Cameron Mckegney

Global Connections 2102

Tina Katsanos

April 3rd, 2017

Of the Native American Indian tribes, the largest groups of Indians to settle in the
Americas were the Cherokee Indians. They were one of five who originally started in the Great
Lakes region but has now settled towards the east coast in states like Virginia, North Carolina,
Georgia, Tennessee and Oklahoma. The Cherokees were a very superstitious group of indigenous
people who appreciated and respected nature and the resources it provided for them. The
Cherokees developed a unique set of hunting traditions that included many ancient techniques as
well as local folklore and polytheistic type of religion.
The Cherokees used a variety of weapons for hunting and warfare. They were skilled
craftsmen who favored the bow and arrow we can familiarize ourselves with today. They made
the bows out of flint, hickory, bear oil, feathers, sycamore, wood and cane shaft. Other weapons
that were used included stone clubs, spears and axes. Stone was durable enough to withstand
harsh blows and heavy enough to kill the animal if it was struck. The stone was applied to wood,
sharpened and then held together by leather.
While hunting, the Cherokees used many religious rituals into their hunting traditions.
First off the natives divided their labor, women and children worked in the fields while men were
responsible for hunting and providing food. Four days before and after a hunt they would abstain
from sex. They thought of this as purification to please the spirits (Broadley 2008). Water and
fire were the two great gods of hunting. Days before a hunting quest the hunter would dip into a
region of water around sundown while singing and reciting an ancient chant. The next day the
hunter would fast until sundown and again dip into the same water reciting the ancient chant. On
the third day, the hunter was allowed prepare, cook and eat a meal for him and his family. After
the dinner, he was to dump the ashes from the fire all over his chest. After pleasing the gods, they
would start on their hunting expedition the following morning. While hunting, the Cherokee
hunters would constantly pray to the mountains, rivers and winds in hope for success. Once they
killed and animal the Cherokees would pray for forgiveness to the gods for taking an animals
life. Ritual says if a deer was to ever be killed they would cut the tongue and other parts of meat
from the deer and throw it into a fire as a sacrifice. Technological rituals can be associated with
the Cherokees rituals and sacrifices to nature. Technological rituals are rituals that seeks to
produce any type of change in nature so humans can benefit, this is exactly what the Cherokees
do.
As the Cherokees hunted they developed certain taboos that were to be avoided while
hunting. Due to religious beliefs, wolves, eagles and rattlesnakes were sacred to the Cherokees
and not allowed to be killed under any circumstance. Only on certain occasions were these
animals to be killed. Those occasions were called ceremonies. For those ceremonies, only a
special pack of hunters was ordered to find and kill these animals. If a deer was ever to be killed
the hamstrings or sinews were not to be eaten, they were to be left on the carcass as a sign of
respect to the spirit of the animal.
 The rattlesnake is respected among the tribe and feared as they associated it with having
supernatural connections with the thunder and rain gods. The rattlesnake is greatly prized for its
medical uses. Its oil, flesh, rattles and teeth can contribute to healing the sick or curing diseases.
Only certain Priests will take part in the killing of the snake who know the necessary rites and
formulas for retrieving pardon. This ritual could act as a therapeutic or anti-therapeutic ritual by
seeking ways to heal the sick and bring them back to a good state of health. Once the snake is
killed it is said that the head of the snake must be cut off and buried about two feet into the
ground or arm deep. The snakes carcass should then be transported away in a hollow log. If
nothing is done with the body of the snake is exposed t weather the angry snakes will send such
torrents of rain that all the streams will overflow their banks (Red Path, Native American
legends 2004). Rituals then says the snakes spirit will tell their friends and this will affect
hunting for the tribe in the worst way possible.
The Eagle signified courage, wisdom and strength. They said the purpose of the eagle
was to send messages to the Creator. The eagle carried prayers to the Great Spirit and had
connections with visions. Eagle feathers were sentimental and the bones of eagles were used for
flutes or whistles at their religious ceremonies and rituals. During prayer it was a custom to hold
an eagle feather during special council meetings.
For the Cherokee Indians, some common features that take place in their indigenous
traditions include religious traditions rather than religion, every act of life as a religious
expression, and consonance with nature. Sometimes they offer thanks to nature by participating
in the well-known dance called the Sun Dance. The young men get their bodies painted and are
taught the dance by their elders. They go into a trance where they would have vision dreams and
meet with the spirts of their elders. This group of Native Americans valued nature more than
other tribes. They respected the gods and spirits associated with their tribe and region. The
Cherokees pride themselves on their large population and their heritage. The largest population
of this tribe settles in Oklahoma where they are federally recognized as a community by the
government with thousands of residents.
Native American Legends. (n.d.). Retrieved April 06, 2017, from http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-
Html-Legends/TheSnakeTribe-Cherokee.html

Dalleva, Nick. "The Cherokee Indians & Their Rituals." Free Articles, Free Web Content,
Reprint Articles. N.p., 27 Aug. 2010. Web. 06 Apr. 2017.

Writer, Leaf Group. "Cherokee Hunting Traditions." Sciencing. Leaf Group, n.d. Web. 06 Apr.
2017.