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First note It is hard to give a definition or a brief on the Cherokee Religion, because what one would have to consider their religion would be their entire culture. There is no separation between social life and religion, it all ties in together. Spirit is entwined with the physical. I will do my best to cover some of the more important aspects of Cherokee life, but know there is much, much more to it than is represented.
Folklore Folklore is an important part of Cherokee religion. The tales represent important life lessons, as well as answers to the unanswerable. An example of the latter is why the redbird is red and how the world came to be.
A Cherokee Fable The tortoise and the hare had a race. The tortoise got all her relatives to help on the day of the big race. She stationed them along the way. Each time the hare turned a bend in the path--there was a tortoise. The hare thought it was the same tortoise. Finally he just gave up. He wasn't outraced, he was outsmarted. My interpretation of this was that your physical abilities don’t matter if you are creative and sharp; and or it is better to think first before acting.
What the stars are like There are different opinions about the stars. Some say they are balls of light, others say they are human, but most people say they are living creatures covered with luminous fur or feathers. One night a hunting party camping in the mountains noticed two lights like large starts moving along the top of a distant ridge, They wondered and watched until the light disappeared on the other side. The next night, they saw the lights moving along the ridge, and after discussing the matter decided to go and see what was going on. In the morning, they went to the ridge and after searching some time, they found two strange creatures so large ( making a circle with outstretched arms ) , with round bodies covered with fine fur or downy feathers, from which small heads stuck out like the heads of terrapins. As the breeze played upon these feathers, showers of sparks flew out. The hunters carried the strange creatures back to the camp. They kept them several days, and noticed that every night they would grow bright and shine like great stars, although by day they were only balls of grey fur. They kept very quiet, and no one thought of their trying to escape when, on the seventh night, they suddenly rose from the ground like balls of fire and were soon above the tops of the trees. Higher and higher they went, while the wondering haunters watched, until at last they were only two bright points of light in the dark sky, and then the hunters knew that they were stars. This fable tells of something the Native Americans could not explain any other way.
Special Numbers • The numbers 4 and 7 are important to Cherokee culture, and you will often see them used in folklore and rituals. 4 represents the four cardinal directions. Each direction has certain characteristics: North: Blue - Winter, peace, and self reflection South:White - Summer, corn, happy children, and plentiful game East: Red - Spring, Dawn, Rebirth, New beginnings West: Black - Autumn, Death, The shadow life of the spirit The number 7 represents the seven tribes, the topmost height of purity and sacredness, as well as direction. It includes the four cardinal directions plus three others, all together making the sacred directions. Sun: Yellow - Creator, Great Spirit, aka Up Earth: Green - Mother Earth, and all of her bounty, aka down Self: Brown - Dedicates the heart to purity and honesty, aka center. Brown because it’s a combination of all colors
The Seven Tribes • The Wolf Clan (Ani-Wahya):The largest and most prominent clan, providing most of the war chiefs. They are the only clan who can kill a wolf. The Clan color is Red and their sacred wood is Hickory. The Panther Clan or Wildcat Clan (Ani-Sahoni): Thisclan’s color is Blue, and made blue medicine from a special blue plant (blue holly) to keep our children well. Their sacred wood is Ash. • The Long Hair Clan (Ani-Gilohi): aka Twister Clan, Hair Hanging Down Clan and Wind Clan. Those belonging to this Clan wear their hair in elaborate hairdos, and walk in a proud and vain manner twisting their shoulders. These are the politicians of the tribe. Peace chiefs are usually from this clan. Their color is Yellow and their sacred wood is Beech. The Deer Clan (Ani-Kawi) : They are the keepers and hunters of the Deer, and are known fast runners.Their color is Brown and their wood is Oak.
The Bird Clan or Red-Tailed HawkClan (Ani-Tsisqua): The people of this clan are the keepers of the birds and our messengers. This clan was skilled in bird hunting. Their color is Purple and sacred wood is Red Sumac. The Wild Potato Clan (Ani-Gatogewi): aka Bear Clan, Raccoon Clan and Blind Savannah Clan. They were known to gather the wild potato plants in swamps along streams to make flour or bread for food. The clan color is Green and the wood is Mountain Laurel. • Paint Clan (Ani Wo-di) :This is the clan of the Medicine Men and Priests. It is also the smallestand most secretive clan. They are the Keepers of the Sacred Flame (Ka-ie-la At-si-la Hi-ne-yu). They are the only ones that are allowed to make a special red paint and dye that are used for warfare and ceremonial purposes. Their color is White and their sacred wood is Locust.
