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Cherokee Indian Culture Essay

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" 'Don’t forget the legacy we passed on. Don’t let it lapse. Pass it on, stronger and stronger to your children. Let the "Cherokee language laugh, speak and sing again. Let our history be known and discussed. Live by our wisdom. Don’t let us "die as a people. If you do then all our sacrifice will be for nothing and you will lose those things that fulfill your life,’”Chadwick “Corntassel” Smith. Cherokees believe in balance, and without that balance chaos will strike and punish them for their behavior and actions. Though many Cherokees died during the Trail of Tears the remaining still managed to withhold their beliefs.
The Cherokee is the largest nation of Native Americans with 275,000 people and often refer to themselves as “the real people” or “the principal people.” White fur traders often married or had relationships with daughters of chiefs created mixed-blooded Indians. The Cherokees originate …show more content…

Men and women had many responsibilities in their tribe. Men hunted while the women grew and planted corn, squash, beans, pumpkins, or sunflowers.Women also gathered nuts, roots, stems, leaves, berries and honey maple syrup for sugar. Importance of duties had the spotlight at weddings. The bride gave the groom an ear of corn and the groom gave the bride venison. This was an important part of life. Music and dance were also major parts of Cherokee tradition and everyday life. Dances have different themes and meanings connecting with the clans or focusing on animals. When crisis struck, the Cherokee blamed themselves and would punish themselves in various ways such as death. Moreover, the importance of such beliefs were a major part in Cherokee life.
Though many Cherokees died during the Trail of Tears the remaining still managed to withhold their beliefs. Cherokees had a strong belief of balance and duty. Women gathered and the men hunted. When duties were not completed and disaster struck, they blamed

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