Marriage is an essential aspect of Cherokee traditions. The Cherokee people have their unique ways of celebrating love and joining couples in matrimony. From their pre-colonial era till today, they have had unique ways of sealing marriage blessings between two people. For this reason, today we will discuss the traditions involved in Cherokee marriage.
History of Cherokee Marriage
Marriage in Cherokee culture has changed over time. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Cherokee people had their unique way of solemnizing the union of two people in marriage. For one, elders of the community were the ones to choose suitable partners for eligible young people. In other cases, young couples would elope and seek acceptance from their parents after the fact.
Early Cherokee marriages were not heavily governed by tribe leaders, but the union happened with specific cultural customs and carried importance in the overall structure of Cherokee society. The marital bond was so respected that couples who separated could never remarry.
Today, Cherokee traditions during marriage ceremonies incorporate both Christian and Cherokee customs.
Cherokee Wedding Customs
One of the most remarkable Cherokee traditions is the usage of a Sacred Fire during wedding ceremonies. The to-be-weds must ensure they build an identical fire as a way of attesting to their union in front of the Creator. Before lighting the fire, couples exchange gifts such as handmade pottery or baskets.
In the sacred fire ceremony, each of the partners will sing and offer wedding prayers while sprinkling their respective fire with sage, tobacco, corn, and grass. As they say the wedding prayers, they will ignite their respective fires. They will then join the fire as a couple, and the moment symbolizes the bridge between their past and future lives.
After the ceremony is over, couples will bundle up the fire and keep it burning through the night. They will retrieve the ash the next day and place it in a sacred place in their home’s east corner.
During a Cherokee wedding, the bride wears a tear dress and leggings paired with a sash or belt. On the other hand, the groom wears ribbon shirts and embroidered leggings completed by moccasins. Both the bride and groom wear a feather in their band, with the groom selecting a hawk feather.
During the wedding, couples also exchange traditional Cherokee wedding bands. The Cherokee wedding bands appear like a rose-petal hammered into metal. The petals represent the various stages of life, and the smooth band signifies eternal love between the couple joined in matrimony.
The Seven Sacred Vows
In contemporary Cherokee weddings, couples take seven sacred vows that they pledge for the rest of their lives. These vows include faith, strength, honesty, kindness, love, respect, and understanding.
During the marriage ceremony, the Cherokee Holy man speaks the seven sacred vows while the couple repeats each vow with an eagle feather in their hands. The feather represents their spirituality.
The vows are sacred because when couples interweave them into their daily lives and respect them, they ensure everlasting union and love.
Cherokee Wedding Music and Dance
Cherokee music and dance play a vital role during the wedding ceremony. It is customary for the bride and groom to dance before the sacred fire while friends and family play traditional Cherokee music and drums. The songs typically have a prayerful tone, giving thanks for the new union.
There is a particular Cherokee dance that happens in the wedding ceremony, and it is called the Two-Step. The dance has its origin in the 19th century and involves couples moving around the sacred fire to the beat of the Cherokee drums.
Conclusion
Cherokee wedding traditions have profound spiritual and cultural connections, emphasizing respect, romantic love, and union in marriage. The people still carry on with these traditions today. From the Seven Sacred Vows to the Cherokee wedding dress, music, dance, and even a special fire ceremony, Cherokee marriage customs have both Christian and Cherokee heritage firmly embedded in them. When two people unite through the sacred fire ceremony with mutual understanding, faith, and love, they connect with the creator and enter a married life that honors Cherokee traditions.
FAQ
What were the marriage laws in the Cherokee?
The Cherokee Nation had well-established traditions and customs in regards to marriage even before European contact. However, with the arrival of Europeans and their laws, the Cherokee Nation was forced to adapt its laws and practices to meet outside expectations.
In 1819, the Cherokee Nation passed a marriage law that marked a significant departure from traditional Cherokee practices. The law allowed for marriage between white men and Cherokee women, but it prevented bigamy. This was a recognition of the fact that Cherokee women were often targeted by non-Native men seeking to exploit the tribe’s wealth and resources.
The law also stated that a man could not dispose of the property of his Cherokee wife without her consent. This was another recognition of the subordinate position many Cherokee women found themselves in marriage. The law further stated that if a man abandoned his wife, she would retain all of her property. This was significant because it gave Cherokee women control over their own property, a practice uncommon in many European societies during the same time period.
Marriage between members of the Cherokee Nation was still regulated by tribal customs that determined who could marry whom and under what conditions. However, the newly established marriage law in 1819 served as a way to protect Cherokee women from outside exploitation and to prevent land from being transferred out of Cherokee hands. Over time, the influence of European customs and laws would continue to shape Cherokee marriage practices.
