What did the Cherokees believe in?
They believed the world should have balance, harmony, cooperation, and respect within the community and between people and the rest of nature. Cherokee myths and legends taught the lessons and practices necessary to maintain natural balance, harmony, and health.
What are some of the things the Cherokee tribe made?
For untold centuries, Cherokee artists have turned natural materials such as river cane, clay, wood, and stone into beautiful works of art. Basketry, pottery, stone carving, wood carving, bead working, finger weaving, and traditional masks are a few of the timeless forms of Cherokee art that endure today.
What did the Cherokee tribe wear?
In terms of clothing, many Cherokee wore a mixture of traditional and American attire such as linen shirts, deerskin moccasins, and leggings. It was not uncommon for warriors to wear beaded or decorative sashes, scarves, belts, and garters. Other ornamentation included silver gorgets, armbands, and earrings.
What did Cherokee speak?
Cherokee language, Cherokee name Tsalagi Gawonihisdi, North American Indian language, a member of the Iroquoian family, spoken by the Cherokee (Tsalagi) people originally inhabiting Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
How old is the Cherokee tribe?
According to tribal history, Cherokee people have existed since time immemorial. Our oral history extends back through the millennia. It’s recorded that our first European contact came in 1540 with Hernando DeSoto’s exploration of the southeastern portion of our continent.
How did the Cherokee tribe dress?
Cherokee men wore breechcloths and leggings. Cherokee women wore wraparound skirts made out of woven fiber or deerskin. They all wore moccasins on their feet. Men decorated their faces and bodies extensively with tribal tattoo art and also painted themselves bright colors in times of war.
How did the Cherokee eat?
Cherokee women did most of the farming, harvesting crops of corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers. Cherokee men did most of the hunting, shooting deer, bear, wild turkeys, and small game. They also fished in the rivers and along the coast. Cherokee dishes included cornbread, soups, and stews cooked on stone hearths.