Family life
The Cherokee had some rules in order to get married. One had to marry someone else from another clan. The tribe was separated into seven clans. A clan is a large group of family.
The Cherokee had some rules in order to get married. One had to marry someone else from another clan. The tribe was separated into seven clans. A clan is a large group of family.
Family member roles
- What were men and women's roles in the Cherokee tribe?
Like their distant cousins the Iroquois, the Cherokee Indians had an even division of power between men and women. Cherokee men were in charge of hunting, war, and diplomacy. Cherokee women were in charge of farming, property, and family. Men made political decisions for the tribe, and women made social decisions for the clans. Chiefs were men, and landowners were women.
Today, Cherokee gender role traditions have changed. Cherokee women can be chiefs and Cherokee men are sometimes farmers. - How do Cherokee Indian children live?
They do the same things all children do--play with each other, go to school and help around the house. Many Cherokee children enjoy hunting and fishing with their fathers. In the past, Cherokee kids had more chores and less time to play, just like colonial children. But they did have dolls, toys, and games to play. In one popular game, Cherokee kids tried to throw a dart through a moving hoop. Lacrosse was a popular sport among Cherokee teenagers and adult men. Like many Native Americans, Cherokee mothers traditionally carried babies in cradleboards on their backs--a custom which many American parents have adopted now.
Family traditions
Traditional Cherokee Wedding Ceremony
The Cherokee wedding ceremony is a very beautiful event. The original ceremony differed from clan to clan and community to community but basically used the same ritual elements.
Because clanship is martrilineal in the Cherokee society, it is forbidden to marry within one's own clan- Because the woman holds the family clan, she is represented at the ceremony by both her mother (or clan mother) and oldest brother. The brother stands with her as his vow to take the responsibility of teaching the children in spiritual and religious matters, as that is the traditional role of the 'uncle' (e-du-ji). The groom is accompanied by his mother.
After the sacred spot for the ceremony has been blessed for seven consecutive days, it is time for the ceremony. The bride and groom approach the sacred fire, and are blessed by the priest and/or priestess. All participants of the wedding, including guests we also blessed. Songs are sung in Cherokee, and those conducting the ceremony bless the couple. Both the Bride and Groom are covered in a blue blanket. At the right point of the ceremony, the Priest or priestess removes each blue blanket, and covers the couple together with one white blanket, indicating the beginning of their new fife together.
Instead of exchanging rings, in the old times the couple exchanged food. The groom brought ham of venison, or some other meat, to indicate his intention to provide for the household. The bride provided corn, or bean bread to symbolize her willingness to cart for and provide nourishment for her household. The gifts of meat and corn also honor the fact that traditionally, Cherokee men hunted for the household, while women tended the farms. It also reflects the roles of Kanati (first man) and Selu (first woman).
The couple drink together from a Cherokee Wedding Vase. The vessel holds one drink, but has two openings for the couple to drink from at the same time. Following the ceremony, the town, con-unity or clans provide a wedding feast, and the dancing and celebrating can go on all night.
Today, some Cherokee traditionalists still observe these wedding rituals. Them are also many variations on the ceremony.
REFERENCES
Traditional Cherokee Wedding Ceremony
The Cherokee wedding ceremony is a very beautiful event. The original ceremony differed from clan to clan and community to community but basically used the same ritual elements.
Because clanship is martrilineal in the Cherokee society, it is forbidden to marry within one's own clan- Because the woman holds the family clan, she is represented at the ceremony by both her mother (or clan mother) and oldest brother. The brother stands with her as his vow to take the responsibility of teaching the children in spiritual and religious matters, as that is the traditional role of the 'uncle' (e-du-ji). The groom is accompanied by his mother.
After the sacred spot for the ceremony has been blessed for seven consecutive days, it is time for the ceremony. The bride and groom approach the sacred fire, and are blessed by the priest and/or priestess. All participants of the wedding, including guests we also blessed. Songs are sung in Cherokee, and those conducting the ceremony bless the couple. Both the Bride and Groom are covered in a blue blanket. At the right point of the ceremony, the Priest or priestess removes each blue blanket, and covers the couple together with one white blanket, indicating the beginning of their new fife together.
Instead of exchanging rings, in the old times the couple exchanged food. The groom brought ham of venison, or some other meat, to indicate his intention to provide for the household. The bride provided corn, or bean bread to symbolize her willingness to cart for and provide nourishment for her household. The gifts of meat and corn also honor the fact that traditionally, Cherokee men hunted for the household, while women tended the farms. It also reflects the roles of Kanati (first man) and Selu (first woman).
The couple drink together from a Cherokee Wedding Vase. The vessel holds one drink, but has two openings for the couple to drink from at the same time. Following the ceremony, the town, con-unity or clans provide a wedding feast, and the dancing and celebrating can go on all night.
Today, some Cherokee traditionalists still observe these wedding rituals. Them are also many variations on the ceremony.
REFERENCES
http://napanews.tripod.com/id39.htm
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH1TmxhbdyA
by:
CONSTANZA RUIZ
JENNIFER ORTEGA
CAROLINA MIRANDA
JESSICA HUERTAS
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