The Heritage of the Cherokee Tribes

Origin

The Cheorkee tribes are Iroquoian-speaking people who migrated to the South Eastern part of the United states perhaps around a 1000 years ago before the Eurpean arrival. We don't know the extact time or reasons for their migration, they settled in the southern Appalachian Mountains, a region surrounding parts of  the present day North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. They interacted and mingled with the Mississippian culture that was  present in the region for centuries.  By the time the Europeans came, they became one of the prominent indigenous groups in the South Eastern region.

Cultural Traditions

The Cherokee society is organized around matrilineal clans kinship system where the lineage and inheritance are passed through the mother's line.  The Cherokee tribes use storytelling within their society to pass down history and lessons from generations to generations. Women play a significant role in ther community and decision making. They contribute in agriculture and help in maintaining the cultural traditions. Men are responsible for hunting and warfare if necessary. Their subsistence strategy is a blend of hunting, gathering, and agriculture. They are very skilled agriculturalists, cultivating a variety of crops, with corn serving as a dietary staple.

The live near the fertile valleys along the reivers. Their life is interwinged with the natural world. There is task division based on the age and gender.  Cherokee tribes also have a rich mosaic of art through pottery making, basket weaving, and beadwork as a means of connecting with nature and spreading meaningful messages. Music and dancing are another key component of their culture which are integral part of their gatherings and ceremonies, with rhythmic drumming and singing accompanying the raditional dances like the Stomp Dance. The Stomp Dance is a dance performed to honor nature, organisms, and their ancestors.  Most of their  artistic expressions and traditions reflected their deep connection to the nature and their ancestors.

Beliefs

They believe in a Great Spirit who controls the Universe and a multitude of spirits inhabiting the natural world, including animals, plants, and celestial bodies.  Rituals and ceremonies performed to maintain equilibrium between the physical and spiritual realms. These ceremonies often involved dances, songs, and the use of sacred herbs and medicines. Shamans, or medicine people, played a crucial role in Cherokee society, acting as healers and spiritual guides. They possessed knowledge of herbal remedies and conducted ceremonies to please spirits and ensure the well being of the community. Cherokee beliefs emphasized respect for the nature and its resources, recognizing the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of living in harmony with nature.

The Trail of Tears

The U.S. Government forcefully made the Cherokee leave their homeland in the 1830s. This journey was known as the Trail of Tears as it resulted in the death of thousands due to the dangerous journey. They were forced to move to Oklahoma, but even here, they built back and maintained their culture. 

Contributions to Society

Cherokee tribes have made a significant impact in society through politics and art. The native foods and agricultural practices of the Indigenous peoples, especially growing staple crops like corn proved beneficial to the Southern cuisine and early European settlers. Both women had an extensive understanding of healing plants, some of which are still studied today. They are one of the first tribes with their language written due to the creation of Cherokee syllabary by Sequoyah.  

It is both a cultural treasure and an act of intellectual creativity that attested the rupture from oral traditions to literacy where Sequoyah created his own syllabary for Cherokee language. Additionally, the members of the Cherokee Nation possess a rather advanced government system with its own separate and written constitution which has influenced both legal and political thought. Their warriors valiantly fought side-by-side with American troops in countless battles, safeguarding the United States and helping establish its foundation. Despite these challenges, the Cherokee have maintained their rich cultural practices and continue to contribute their artistic, storytelling and resilient spirit to American society.

Preserving Cherokee Heritage

The story of the US government and its relationship with the Cherokee is a long one, where stories of conflict and removal overshadow some lighter moments of protection intertwined within. The early treaties aimed at peace and demarcation of borders but acknowledged, however imperfectly, Cherokee sovereignty. Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831),  affirmed the Cherokee Nation as a distinct political community, although President Jackson ignored this opinion. Despite such efforts, they remained sporadic , but unfortunately it did not stop the tragedy of the Trail of Tears. The case of the US government and the Cherokee is a clear example of this tension between justice on paper versus the practicalities of westward expansion leading to land acquisition.

As one of the most influential tribes in America, Cherokee culture has been preserved through education, landmarks, and oral stories. The Cherokee language, Tsalagi, is being preserved through educational programs and by passing down the language to Cherokee tribe children in order to keep the language present throughout future generations. 

Conclusion

The Cherokee have undergone extremely horrific events in their history. However, their resilience is evident in the quick adaptability and perseverence shown throughout their story. Their history plays a pivotal role in the United States history.