The weakness of the enemy makes our strength.
(Native American proverb attributed to the Cherokee Nation)
May the Great Spirit's
blessings always be with you.
(Native American proverb attributed to the Cherokee Nation)
Cherokee Stomp Dance
A firekeeper and his assistant begins early dawn
starting the official sacred fire.
He begins with small slivers of wood,
inner most part of an oak tree called the sponge,
flint and some rock to trigger a spark.
A medicine fire is also built where a small piece
of meat is then thrown in and pipes are lit
from the fire and a prayer follows.
The firekeeper does his job so well that he doesn't
have to come back until later in the day.
Sunrise: The men sit around talking about political issues and
the women prepare a meal for the day which consists
of traditional and modern food.
Later in the afternoon: Sermons are held in the Cherokee language.
The sermon includes telling all to love all mankind.
After the sermon, a stickball game is played--an ancient Cherokee
tradition that resembles the American La Crosse.
Sundown: Sermons continue. Each clan member takes turn by
taking seven puffs of the old ceremonial pipe.
The Chief, medicine men, and elders hold a meeting then they call
for the first dance. A second call is made.
The first dance is by invitation only,
tribal elders, elders, medicine men and clan heads.
The members gather to visit, feast and dance far into the night.
It is a holy place to worship God.
No littering, liquor and rowdy behavior.
Rules are written in the Cherokee language and posted
on a board hung up on a tree.
The dance participants include a leader, assistants and
one or more "shell-shaker girls" who wear leg rattles
traditionally made out of turtle shells filled with pebbles
but today some use cans filled with pebbles to
provide rhythmic accompaniment while they dance around the fire.
The ceremonial observance involves sacrificing meat to
the sacred fire at the center of the grounds, taking medicine and
going to water or river for ritual cleansing.
The Keetoowah's bible is not written on paper.
The words are woven into seven wampum belts
which are shown only in rare occasions.
The belts are very old, and are made of pearls and shell beads,
woven with seaweed fibers from the Gulf of Mexico.
The history behind the belt is that many years ago,
the tribe was preparing to go on to war with another tribe,
when the medicine men foresaw which would survive,
and cut the original wampum belt into seven pieces,
giving one to each warrior.
After the war, the belts were scattered, some being hidden
and disappearing, the last one was recovered
by Redbird Smith around 80 years ago.
There are seven arbors encircling the sacred fire.
Each arbor represents the seven clans.
Wolf (a-ni-wa-ya),
Wild Potatoe (a-ni-go-ta-ge-wi) also known as the Bear Clan,
War Paint (a-ni-wo-di),
Bird Clan (a-ni-tsi-ss-gwa),
Long Hair (a-ni-gi-lo-hi) also known as Twister or Wind
then the Blind Savannah as known as Blue (a-ni-sa-ho-ni).
The fire is very important to the Cherokee Tribe.
It is built at the bottom of a pit way below the ground and burns constantly.
When the fire at another stomp ground goes out,
it can be rekindled by long pieces of cane thrust down into the central blaze.
Cherokee Clan System
The Cherokee society is historically a matrilineal society.
Meaning clanship is attained through the mother.
Prior to Oklahoma statehood, the women were considered
the Head of Household, with the home and children belonging to
her should she separate from a husband.
The knowledge of a person's clan is important for many reasons.
Historically, and still today among Cherokee traditionalists,
it is forbidden to marry within your clan.
Clan members are considered brother and sisters.
In addition, when seeking spiritual guidance and Indian doctoring,
it is necessary to name your clan.
Seating at ceremonial stomp dances is by clan, as well.
There are seven clans in Cherokee Society.
A-ni-gi-lo-hi (Long Hair)
A-ni-sa-ho-ni (Blue)
A-ni-wa-ya (Wolf)
A-ni-go-te-ge-wi (Wild Potato)
A-ni-a-wi (Deer)
A-ni-tsi-s-qua (Bird)
A-ni-wo-di (Paint)
Longhair (ANIGILOHI)
The Long Hair Clan, whose subdivisions are Twister, Wind and
Strangers, are known to be a very peaceful clan.
In the times of the Peace Chief and War Chief government,
the Peace Chief would come from this clan.
Prisoners of war, orphans of other tribes, and others with no
Cherokee tribe were often adopted into this clan,
thus the name 'Strangers.'
At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Long Hair arbor is on
the East side, and also houses the Chiefs and other leaders of the ground.
Blue (ANISAHONI)
The Blue Clan's subdivisions are Panther, or Wildcat and Bear
(which is considered the oldest clan).
Historically, this clan produced many people who were able to make special
medicines for the children.
At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds,
the Blue arbor is to the left of the Long Hair arbor.
Wolf (ANIWAYA)
The Wolf has been known throughout time to be the largest clan.
During the time of the Peace Chief and War Chief government setting,
the War Chief would come from this clan.
Wolves are known as protectors.
At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds,
the Wolf arbor is to the left of the Blue arbor.
Wild Potato (ANIGOTEGEWI)
The Wild Potato Clan's subdivision is Blind Savannah .
Historically, members of this clan were known to be 'keepers of
the land,' and gatherers The wild potato was a main staple of
the older Cherokee life back east (Tsa-la-gi U-we-ti).
At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds,
the Wild Potato arbor is to the left of the Wolf arbor.
Deer (ANIAWI)
Members of the Deer Clan were historically known as
fast runners and hunters.
Even though they hunted game for subsistence, they
respected and cared for the animals while they were living amongst them.
They were also known as messengers on an earthly level, delivering
messenges from village to village, or person to person.
At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds,
the Deer arbor is to the left of the Wild Potato arbor.
Bird (ANITSISQUA)
Members of the Bird Clan were historically known as messengers.
The belief that birds are messengers between earth and heaven, or
the People and Creator, gave the members of this clan the responsibility of caring for the birds.
The subdivisions are Raven, Turtle Dove and Eagle.
Our earned Eagle feathers were originally presented by the members of this clan, as they were the only ones able to collect them.
At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds,
the Bird arbor is to the left of the Deer arbor.
Paint (ANIWODI)
Members of the Paint Clan were historically known as
a prominent medicine people.
Medicine is often 'painted' on a patient after harvesting,
mixing and performing other aspects of the ceremony.
At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds,
the Paint arbor is to the left of the Bird arbor.