Seven Nights of Creation It is believed that the Great Spirit told all the animals and plants, who were made before humans, to stay awake for seven days and nights. This time is referred to as the seven nights of creation. None of the plants or animals could stay up that long, none but the owl, cougar, pine, cedar*, spruce, holly, and laurel. The Great Spirit rewarded these creatures for their vigilance: The animals became nocturnal for staying up all night, and the plants would never lose their leaves to the winter. * Considered most sacred of all, distinguished red and white wood, blood of forgiveness. It can only be harvested if the proper person asks for its life, or it dies a natural death.
Cherokee M ns AniTsalagi Svnoyihi Each of the months had a different moon, each representing it’s own thing. Month Moon Cherokee Word January Cold Moon Unolvtan Fubruary Bony Moon Kagali March Windy Moon Anvyi April Flower Moon Kawoni May Planting Moon AniSguti June Green Corn Moon Tihaluhiyi July Ripe Corn Moon Guyegwoni August Fruit Moon Galoni September Nut Moon Duliidsdi October Harvest Moon Duninudi November Trading Moon Nudadequa December Snow Moon Usgiyi
Each month held special meanings, many simplified by the name of its moon. January "Cold Moon Dance" is held to signify the ending of one cycle of seasons and welcoming the beginning of the new cycle. Old hearth fires are put out and replaced by special This time is the same as the appearance of Venus (Sun’s daughter) on the horizon. February “Warriors’ Dance” is during this moon. Family meals are made with places set for those deceased between the men and the women in remembrance. March First New Moon of the new seasons. This is the traditional start of the new cycle of planting seasons. Wild onion dinners are held, and stomp dances begin. April "Knee Deep Dance" of the Spring or Water Frog was done at this time, to honor Long Man, who just now is beginning to let the rivers flow again. The flowers come up, and blessing of the plants occurs. New births, first greens, first medicinal herbs to deliver man from winter sickness and evil spirits also occur during this month.
Months (cont.) May "Corn Dance“ is a tradition during this time. It is also when crop preparation begins. Corn, beans, squashes, tomatoes, potatoes, yams and sunflowers are planted now. It is a time of forgiveness of sins, possibly even of murder. "Green Corn Dance" or festival is a tradition. First foods or the new planting and the roasting ears of corn are ready. Towns begin the cycle festivals, with thanks to Mother Earth abundant. Stick ball games are common entertainment, called AniStusti, "Little Brother of War".June First signs of the "corn in tassel", and many other plants sown are popping up. No big festivals in this month, but preparations for those of the next month. Help is given to the needy and elderly, and town renovation begins. July August Green Corn festivals are held during this moth also. The Wild Potato Clans start their harvests along the waterways, and the Paint Clans gather their herbs for medecine. Fruits of the trees and bushes are also gathered now. September "Ripe Corn Festival” is held to honor the spirit of the corn, also considered the first woman, Selu. The "Brush Feast Festival" also happens now. All the fruits and nuts are gathered and hunting begins.
December through March is time for storytelling and Booger Dances. Some stories can only be told during the winter, and cannot be written down. A Booger Dance is giddy and silly, with exaggerated masks and motion, mostly of animals. More Months… October "Harvest Festival" Nowatequa when the people give thanks to all the living things that help them to survive. Cheno i-equa or "Great Moon" Festival is traditionally held at this time. November "Friendship Festival" Adohuna , which means "new friends made". All sins except murder are forgiven, and reminisces of a time without selfishness and greed. All needy in the town get what they need for the coming winter. Most of the trading takes place now amongst the tribes. December The spirit being, "Snow Man", brings cold and snow to high places while the Earth lies in wait for the rebirth of the seasons. Storing food and telling of stories from old to young are some of the activities.
Witchcraft • Witchcraft to the Cherokee is a bit different than English beliefs. A witch is someone, a real person, who uses medicine for evil purposes, and it is the actions of one that cause some of the unexplainable events. • There are two types of witches, ordinary and killer. Thoughthe latter may sound more of a threat, the ordinary witches are actually more dangerous. This is because you can not tell them apart from regular humans, and their magic is harder to resist. Raven Mocker: This is the most well-known and dreaded of the killer witches. When a person is sick or dying, the Raven Mocker will come to take their life.
