Cherokee society
Encyclopedia
Cherokee society refers to the society
and culture
of the Cherokee
(or ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯᎢ (a-ni-yv-wi-ya-i) in Cherokee language
) 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 the majority of the tribe was forcefully moved to Indian Territory
.
Cherokee society was traditionally organized into seven clans, with Cherokee villages having two governmental units (with one government handling affairs in peacetime and the other during times of war) and a medicine chief who would resolve disputes between the Red Chief and White Chief should they disagree. Family was also central to Cherokee society. During the year, the Cherokee celebrated the Cherokee Moons Ceremonies
.
The capital of the Cherokee Nation
and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
is Tahlequah, Oklahoma
. According to local legends, after the arrival of the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, the three chiefs of the Cherokee People (Red Chief, White Chief, and the Medicine Chief) had scheduled a rendezvous near present day Tahlequah in order to select a site to settle and use as the seat of local government. When they arrived at the site of present day Tahle-quah, only two of the three chiefs arrived on time. After waiting for the third chief to arrive and gain consensus, the two chiefs went ahead and approved the site and named it "Tahle-quah". In Cherokee, "Tahle" represents the number two and "quah" means "it's enough", or translated as "Two is enough", indicating the two chiefs present constituted a quorum and felt they could make the decision on the townsite for the Cherokee Nation Capitol without waiting for the third chief to arrive. The legend does not state which of the three chiefs were not present, but it was believed to have been the White Chief who was late.
The number "seven" was sacred to the Cherokee from ancient times. It represented the seven levels of spiritual attainment and the seven levels of material manifestation in the world of the Cherokee. It also represented the seven levels of the universe in Cherokee spiritual beliefs. 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.
The clan provided many important functions including care for orphans and the destitute, and hospitality for visiting clan members from other towns. This practice was referred to as Gadugi
in ancient times.
custom, an ancient Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni belief, was usually made by an older male of the victim's clan
if it could not be taken by his oldest brother. The Cherokees believed that balance had to be restored in order to preserve the balance of forces between the two worlds, the spirit world, and the world of physical reality, and 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 the Cherokee People.
fire.
of the tribe
, the chief's right-hand man, prime counselors
(one from each clan unit), a council of elder
s, a chief speaker
, and a Council of Grandfathers. This is the organization
that made the decisions which affected the tribe during their times of peace.
s. The seven war counselors were in charge of declaring war when they felt the circumstances made it necessary. The Council of Grandmothers would declare the fate of captives and prisoners
that were taken in times of war.
were the enemies of the Cherokee. After the arrival of Europeans, Booger Masks began to appear with large
eyebrows, mustaches, beards, and bald heads, similar to the appearance of Europeans.
The Booger Masks were made from large gourds, hornets nests, buckeye, or poplar wood. Booger Masks have
become increasingly plentiful in modern times and are mass produced and sold to tourists in Cherokee, North Carolina
which explains their pervasiveness and popularity.
The Bear Dance, Beaver Dance, and Forest Buffalo Dances also employed masks. Buffalo masks were typically fashioned from Buckeye wood. Both Bear and Beaver masks were made from the fur hides of each animal and were worn loosely or sewn.
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
and culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
of the Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
(or ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯᎢ (a-ni-yv-wi-ya-i) in Cherokee language
Cherokee language
Cherokee is an Iroquoian language spoken by the Cherokee people which uses a unique syllabary writing system. It is the only Southern Iroquoian language that remains spoken. Cherokee is a polysynthetic language.-North American etymology:...
) 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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
before the majority of the tribe was forcefully moved to Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
.
Cherokee society was traditionally organized into seven clans, with Cherokee villages having two governmental units (with one government handling affairs in peacetime and the other during times of war) and a medicine chief who would resolve disputes between the Red Chief and White Chief should they disagree. Family was also central to Cherokee society. During the year, the Cherokee celebrated the Cherokee Moons Ceremonies
Cherokee Moons Ceremonies
The Cherokee Moons Ceremonies were the ancient seasonal round of ceremonies practiced during ancient times by the Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya or Principle People in the ancient culture. Although a modern calendar year comprises 12 months, there are actually 13 cycles or phases of the moon each year...
.
The capital of the Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation is the largest of three Cherokee federally recognized tribes in the United States. It was established in the 20th century, and includes people descended from members of the old Cherokee Nation who relocated voluntarily from the Southeast to Indian Territory and Cherokees who...
and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe of Cherokee Indians headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The United Keetoowah are also referred to as the UKB...
is Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Tahlequah is a city in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States located at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. It was founded as a capital of the original Cherokee Nation in 1838 to welcome those Cherokee forced west on the Trail of Tears. The city's population was 15,753 at the 2010 census. It...
. According to local legends, after the arrival of the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, the three chiefs of the Cherokee People (Red Chief, White Chief, and the Medicine Chief) had scheduled a rendezvous near present day Tahlequah in order to select a site to settle and use as the seat of local government. When they arrived at the site of present day Tahle-quah, only two of the three chiefs arrived on time. After waiting for the third chief to arrive and gain consensus, the two chiefs went ahead and approved the site and named it "Tahle-quah". In Cherokee, "Tahle" represents the number two and "quah" means "it's enough", or translated as "Two is enough", indicating the two chiefs present constituted a quorum and felt they could make the decision on the townsite for the Cherokee Nation Capitol without waiting for the third chief to arrive. The legend does not state which of the three chiefs were not present, but it was believed to have been the White Chief who was late.
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 (ᎠᏂᏌᎰᏂ (a-ni-sa-ho-ni) in Cherokee) made a medicine from a bluish colored plant called the Cherokee black drink for purification ceremonies.
- Long Hair (also Twister, Hair Hanging Down, or Wind) Clan (ᎠᏂᎩᎶᎯ (ah-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 (ᎠᏂᏥᏍᏆ (a-ni-tsi-s-qua) in Cherokee) were the keepers of the birds, skilled in using blowguns and snares for bird hunting.
- Paint Clan (ᎠᏂᏬᏗ (a-ni-wo-di) in Cherokee) made red paint and gathered the sacred colors used in the ceremonies.
- Deer Clan (ᎠᏂᎠᏫ (a-ni-a-wi) in Cherokee) were the keepers of the deer and were known as fast runners and deer hunters.
- Wild Potato (also Bear, Raccoon, or Blind Savannah) Clan (ᎠᏂᎦᏙᎨᏫ (a-ni-ga-do-ge-wi) in Cherokee) gathered the wild potato in swamps along streams for food.
- Wolf Clan (ᎠᏂᏩᏯ (a-ni-wa-ya) 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. It represented the seven levels of spiritual attainment and the seven levels of material manifestation in the world of the Cherokee. It also represented the seven levels of the universe in Cherokee spiritual beliefs. 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
Discipline
In its original sense, discipline is referred to systematic instruction given to disciples to train them as students in a craft or trade, or to follow a particular code of conduct or "order". Often, the phrase "to discipline" carries a negative connotation. This is because enforcement of order –...
and instruction in hunting and warfare rested not with the child's father, but with his maternal uncle.
The clan provided many important functions including care for orphans and the destitute, and hospitality for visiting clan members from other towns. This practice was referred to as Gadugi
Gadugi
Gadugi is a term used in the Cherokee language which means "working together" or "cooperative labor" within a community.Historically, the word referred to a labor gang, of men and/or women, working together for projects such as harvesting crops or tending to gardens of elderly or infirm tribal...
in ancient times.
Blood revenge
The blood revengeRevenge
Revenge is a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. It is also called payback, retribution, retaliation or vengeance; it may be characterized, justly or unjustly, as a form of justice.-Function in society:Some societies believe that the...
custom, an ancient Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni belief, was usually made by an older male of the victim's clan
Clan
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
if it could not be taken by his oldest brother. The Cherokees believed that balance had to be restored in order to preserve the balance of forces between the two worlds, the spirit world, and the world of physical reality, and 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
Civilization
Civilization is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally...
