The Cherokee Culture is a broad spectrum that encompasses the unique ethnic heritage, traditional beliefs, rituals, language, art, and history of the Cherokee people. This rich and distinctive culture has survived and evolved significantly through centuries, despite numerous historical calamities, such as forced mass relocation and cultural assimilation efforts by the U.S. government. This article provides an in-depth insight into the Cherokee culture and its contributions to enrich the tapestry of American Indian heritage.
Language and Alphabet
The language of the Cherokee people, Tsalagi Gawonihisdi, is part of the Iroquoian family (1). It is moreso unique because it is polysynthetic, meaning words are composed of many parts. Cherokee speakers can often express complex ideas in a single word. The existence of the Cherokee syllabary – an alphabet formulated in the early 19th century by Sequoyah, a Cherokee silversmith, demonstrates the resilience and inventiveness of the Cherokee people.
Sequoyah’s syllabary enabled the Cherokee nation to achieve literacy rapidly. The Cherokee alphabet comprises 85 characters, each representing a distinct sound in the Cherokee language. This marking is one of the most significant achievements in Native American history and contributed immensely to the renaissance in Cherokee writing and literature (2).
Art, Craft, and Music
Cherokee arts have remained vibrant, exhibiting the tribe’s skill, creativity, and spirituality. Cherokee crafts are diverse, ranging from pottery, basket-weaving, and beadwork to wood carving – all articulate expressions of their cultural narratives. These crafts exhibit complexity, from functional design to symbolic representation.
Cherokee pottery is known for its unique shapes and styles, adorned with symbolic engravings. Cherokee basketry is famous for its traditional double-weave design and the use of natural materials. Meanwhile, Cherokee beadwork, displayed in traditional clothing and accessories, narrates tribal stories and ward off evil forces.
Cherokee music, often accompanied by dancing, plays an integral role in their ceremonies and storytelling. The music typically includes drums, rattles, flutes, and vocals, with a distinct style that has influenced various genres of American music.
Societal Structure
The societal structure of the Cherokees is based on a matrilineal system, where descent and inheritance are traced through the mother’s line of the family. The Cherokee clans, seven in total, influenced their lives significantly, playing a crucial role in marriage, warfare, and politics.
The roles of men and women were clearly defined. Men were primarily responsible for hunting, warfare, and diplomacy, while women were in charge of farming, property, and family. Interestingly, Cherokee society respected the idea of ‘Two Spirited’ individuals who could assume roles and clothing of the opposite sex.
Cherokee Religion
The Cherokee religion is a complex interweaving of myths, nature rituals, personal spirituality, and communal ceremonies aimed to honor the spiritual entities governing the world around them. An undeniably animistic worldview, demonstrating respect to nature and animals, is at the core of their spiritual beliefs.
One of the significant rituals is the annual Green Corn Ceremony, a time of purification, renewal, and thanksgiving, which coincided with the maize harvest (3). Cherokee mythology, enriched with intriguing tales of spirits, animals, and the origin of the world, is a fascinating aspect that provides insight into their understanding of existence and nature.
Conclusion
Understanding the Cherokee culture is to appreciate a dynamic, vibrant, resilient culture that has weathered centuries of challenges, change, and adaptation while preserving its unique essence. Today, the Cherokee nation strives to uphold these cultural treasures amidst modern influences, ensuring these art forms, rituals, and language are not merely relics of the past but living embodiments of their identity and lineage.