue (also Panther or Wild Cat) Clan (a-ni-gi-lo-ni in Cherokee) made a medicine from a bluish colored plant to keep the children well.
• Long Hair (also Twister, Hair Hanging Down, or Wind) Clan (a-ni-gi-lo-hi in Cherokee) wore their hair in elaborate hairdos, walked in a proud and vain manner twisting their shoulders. The Peace Chief was usually from this clan.
• Bird Clan (a-ni-tsi-s-kwa in Cherokee) were the keepers of the birds, skilled in using blowguns and snares for bird hunting.
• Paint Clan (a-ni-wo-diin Cherokee) made red paint and were the sorcerers and medicine men.
• Deer Clan (a-ni-ka-wi in Cherokee) were the keepers of the deer and were known as fast runners and deer hunters.
• Wild Potato (also Bear, Racoon, or Blind Savannah) Clan (a-ni-ga-to-ge-wi in Cherokee) gathered the wild potato in swamps along streams for food.
• Wolf Clan (a-ni-wa-yah in Cherokee) was the largest and most prominent clan providing most of the tribe's war chiefs. They were keepers of the wolf and the only clan who could kill a wolf.

The number "seven" was sacred to the Cherokee from ancient times. As time went on the number began to permeate Cherokee legends, beliefs, and customs including the seven sided council house, the sacred fire which was kindled with seven different kinds of wood, the seven directions and the seven Cherokee festivals. The Cherokee had a matrilineal society, a social system in which their descent was traced strictly through their mother's side of the family. The most important man in the life of any Cherokee child was their mother's brother. Discipline and instruction in hunting and warfare rested not with the child's father, but with his maternal uncle. Not even the right of the father to stay in the home was certain because Cherokee women owned the dwellings.

The clan provided many important functions including care for orphans and the destitute, hospitality for visiting clan members from other towns and, most important, the avenging of wrongs committed against clan members. All crimes such as theft of religious objects, assault on a priest, arson, treason, witchcraft, homicide, incest, stealing from the dead and intermarrying within a clan were all punishable by death.

Cherokee society - Blood revenge

The blood revenge was usually performed by an older male of the victim's clan if it could not be taken by his oldest brother. It was considered a disgrace if revenge were not taken. The Cherokees believed that revenge must be taken in order to free the soul of the victim and to let it pass from this world to the next. (It was the practice to avenge the victim by taking the life of the murderer himself, however, a close relative of the murderer would satisfy the revenge.)The Ancient Law of Blood Revenge was abolished by the Cherokee National Government on September 11, 1808. This act of abolishment was seen to have advanced the Cherokees in civilization, and it was universally accepted by all tribes.

Cherokee society - The Council House

The Council House was seven-sided and provided seven sections of seats within, giving each clan a section for its representatives within the governmental structure. The seven sections of seats surrounded the sacred fire.

Cherokee society - Villages

Each village of the Cherokees had two governmental units comprised of a white and red government. During times of peace the white government had complete control of all affairs dealing with the village. This government consisted of older and wiser men who would not make foolish decisions. In times of war all duties fell on the red government which consisted of younger men who would do well in battle.

Cherokee society - White government

The white government consisted of the Chief of the tribe, the chief's right-hand man, prime counselors (one from each clan unit), a council of elders, a chief speaker, messengers and officers versed in ceremonial functions. This is the organization that made the decisions which affected the tribe during their times of peace.

Cherokee society - Red government

The red government consisted of a Great Red War Chief, The Great War Chief's Second, sever War Counselors, a War Woman, the Chief War Speaker, Messengers, Ceremonial Officers and War Scouts. The seven war counselors were in charge of declaring war when they felt the circumstances made it necessary. The War Woman's position was to declare the fate of captives and prisoners that were taken in times of war.

Cherokee society - Cherokee society

In the Cherokee society, three categories of animate things occupied the world, human beings, plants, and animals. Cherokees did not ignore the human characteristics of plants and animals, they magnified them, and the became major figures in the Cherokees' myths and legends, such as the bear, snake, deer, and bird.

Cherokee society - Seven festivals of the Cherokee

• First New Moon of Spring, March/April,(When the grass begins to grow.)
• New Green Corn Ceremony (Selutsunigististi), August,(When the corn was first fit to eat.)
• Ripe Corn Ceremony (Donagohuni), September,(Mature or ripe green corn.)
• Great New Moon Ceremony (Nuwatiegwa), September/October, (First New Moon of Autumn-Cherokee New Year.)
• Reconciliation & Friends-Made Ceremony (Atohuna), October/November,(Ten days after last ceremony ended.)
• Bouncing Bush Feast (Elawatalegi), Varied, (Time determined at first new moon of Autumn.)
• The Uku Dance (Peace Chief's Dance), Every 7th Year, (Replaced the Great New Moon Ceremony for that year. Peace Chief wore all yellow and reconsecrated himself as chief.)