Raven Mocker • A Raven Mocker can be either male or female, and can appear old or young. When they start to get into battles over the energy they’ve stolen, they begin to look very old for their age. • The Raven Mocker comes at night, like many others of their kind, to steal the life of the ill. When they enter the victim’s home, they are invisible. • To get to their victim, they fly through the air, making the wind howl and sparks trail behind them. They often emit a loud cry like a raven as they dive. Those who hear this cower away, because they know someone’s life will soon end. • They will torment the victim until they die. To any average person, it looks like the patient is fighting for breath. They will then take out the liver and eat it, hence adding on as many days to their life as they have taken from the ill. No scar is left, but upon examination, the liver is clearly absent. • The only person who frightens killer witches are certain medicine men, who know the right kind of medicine that can drive them away. These are also the only people who can recognize the Raven Mocker, and once this has happened, they must die within 7 days. • Other witches are jealous of the Raven Mocker, and are also afraid to enter the same house as one. As revenge, they will often dig up the body after burial and abuse it.
The Little People There are many spiritual beings in the Cherokee religion that are a part of everyday life. Most people have an encounter with one of these beings at least once in their life. • When they choose to be seen (otherwise invisible) the Little People look just like regular Cherokee, but smaller and with very long hair. • They are kind and helpful to lost children (lost physically or emotionally by the hardships of growing up), and have bben known to take them in and teach them. They can also, however, be very mischievous. • They live in such places as rock shelters, thickets, mountain caves, but are most commonly found in Mountain Laurel. • Do not go looking for them though; because they do not like to be disturbed. Anyone who does has been caused to be ‘puzzled’ for life. • There are more rules to follow when dealing with the Little People. For example, if any one of them chooses to be seen, or is seen by accident, it must not be spoken of for at least seven years. It is also a custom not to talk about them after nightfall.
Anything the Little People teach has a use, intended to help the people. If it was ever talked about, though, that information could be taken from them. • Copper is a sacred metal, and it is custom to leave pennies lying around to please the Little People. • The Little People love drumming and dancing. It is important that, if you think you hear this, you do not investigate. • In other folklore, they are called Brownies.
Keetoowah's Bible The Cherokee people do not follow a book, like the Bible or Torah, per say. What you could consider their holy text is the Keetoowah’s Bible. It is a belt made of shell beads and pearls, woven with seaweed fiber. It was originally one belt; but a long, long time ago, it was cut into seven pieces by the priests. You see, the tribe was going to war, and they had foreseen which warriors would survive, so they gave a piece of the belt to each. The pieces were scattered, hidden, and some disappeared. In the process of this, the nation was divided into clans. Once the belt is sewn back together, it is believed that the nation will soon reunite. The belt has, in fact, been put back together, and resides in Oklahoma. The Keetoowah’s Bible is an un-detailed reminder of ancient traditions, and not a long story or creed like the major religious texts of today. The belt is very sacred, and is only brought out on extremely rare occasions. Non-natives are not allowed to look at it.
Ceremonial Pipes • Whenever guidance was asked of the Great Spirit, a difficult decision needed to be made, or something needed to be purified the pipes were smoked. • The head of the pipe was carved into a variety of designs out of stone. • They were filled with tobacco and aromatic herbs, then lit from the sacred fire, or of a preferred wood of the elders. The pipe has no soul if lit with a lighter. • The spirit of the pipe is found in the bowl, and it may reject a few stems before it finds one it likes. • After offering the smoke to the seven sacred directions, the pipes were passed around the council circle, and once you had taken a puff, you heart would lead you straight. You cannot be dishonest when holding a pipe, otherwise you will die. (didn’t work for the white man, because he didn’t know his own soul. • Pipes are passed down through the family, and different pipes are handed down in different fashions.
Sacred Things and Symbols Long Man-the rivers and other bodies of moving water. Water is used as purification and many other important things in different ceremonies. Circles- represents family. Many ceremonies and dances move in a circular pattern or motion. The sacred fire was built in the shape of an ‘X’ always, so that it would burn in a circular direction. Fire- a gift from the Great Spirit, can be lit only by priests and made only from oak, otherwise there will soon be bad luck. This is what separates man from animal. A long tale of the creation of fire will be saved for another time. * In all ceremonies, the elements of water, fire, and smoke must be present.
Location This is the area of the Cherokee when the split from the Iroquois Tribe was complete. Before the Cherokee were forced to move by the U.S. onto the Trail of Tears, this is where they lived. Today the Cherokee people are scattered all over the U.S., many are still on reservations. Wherever the Cherokee are, there is their religion.
Work Cited "Cherokee Religion." Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Open Source for the Human Soul. 16 Jan 2007 <http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/cher/index.htm>. Cooper, Karen. Personal interview. Feb. 2009. Vann, David. "Folklore." Cherokee By Blood. 16 Jan 2007 <http://www.cherokeebyblood.com/cherostories.htm>. Vann, David. "Religion." Cherokee By Blood. 16 Jan 2007 <http://www.cherokeebyblood.com/religion.htm>.
