THE CHEROKEE
TRIBE
Introduction to the Cherokee Tribe
Traditional Lifestyles
Clothing and Housing
AGENDA Utilization of Natural Landscape
Religious Beliefs and Cultural
Practices
Historical Overview
Contemporary Challenges
THE INTRODUCTION TO THE CHEROKEE TRIBE
• The Cherokee, known as one of the "Five Civilized
Tribes," have a dynamic history and culture. Originally
inhabiting the southeastern United States, they were
one of the first tribes to adopt many European customs
and form their own government systems modeled after
the United States. Despite their adaptation, the
Cherokee were forcibly relocated to Oklahoma along the
Trail of Tears during the 1830s, a devastating event that
profoundly shaped their future.
THE INTRODUCTION GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND TRADITIONAL LIFESTYLES
THE CHEROKEE TRIBE
• Traditionally, the Cherokee economy was based on
farming, hunting, and gathering, with a significant
emphasis on the agricultural trio of corn, beans, and
squash known as the "Three Sisters." Their social
organization was complex, with a matrilineal system
that influenced inheritance and social status. Villages
were politically autonomous but united by language and
culture.
CLOTHING AND HOUSING
• The traditional Cherokee wore clothing suited to the
climate. Men wore deerskin leggings and breechcloths,
while women wore wraparound skirts and mantles.
During the colder months, they added fur cloaks and
moccasins. Their housing, adapted to the humid
southeastern climate, included winter houses made of
wood and bark and more airy summer houses framed
with vines and mud.
UTILIZATION OF NATURAL LANDSCAPE
• The Cherokee had a profound connection with their
environment, which was reflected in their sustainable
farming practices and their use of natural herbs for
medicine. They were skilled hunters and fishers, utilizing
tools and techniques that ensured the sustainability of
resources, such as fish weirs in rivers and controlled
burns in forests to manage game habitats.
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND CULTURAL PRACTICES
• Cherokee religious life was rich with ceremonies and
rituals that marked significant life events and seasonal
changes, crucial for maintaining harmony in the
universe. The Green Corn Ceremony, for instance, was
essential for renewing the community for the coming
year. Storytelling, music, and dance played vital roles in
passing down traditions and cultural values.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
• The Cherokee have faced numerous challenges
throughout their history, from the early contact with
European settlers, through the Trail of Tears, to various
legal battles over land and sovereignty in the 20th
century. These events have been pivotal in shaping the
modern identity and the legal status of the Cherokee
people.
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES
• Today, the Cherokee Nation faces numerous challenges
including the preservation of their language and cultural
heritage against the pressures of modernization and
globalization. Issues such as land rights, environmental
protection, and economic development also pose
significant challenges. The tribe continues to fight for
full recognition and enforcement of treaty rights and
self-governance.
THANK YOU
