The Rich Heritage of the Cherokee Tribes: Past and Present

Origin of the Cherokee Tribes

The history of the  Cherokee people is thousands of years old. In the beginning, they stayed near the southeastern part of the United States which includes areas now known as Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Due to archaeological evidences, it was discovered that the Cherokee people incorporated mound building in their culture as a result of being part of  Mississippian culture. Due to this, they were able to create their own language, social structures and cultural traditions.

Cultural Practices and Traditions

The Cherokee people hold many traditions and customs close to their hearts.  One key part of their culture is storytelling.  They use storytelling to pass down their history to the future generations and to pass down lessons.

The art involved in Cherokee culture is also rich. The art includes basket weaving, beadwork, and pottery making. The Cherokee people often use art as a way to connect to nature and as a method to spread meaningful messages.

Another key part of their culture is music and dancing. Dances such as the Stomp Dance are performed in order to commemorate their ancestors and once again nature and the organisms around them.

Tsalagi is the name for the Cherokee language.  There have been efforts to preserve the language as it holds great importance to the Cherokee people.

One such way to keep the language alive is by establishing educational programs. In this effort, kids are being taught Tsalagi in order to pass the language to more generations.

The Origins of the Cherokee Tribes

The Cherokee people live near present day Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina. One of their main qualities was their ability to make a strong community that contained adaptability

The Cherokee people cleverly build their shelters near rivers in order to have quick access to resources. They were also excellent farmers which helped them to grow their harvest. 

The Trail of Tears

In the 1830's, the Cherokee people underwent an extremely unfortunate series of events.  The US. Government forced the people to leave their land. This journey was known as the Trail of Tears.  This journey resulted in people dying from the gruesome journey.

The people were required to move to Oklahoma. Here the people showed great resilience by building their communities back.

Cherokee Culture and Traditions

The Cherokee people contain a very rich and diverse culture. Their language is crucial as it is what helps them pass down their culture and traditions.Tsalagi comes from the Iroquoian language family. 

Modern-Day Cherokee Tribes

As of today, there are three Cherokee tribes which include the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. Each of these tribes contain its own government.  These tribes uphold various programs to support their community including cultural events and educational programs.

Contributions to Society

The influence of the Cherokee people can be seen in various field of American society such as politics and art. One of these examples would be the Sequoyah ,who created the Cherokee syllabary. This allowed the Cherokee to be one of the first tribes to have language that is written.

Preserving Cherokee Heritage

The community has made it a priority to emphasize movements that push towards preserving Cherokee culture. One such way to do this that is effective is through education. By using education, the community can. ensure the richness of Cherokee culture can be understood and past to the next generations.

In order to preserve their history, many organizations work in order to document Cherokee history by using oral stories and landmarks.

In today's world, the Cherokee serve as one of the most influential tribes in America. 

Cherokee people are seen as an inspiration for their determination and their love for their community.

Conclusion

The Cherokee people have gone through gruesome events in the past, but have held strong to their community and built it back. 

The way they use various programs to preserve their history is truly admiring and inspirational. Their history plays a crucial role in the total history of the Untied States.