The marriage laws in the Cherokee nation were a reflection of both their traditional customs and the impact of European traditions. The 1819 law passed by the National Council and Committee legalized marriage between white men and Cherokee women, but it also recognized the rights of Cherokee women to own property and have a say in the disposition of their belongings. While traditional Cherokee customs continued to shape marriage practices in the tribe, the influence of European laws and customs would continue to make an impact for many years to come.
Do Cherokee wear wedding rings?
The Cherokee people have a rich and unique culture that has been passed down through generations. They have various customs and traditions, including those related to weddings. One interesting aspect of Cherokee weddings is the question of whether or not they wear wedding rings.
Traditionally, during a Cherokee wedding, the bride and groom do not exchange rings. Instead, the couple exchanges a different type of jewelry. They often exchange a string of beads made of quills, bone, or shell. This beadwork is highly prized and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the newlyweds.
However, as with many cultures, modern influence has amended some of these traditions. Therefore, many contemporary Cherokee couples do exchange wedding rings during their ceremony. They often choose rings that have a special meaning or significance for them. This choice of rings may vary from couple to couple, from a simple band to a more ornate design incorporating traditional Cherokee symbols or patterns.
In some cases, the choice of stone for the wedding ring may be significant. Many Cherokee people believe in the healing power of crystals and gemstones. Therefore, they may choose a stone that has special metaphysical properties. For example, the turquoise stone is believed to promote love and harmony, making it a popular choice for men’s rings. The opal, with its array of colors, is believed to bring about positive change and joy, making it a popular choice for women’s rings.
Whether or not Cherokee people wear wedding rings is a matter of personal choice. Although traditional Cherokee weddings did not involve exchanging rings, modern Cherokee couples may choose to incorporate this Western custom into their ceremony. It is not uncommon for couples to choose rings that have a special meaning or significance, such as incorporating traditional Cherokee symbols or choosing stones believed to bring about positive energy and luck.
Did Cherokee men have more than one wife?
The answer to whether Cherokee men had more than one wife is not a simple yes or no. Historically, marriages among the Cherokee Nation were typically monogamous, meaning that a man would be married to only one woman at a time. However, there were instances where polygyny – the practice of having multiple wives – was permitted and even occasionally practiced.
In the eighteenth century, the marriage ceremony among the Cherokee was an informal affair. A man would obtain the consent of the prospective bride and her mother before accompanying her to a previously prepared dwelling place. This type of ceremony did not require a priest or a religious leader to officiate, and there was no legal documentation of the marriage.
In terms of polygyny, it was not common among the Cherokee people, but it was allowed in certain circumstances. One example was when a woman was unable to have children. In this case, a man could take on an additional wife to ensure the continuation of his family line. Another instance when polygyny was allowed was during times of war. If a soldier died without an heir, his brother could marry his widow and take on the responsibility of providing for her.
It’s important to note that the Cherokee Nation is a matrilineal society, meaning that family lineage is traced through the mother’s side of the family. This meant that when a man married a woman, he would join her clan and her children would belong to her clan as well. In the case of polygyny, any additional wives would also be from the same clan as the first wife.
While monogamous marriage was the norm among the Cherokee, polygyny was allowed in certain circumstances. However, it was not a common practice and was typically only used to ensure the continuation of a family line or to provide for a widow.
What is the symbol of Cherokee marriage?
In Cherokee culture, marriage is considered to be a sacred and lifelong union between two individuals. The Cherokee wedding ceremony is a special occasion that involves various unique traditions and rituals, each filled with symbolic meaning. One such symbol is the use of fire in the ceremony.
In Cherokee weddings, three separate fires are made from the wood of seven different types of trees. The trees are chosen specifically for their symbolic meaning and their ability to provide heat and light, which are important elements in Cherokee culture. These trees include maple, oak, hickory, pine, dogwood, cedar, and birch.
One fire is prepared in the center of the ceremony space and is referred to as the “hearth fire.” This fire represents both the Creator and the couple’s wedded union. The other two fires are made on either side of the hearth fire and represent the couple’s individual lives before their marriage.
As the ceremony begins, the couple faces each other with the hearth fire between them. The groom then lights a torch from one of the two other fires and walks around the hearth fire towards the bride. Once he reaches her, he hands her the torch and she circles the fire towards him. When they meet again, they exchange the torch and repeat the process until they have completed seven circuits around the fire.
The use of fire in the Cherokee wedding ceremony represents not only the warmth and light of the couple’s love, but also the Creator’s presence and blessings upon their union. In addition, the seven circuits around the fire represent the seven clans of the Cherokee Nation, symbolizing the couple’s participation and commitment to the Cherokee community.
