Cherokee Culture

Britni Ingham&

Ashley Ledbetter

What roles do men and women have in a

Cherokee tribe? What is the family structure in the Cherokee

Culture? What is considered disrespectful in the

Cherokee Culture? What is an important holiday in the Cherokee

Culture? What is dating like in the Cherokee Culture? What are sweat lodges?

Questions

Roles of Men & Women

Family Structure Disrespectful Actions Important Holidays

Dating Habits Sweat Lodges

Research Topics

Internet Books

Encyclopedias Interviews Magazines

Newspapers

How Can I Find Answers?

Internet Websites

Interviews Reference Library

I Did Research By:

What roles do men and women have in a Cherokee

tribe? Cherokee Men- performed

more of the manual labor jobs such as…

cutting trees building canoes, homes, and

protection for their village made tools such as nets for

fishing and traps for hunting if a man could not build his

wife a house, he would move in with her family

Cherokee Women- were very different than what American women are…

were the warriors held the power over the

family, participated in government, and they actually fought as warriors

wove baskets

Family Structure

Family was very important and central to the Cherokee society.

They had a matrilineal family structure meaning everything was passed down on the mother’s side.

There were seven clans in the tribe.

At the time of marriage, the young people were required to marry outside their clan.

Family Structure continued…

The inheritance was based on the mother of a child so there was no discrimination against children born into the tribe from non-Cherokee fathers.

The women had use and control of the land and the clan membership came through the mother.

Family Structure continued…

Family groups called clans-

7 clans… Bear, Blue, Bird,

Paint, Deer, Wind, and Wolf

The eldest woman was always in charge of her clan

Families stayed close together like communities and lived near rivers for easy access to water for growing crops

Houses were close together with a council house for meetings

In some cultures including Native American

eye contact is thought to be disrespectful or rude.

Lack of eye contact does not mean that they are not paying attention.

Many women will avoid eye contact with men because it can mean or be taken as if they are showing sexual interest.

What can be considered disrespectful

Important Holidays

Cherokee National Holiday- an annual “homecoming” for friends and family of the Cherokee Nation.

This holiday celebrates the signing of the original Cherokee Constitution on September 6th 1839.

Celebrated over Labor Day weekend in Oklahoma and have done so since 1953

Important Holidays continued…

In the three days, there are over 60 events

They include bingo, gospel singing, softball, Sunday worship and Miss Cherokee Crowning

There is entertainment, cultural and athletic events, food, crafts, history, and musicThey have nearly 100,000 visitors from around the world.

Dating in the Cherokee Tribes

Their dating habits were much different than any American dating rituals

The main portion of their dating habits was known as the Crane Dance.

During the dance, women dressed up in bright clothes that they had decorated.

Men were able to see the available women because they would dance in costume for a few days.

Dating in the Cherokee Tribes continued…

If a young man found one of the girls interesting he would have to speak with his mother who would then talk with the mother of the girl he liked.

After that he will go to the the lodge after dark with only a candle to find her.

He wakes her and if she likes him she will blow out his candle and then the next day he will be part of her family

Dating in the Cherokee Tribe continued…

If the Cherokee woman did not like the man, the next day he would attempt to woo her by playing a Courting flute.

He will play until she comes over to him.

That night he will return to her lodge and hope she accepts him.

This type of ritual was thought to be special because it involved the family and the girl choosing her mate.

Sweat Lodges

In times of leisure (which were not very many) the Cherokee would relax in what was called a Sweat Lodge.

The lodge was a teepee with a large pit in the middle filled with hot rocks.

They would go into the lodge, now in swimsuits but with no clothing in the past, and pour water or green tea on the rocks to create steam.

Sweat Lodges continued…

When the steam was heavy, they were expected to pray and reflect on their day or week.

It was known to be very relaxing but very hot.

They would wait until the evening to begin this very soothing ritual.

Do most Cherokee Indians speak English? Do most Cherokee Indians wear feathers on

their head? Do Cherokee Indians navigate with canoes? What is an important Cherokee artifact? What is an important Cherokee weapon?

Would Still Like to Know…..

Works Cited

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southeast/cherokee/roles.html

http://www.indians.org/articles/native-american-dating.html

http://healthvermont.gov/family/toolkit/tools%5CF-6%20Cultural%20Differences%20in%20Nonverbal%20Communic.pdf

Works Cited continued…

www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/cherokee.htm

www.kidport.com/reflib/usahistory/NativeAmericans/cherokee.htm

www.cherokee.org/AboutTheNation/NationalHoliday/Default.aspx

Interview with Annabelle Moesch

All images from Google Images