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Le Site D'histoire D'Alexandra Simonin
SINCE 2015
Location
The Cherokee Indians were one of the largest of five Native American tribes who settled in the American Southeast portion of the United States. The tribe came from Iroquoian descent. This proves that the Cherokees could have separated from the other Iroquois by branching off to the east as the main body migrated to the northeast.They had originally been from the Great Lakes region of the country, but eventually settled closer to the east coast. They chose to move from the Great Lakes as a result of a defeat in warfare.
Homes
Despite common myths, did you know the Cherokee actually didn't live in tee pee's? Rather, in the summer they lived in cabins constructed of logs that were roofed with bark. For the winter they would have lived in houses made of woven saplings. These were plastered with mud and roofed with poplar bark. There living habitats signifies that they weren't nomadic like the Plain Indians living in tee pee's. The Cherokee Indians were therefore very innovative in their creating their habitats.
Products
From the earliest times in Cherokee history, they valued agriculture. The raising of corn was interwoven with the spiritual beliefs of the people. The Cherokee name for corn "selu" is also the name of the First Woman in Cherokee folkloric stories. Cherokee villages were surrounded by vast cornfields as an offering to the First Woman. In comparison gardens were planted beside rivers and streams. In addition to corn, the Cherokee grew beans, squash, sunflowers, pumpkins, and other crops. As a result of the story, the women remained the primary farmers in the tribes.
Evidence suggests that the Cherokee migrated to the southern Appalachian Highlands from the north prior to European contact in 1540. Native groups bordering the Cherokee territory at that time included the Powhatan and Monacan to the northeast, the Tuscarora and Catawba to the east and southeast, the Creek to the south, the Chickasaw and Shawnee to the west, and the Mosopelea to the north. Generally speaking, Cherokee relations with all these groups during the early historic period were argumentative. Contact with Europeans dates from the mid-seventeenth century when English traders from Virginia began to move among native groups in the southern Appalachians. Following this contact between the 2, the Cherokee combined quite a bit with Whites. Peaceful Cherokee-White relations ended when war broke out with South Carolina in 1759.
Indians' Relation With the Europeans
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Bibliography
"Cherokee Indians." Indians.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. <http://indians.org/articles/cherokee-indians.html>.
Watkins, Thayer. "The History of the Cherokees." The History of the Cherokees. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. <http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/cherokee.htm>.
"FAQ - The Museum of the Cherokee Indian." The Museum of the Cherokee Indian. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. <http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/learn/faq/#q2>.
"Daily Life in Olden Timesfor KidsSoutheast Cherokee IndiansGovernment." Cherokee Indians. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. <http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southeast/cherokee/government.html>.
"Cherokee Indian Heritage." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. <https://www.pinterest.com/DesignerCakesCo/cherokee-indian-heritage/>.
Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://justinfriedrich.weebly.com/cherokee-indians.html>.
Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. Long, Cathryn J. The Cherokee. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2000. Print.<http://cherokeeofsouthcarolina.com/projects-HealthandDiet.html>.
Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://sites.google.com/site/goesmediafest/cherokee_indian_dance.jpg>.
Josephy, Alvin M. 500 Nations: An Illustrated History of North American Indians. New York: Knopf, 1994. Print.
Long, Cathryn J. The Cherokee. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2000. Print.
Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://wilstar.com/holidays/us/american-indian-heritage-day/>.
"10.2 The Cherokee Language and Syllabary." The Cherokee Language and Syllabary. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. <http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-newnation/4530>.
Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.google.com/search?q=cherokee+language&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAUQ_AVqFQoTCKPAz5us8McCFUg6PgodWTcMtQ>.
The Cherokee utilized a complex governmental system. The Cherokees would have lived in many villages but each village contained 2 chiefs. The white chief would have led in times of peace and a red in times of war and despair. This meant, if there was no action taking place the chiefs would have the roll of keeping the indians in shape by drilling them frequently. Although, in times when the peace time government were needed they had a council available if help were to be necessary. In peacetime, his right-hand and his speaker, along with six other men, helped the chief. These 9 men made up the Village Council. Also, there was a council house; the most important facility in each village. It was large enough to hold all villagers, including the children. When the council had an announcement to make, everyone in the village would have heard. Women also, believe it or not, had a chance at being involved in the Cherokee government. The Only restriction was that men were the only priests and chiefs, but women could offer advice and,could participate as council members when chosen by the village, just like the men.
The Cherokee Indians have the distinct physical appearnce associated with Native Americans. This includes high cheekbones, a bent nose, reddish brown skin tone and coarse, dark hair. Almond-shaped, heavy eyes are also a characteristic of Cherokee Indians.
Appearance
There are three federally recognized Cherokee tribes: the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, the United Keetoowah Band in Oklahoma, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. Other Cherokee communities in Alabama, Georgia, and other states are considered unofficial by the US government. The Eastern Cherokee people live on a reservation. Indian reservations are lands that belong to Native American tribes and are under their control. The Oklahoma Cherokees live on trust land, although many Cherokees call it a reservation instead. The Keetowah Cherokee do not have a land base. Also, suprisingly each Cherokee tribe has its own government, laws, police, and services, just like a small country. However, Cherokee Indians are also US citizens and must obey the American laws.
Interesting Facts
Government
Religion
The religion of the Cherokees had many concepts that are elemental and natural, such as Father Sky, which is equivalent to the Christian God. Cherokees also worship Mother Earth. They usually practiced there Christianity on reservations, it is sometimes practiced in private homes. Shapes are also of great importance to the Cherokee faith. For example, many dances are performed in a circular pattern. Fires are built in a continuous X so the fire burns in a circle. Rivers and similar moving bodies of water are held in high regard within the Cherokee faith. It is believed that rivers held qualities.of purification and trees like cedar and holly were medicinal. Therefore, the Cherokee Indians greatly relied on their enviroment in growing closer to Jesus Christ.
Roll of Men
Cherokee men played the role primarily of hunters.They were also in charge of protecting not only their family but also the tribe from animal attacks and other tribes. Also, in a more practical sense, men cut down trees to clear land for planting. They used the wood to build canoes, homes, and the pole fences around the villages. As well as this, they hunted, fished, made traps, nets, and fixed moccasins. Therefore, they served as the figure relied on for provisions.