Cherokee society - Cultural values and traditional views

Culture is born from beliefs and traditions that draw people together with a sense of "oneness" through the unity of family, clan, and tribe. Traditional American Indians (Cherokee) in earlier years focused on the tribe first, the clan second, and the family third in terms of importance and duty.

Cherokee society - Centrality of family

In Native American (Cherokee) culture "family" extends well beyond one's immediate relatives to extended family relatives, members of one's clan, members of the community, all living creatures in this world, nature as a whole, and the universe itself. "Being Indian" is not about the blood that flows in your veins, but how you live in a cultural and traditional way in respecting sacredness of the American Indian way of life. Traditionally, it is the primary responsibility of the grandparents to raise the children, and that of the parents to provide economic support. Child rearing is thought to encompass too important a responsibility for young parents, who are, in the eyes of the elders, not yet wise enough to handle such an important task.

Cherokee society - Leadership

Leadership is nurtured by focusing on self-mastery, inner strength, and the development of individual abilities. Kindness, generosity, autonomy (self governing), non-interference, and sharing are all ideals held in high reverence by Native American culture. Through guidance offered by elders, appropriate ways of acting and interacting are handed down through stories and sacred rituals that reveal the secrets to a Native American (Cherokee) way of life. This lifestyle is grounded in the practice of harmony within oneself, with others, and with one's surroundings. Traditionally, decisions by the Native American group involve the holding of discussions until a consensus can be reached; only then will action be taken. In this way no one's thoughts are overlooked, and a leader is only as strong as the cooperation among his or her people.

Cherokee society - Principle of non-interference

The highest form of respect for another person is respecting his or her natural right to self-determination. This means not interfering (unless asked to do so) with another person's ability to choose, even when it is to keep that person from doing something foolish or dangerous. Non-interference means caring in a respectful way. It is Native American tradition to walk away from conflict. Patience and restraint are taught traditionally. This respect includes nature as well.

Cherokee society - Purpose of life

Native Americans (Cherokee) believe that every life is a gift to be treated with gratitude and respect. Within the Native American tradition it is widely believed that every person has a purpose to fulfill during his or her lifetime. Traditional wisdom tells us that it is our purpose to face the world with courage in our hearts. There is an old saying, "All that moves is sacred - only by understanding this can you realize the rhythm of Mother Earth, and thereby know how to place your feet".

Cherokee society - Sacred ceremonies and traditons

• Earlier American Indian ceremonies and gatherings focused on tradtion and heritage with games, food, and all things that bring a community of people together. Each of the ceremonies had certain activities for learning about the use of plants and food, skills in game and hunting, and enjoyable competition. In Native American traditions ceremony is an essential way of connecting with that which is sacred, remembering always our place in the greater Universal Circle.

• Traditionally, "Giveaway" was an activity at certain ceremonie to restore harmony and balance in the tribe by gifting others, as well as trading skills and services as a form of reciprocity (a mutual or cooperative interchange of favors.) or a mutual exchange of things i the tribe. The value of giving and awareness of the self becomes powerful lessons for all in the circle for healing.

Cherokee society - Naming

In the traditional American Indian way infants are given names but their parents, other family members, or even the medicine person, usually within four to seven days following birth. Names were subject to change throughout a person's lifetime according to life experiences and tribal customs.

Cherokee society - Traditional use of masks

Masks pervade virtually every society and culture of people known to humankind. For Native Americans, the mask served a very important function through its ceremonial use. Traditionally, mask wearers represented some supernatural being or sought to enlist the help of the supernatural by disguising themselves and participating in sacred rituals. The Iroquois False Face Society used the mask in curing illness and for keeping evil spirits at bay. The Cherokee used masks in what was known as "The Booger Dance" usually performed in the late fall or winter. The masks wearers represented ghosts or spirits that were thought to be responsible for illness and misfortune. It is thought that "The Booger Dance", was a symbolic ceremony and was a communal effort, through parody, to expel the disharmony introduced by disease or misfortune.

The mask was further used by the Cherokee to emphasize the transitory nature of various social roles that people play; the exchange of masks was used to signify a switching of roles and was deemed appropriate for certain situations and not for others. Following ceremonial participation, mask wearers often reveal their "true selves" by taking away the mask.

See also

• Cherokee mythology
• Cherokee Clans
• Cherokee Moons Ceremonies
• Green Corn Ceremony
• Unto These Hills
• Trail of Tears
• Ani-kutani
• Cherokee black drink
• Stomp Dance
• Gadugi

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Cherokee society", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki