By Jane Doherty, a freelance writer with a passion in indigenous cultures.
Sources used: The Cherokee Nation Official Website, Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian, Cherokee Heritage Center.
The Cherokee Nation, known as Tsalagi to the Cherokee people, has a rich and complex heritage. Situated in the Southeastern United States, the Cherokee were one of the five ‘civilized tribes’ who were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands during the 19th century. Despite enduring devastating effects from the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee Nation is a resilient society that has successfully held onto its traditions, history, and culture.
Cherokee History
Evidence from archaeological findings suggests that the Cherokee people have lived in North America for thousands of years. When European settlers arrived during the 16th and 17th centuries, conflicts ensued over land control, leading to a series of Cherokee Wars. As European settlers expanded westward, the Cherokee were ultimately coerced to leave their lands via the Indian Removal Act of 1830, leading to the infamous Trail of Tears.
The Trail of Tears was a series of forced removals of the Cherokee Nation and other Native American nations from their ancestral homelands, which occurred from 1831 to 1834. It is estimated that 4,000 of the 15,000 relocated Cherokee people lost their lives during the journey. This tragic event is a significant aspect of Cherokee history, and remembrance of this event is integral to Cherokee identity.
Despite the hardships they faced, the Cherokee people have managed to maintain their cultural heritage and rebuild their community, now primarily based in Oklahoma. Today, the Cherokee Nation is one of the largest tribes in the United States, with over 300,000 enrolled citizens.
Cherokee Culture and Tradition
Cherokee culture is rich and vibrant, encompassing a wide array of traditions, crafts, and ways of life. Key aspects of this culture include a strong belief in the interconnectedness of all life, values of reciprocity and balance, and a deep respect for elders and ancestors.
The Cherokee traditionally operated according to a matrilineal system, where clan membership, inheritance, and social status were passed down through the mother’s line. The Cherokee people are divided into seven clans: Ani-Wahya (Wolf Clan), Ani-Kituwhagi (Wild Potato Clan), Ani-Gilohi (Long Hair Clan), Ani-Sahoni (Blue Clan), Ani-Kawi (Deer Clan), Ani-Tsiskwa (Bird Clan), and Ani-Wodi (Paint Clan).
“Historically, the Cherokee people are a nation shaped by the belief that we are part of a larger, interconnected circle of all creation.” – John Hair Cultural Center and Museum
Cherokee Art and Crafts
Art plays an important role in Cherokee culture. Traditional Cherokee arts and crafts include basketry, pottery, beadwork, and weaving. These crafts serve both a functional role in daily life and a spiritual role, connecting the people with their ancestors’ teachings.
The basket weavers of the Cherokee Nation are renowned for their skill and artistry. Using materials such as river cane, white oak, and hickory bark, they produce elaborate designs that are both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Pottery is another significant art form within the Cherokee Nation. Utilizing their surroundings, they use a clay body, firing, and decorating methods that have been passed down through generations. Traditional pottery designs often include symbols and designs significant to the tribe’s history and mythology.
Cherokee Language and Education
Cherokee is an Iroquoian language spoken by the Cherokee people. It is unique in that it is the only Southern Iroquoian language, and it is the only language in North America with a syllabary, a set of written symbols that represent syllables, created for it. Sequoyah, a Cherokee silversmith, devised the Cherokee syllabary in the early 19th century, making the Cherokee people a literate nation prior to their European-American neighbors.
Today, preserving the Cherokee language and teaching it to younger generations is a significant focus in the Cherokee Nation’s institutions. Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program, Head Start, Immersion School, language department classes at Northeastern State University are a few examples of the initiatives to keep the Cherokee language alive.
Cherokee Government and Sovereignty
The Cherokee Nation is a sovereign nation, with its own legal system, police, and services. From decisions on tribal membership to issues of economic development, the Cherokee government is responsible for a wide range of areas within the nation. Current governance includes a Principal Chief, a Deputy Chief, and a Tribal Council.
Their sovereignty, however, has been a point of tension and contention, with ongoing disputes between the Cherokee Nation and the federal government. Despite such struggles, the Cherokee Nation continues to exercise their sovereign rights and work towards improving the lives of their people.
The Legacy of the Cherokee Nation
This brief walkthrough offers a mere glimpse into the Cherokee Nation’s vast cultural tapestry. From their incredible resilience in the face of hardship to their vibrant culture and traditions, the Cherokee people continue to be a testament to the enduring spirit of indigenous cultures. Their efforts to retain their heritage while embracing innovations provide invaluable lessons for us all. Society, at large, can learn much from their sustainable ways of living, their intricate social structures, and their profound respect for the natural world.
By understanding and appreciating the rich cultural heritage of the Cherokee Nation, we learn more than just about an Indigenous tribe; we learn about the collective history of humanity and a relationship with the earth that extends back thousands of years.
“We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism.” — Rigoberta Menchu, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, a K’iche’ Mayan from Guatemala.
So goes the sentiment of Indigenous Persons across the globe. Let’s respect and rejoice in the wealth of their traditions and wisdom they have to offer.
Sources:
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“Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center”. Retrieved from: cherokee.org
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“”The Cherokee People: The Story of the Cherokees from Earliest Origins to Contemporary Times” by Thomas E. Mails
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“”Cherokees in Transition: A Study of Changing Culture and Environment Prior to 1775”, by Douglas W. Boyce
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“The Cherokees (Indigenous Peoples of North America)” by Michael V. Uschan
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“Cherokee: A History of the American Indian” by Nathan H. Glickman
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Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian. Retrieved from: americanindian.si.edu
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Cherokee Heritage Center. Retrieved from: cherokeeheritage.org