, and it was universally accepted by the Cherokee People.
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 sacredSacred
Holiness, or sanctity, is in general the state of being holy or sacred...
fire.
Villages
Each village of the Cherokees had two governmental units: 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. There was also a Medicine Chief who would break the tie during voting when the Red Chief and White Chief could not agree on an issue.White government
The white government consisted of the ChiefParamount chief
A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple...
of the tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
, the chief's right-hand man, prime counselors
Councillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
(one from each clan unit), a council of elder
Elder (administrative title)
The term Elder is used in several different countries and organizations to indicate a position of authority...
s, a chief speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
, and a Council of Grandfathers. This is the organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
that made the decisions which affected the tribe during their times of peace.
Red government
The red government consisted of a Great Red War Chief, The Great War Chief's Second, seven War Counselors, the Chief War Speaker, Messengers, Ceremonial Officers and War ScoutReconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
s. The seven war counselors were in charge of declaring war when they felt the circumstances made it necessary. The Council of Grandmothers would declare the fate of captives and prisoners
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
that were taken in times of war.
Naming
The father of a Cherokee and the ranking grandmother of the father's clan had the right in traditional Cherokee society to name any children born of a Cherokee marriage. The ceremony was typically performed within seven days of birth and the child was taken to a running body of water, and the seven places ceremonially washed with water.Traditional use of masks
The Cherokee used masks in numerous dances. One such dance, known as "The Booger Dance", was usually performed in the late fall or winter. The Booger masks were made to represent the faces of Indian tribes whowere the enemies of the Cherokee. After the arrival of Europeans, Booger Masks began to appear with large
eyebrows, mustaches, beards, and bald heads, similar to the appearance of Europeans.
The Booger Masks were made from large gourds, hornets nests, buckeye, or poplar wood. Booger Masks have
become increasingly plentiful in modern times and are mass produced and sold to tourists in Cherokee, North Carolina
Cherokee, North Carolina
Cherokee is a town in Swain County, North Carolina, USA, within the Qualla Boundary land trust. It is located in the Oconaluftee River Valley, near the intersection of U.S. Route 19 and U.S...
which explains their pervasiveness and popularity.
The Bear Dance, Beaver Dance, and Forest Buffalo Dances also employed masks. Buffalo masks were typically fashioned from Buckeye wood. Both Bear and Beaver masks were made from the fur hides of each animal and were worn loosely or sewn.
See also
- Cherokee mythologyCherokee mythologythumb|The [[water spider]] is said to have first brought fire to the inhabitants of the earth in the basket on her back.This article concerns itself with the mythology of the Cherokee, Native Americans indigenous to the Appalachias, and today are enrolled in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,...
- Green Corn CeremonyGreen Corn CeremonyThe Green Corn Ceremony is an English term that refers to a general religious and social theme celebrated by a number of American Indian peoples of the Eastern Woodlands and the Southeastern tribes...
- Unto These HillsUnto These HillsUnto These Hills is an outdoor historical drama staged annually at the 2800-seat Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee, North Carolina. It is the second oldest outdoor historical drama in the United States, after The Lost Colony in Manteo, North Carolina...
- Ani-kutaniAni-kutaniThe Ani-kutani were the ancient priesthood of the Cherokee people. According to Cherokee legend, the Ani-Kutani were slain during a mass uprising by the Cherokee people approximately 300 years prior to European contact. This uprising was sparked by the fact that the Ani-Kutani had become corrupt...
- Stomp DanceStomp DanceThe Stomp Dance is performed by various Eastern Woodland tribes and Native American communities, including the Muscogee, Yuchi, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Delaware, Miami, Caddo, Ottawa, Peoria, Shawnee, Seminole, Natchez, and Seneca-Cayuga tribes...
- Wild onion festivalWild Onion FestivalWild Onion festivals are part of the cultural lives of southeastern Native American tribes who were removed to Oklahoma. The event revolves around the appearance of wild onion shoots in the Spring, a food that was familiar to most of the Tribes east of the Mississippi."Wild onion" refers to several...