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Peoples of Appalachia

Peoples of Appalachia. Introducing Appalachian Studies. Article Information.

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Peoples of Appalachia

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  1. Peoples of Appalachia Introducing Appalachian Studies

  2. Article Information • "Of all the stereotypes that haunt Appalachia, perhaps the most deceptive is that Appalachians are a homogenous people with a single cultural heritage." Stevan R. Jackson from “Peoples of Appalachia” essay in “Handbook to Appalachia” • 1909 West Virginia Department of Mines, Report of the Chief Inspector; four counties • Eighteen racial or ethnic origins for miners: Native (white), Black, Italian, Hungarian, Slavish, Polish, Russian, Greek, English, German, Romanian, Scottish, Austrian, Lithuanian, Litvich, Swedish, Irish, Syrian • Total Miner Population: 33,202 • From Diverse Groups: 22,292

  3. Cherokee • Cherokee are predominant group, but 15 to 17 major Native American tribes existed in Appalachia in 1600s • Cherokee called themselves "Ani-Yunwiya" or "the principle people" • Aid to white settlers: how to build cabins; slash-and-burn method of farming • Cherokee were relatively divided with no single government in this time period, but way of life was broadly similar • Guiding principle was “harmony ethic,” which included avoiding direct conflict in order to maintain group harmony and being generous to family members • Several politically-independent villages but similar way of life

  4. Cherokees • Both Patriarchal and Matriarchal • Patriarchal: council of “beloved old men” who made decisions for village • Matriarchal: Cherokee clan system membership was based on mother's clan membership, and each village had representative membership from all 7 clans • Cherokee did not marry within their own clan • One could legally avenge murder of someone within your clan • Cherokee belief that animals, plants, rivers, and other objects had spirit/soul (called animism).  • Green Corn Feast in late September reflects importance of agriculture, which was based on slash-and-burn farming • Women tended gardens, men hunted

  5. Cherokee Assimilation • After Revolutionary War, US began to assimilate the Cherokee into the new economic and political system • Three distinct divisions form among Cherokee • Anglo-Cherokee – generally “mixed bloods” who adopted Protestant capitalist ethic of individual accumulation of wealth through hard work • Non-traditionalist Cherokee – accepted some of Anglo-American culture: log cabins, individual farmsteads, cattle herding, and plow agriculture; retained traditional language & beliefs • Traditionalist Cherokee – rejected dominant society, keeping village life, communal support and harmony ethic, and traditional food production and collection methods • Would become the poorest Cherokee

  6. Cherokee Written Language • Sequoyah (George Gist) • Introduced written Cherokee syllabary in 1821 – single-handedly • Apparently, wife thought it was black magic and burned his workplace • Led to printed version of Cherokee constitution of 1827, establishing Cherokee Nation with capital in New Echota, Georgia

  7. Melungeons • Origins? A complex mystery • As early as 1690, referred to themselves as "Portyghee" • Theories: • Mixture of "Indian, black, and white" • Progeny of shipwrecked Portuguese who married Cherokees • Descendants of Sir Walter Raleigh's "Lost Colony" who disappeared from Roanoke Island (no evidence to support this, but very interesting nevertheless) • DNA Tests are now shedding light on this fascinating discussion • In central Appalachia prior to the latter half of the 20th Century, to call someone a Melungeon was an insult. In the 21st Century, we now have the Melungeon Heritage Association and general acceptance of the idea of being Melungeon.

  8. Ulster Scots • Delivered most of the settlers into Appalachia early in settlement development • Reasons for relocating: oppressive laws, taxes, unusually harsh winters, potato crop failures, epidemics among livestock, economic repression • Widely considered the predominant group in Appalachia, but probably contributed at most 25% of the existing population of the region.

  9. English • "Owners" of colonies - migrated from the East, often introducing the idea of slavery to the mountains • Rugby, TN is an interesting case study of Victorian influence well beyond the Revolutionary War

  10. African Americans • Black Africans met Native Americans in 1500s with Spanish • Brought memories, heritage, language, songs, customs, and ...? (THE BANJO) • Jonesborough, TN in 1820 (right in the heart of Appalachia): The Emancipator helps lead the way toward emancipation of slaves • Expansion of industry brings many African Americans to coalfields after the Civil War

  11. Germans • In early Appalachia, looked as if Germans would be predominant group • German and Scots-Irish shared music and storytelling • Dulcimer also has German origins

  12. Italians • Came primarily due to increased labor market: coal • Met at America's "entrance" and brought to coalfields • Sometimes lied to • Sometimes guarded until work was up • The mandolin has Italian origins

  13. Other Groups • Welsh • Hispanics • Asians • Jews • Amish • Hungarians • Etc. • Essentially, Appalachia is a melting pot, much like the rest of the United States.

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