The symbolism attached to the fire in the Cherokee wedding ceremony adds a deeper meaning and significance to the couple’s union and reflects the deep respect for tradition and culture in Cherokee society.
What were the traditional Cherokee laws?
The Cherokee people were a Native American tribe who inhabited the southeastern United States. They had a distinct set of laws, customs, and traditions, which governed their way of life for centuries. However, it is important to note that the Cherokee nation did not have a codified or common law system. Instead, their legal system worked properly when it maintained social harmony.
One of the most notable features of traditional Cherokee laws was the absence of the concept of jurisdiction. This meant that different regions or groups of people did not have their own laws or legal systems. Instead, the Cherokee people were a unified group with a shared culture, and this led to a strong sense of community and cooperation. This was especially important when it came to protecting their land and resources from outsiders, as they had a shared sense of responsibility to care for their environment.
In terms of property, the Cherokee did not have a concept of real property. Instead, land was controlled rather than owned. This meant that individuals did not have a claim to a specific piece of land or property, but rather, the land was part of a collective whole that was used by the entire community. This approach was based on a belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the idea that no one person could own or control the land.
Another notable aspect of traditional Cherokee laws was their system of measuring distance. Instead of using miles or kilometers, the Cherokee measured distance by degree of danger of attack. This meant that they had a strong awareness of their surroundings and could easily navigate their environment. It also reflects the importance of being prepared for potential danger, which was a frequent concern in a society that was often at war with neighboring tribes.
The traditional Cherokee laws were based on a strong sense of community and a deep connection to their environment. They had no concept of jurisdiction or real property, and their legal system worked best when it maintained social harmony. This unique approach to law reflects their belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of mutual respect and cooperation.
How did Native American marriage work?
Native American marriage customs and practices varied greatly across different tribes, but there are some general patterns that can be identified. In general, Native American societies placed a high value on the stability of family life, and marriage was seen as a way to maintain social order.
One important characteristic of Native American marriage practices was that there was often a high degree of flexibility with regards to the length and number of marriages that a person could have. While a man’s first marriage was expected to last for life, additional marriages were likely negotiated for shorter terms. This allowed for greater social mobility for women, who might be able to seek out better partners if their first marriage was unhappy.
Another important factor in Native American marriage customs was the role of the extended family. In many societies, marriages were seen as a way to forge alliances between different families or clans, and the entire extended family was involved in the process of negotiating the marriage. It was not uncommon for engagement to be a lengthy process, involving talks between elders and the exchange of gifts between the two families.
In most Native American societies, women played a significant role in choosing their partners. While the specifics of courtship and mating rituals varied, many tribes had traditions in which women would signal their interest in a man and initiate the relationship. In some cultures, women were allowed to choose their husbands outright, while in others they had to negotiate marriage through intermediaries.
Another unique feature of Native American marriage practices was that unless a woman was married to a chief, she was allowed to conduct extramarital affairs, provided she had her husband’s permission (which was usually given). This was seen as a way to maintain social harmony and to ensure that children had strong familial connections. In other words, a child with a different father would be treated as a member of the extended family, rather than an outsider.
Native American marriage customs were complex and varied, reflecting the unique social, cultural, and environmental factors that shaped each tribe’s way of life. However, certain themes – such as a focus on family stability, flexibility in marriage practices, and the involvement of extended families in the process – can be seen across many different cultures.
What is the Cherokee blood law?
The Cherokee Nation is a Native American tribe that has a rich history and cultural heritage. One aspect of this heritage is the Cherokee blood law, which is a matrilineal system that affirms everything about Cherokee identity and law. In this system, clan membership is traced through the maternal line, and the rights and responsibilities associated with the clan are inherited from the mother. This means that Cherokee children inherit their clan membership, along with its customs and traditions, from their mother.
The Law of Blood was based on the idea that clan members could avenge the deaths or other incidents happening to their kin, and women often made the decisions about how those deaths were to be avenged. This system of justice gave women a powerful role in Cherokee society, as they were responsible for ensuring that justice was served. The blood law was not only used to seek justice for crimes, but it also played a role in other aspects of Cherokee life, such as inheritance and property rights.
The Cherokee blood law also played an important role in determining the identity of Cherokee people. It established a sense of community and belonging among members of the clan, and it provided a way for Cherokee people to connect with their ancestors and their cultural heritage. This connection to the past was especially important following the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their ancestral lands in the 1830s, as it helped to preserve their culture and traditions.
Today, the Cherokee blood law continues to be an important part of Cherokee culture and identity. It serves as a reminder of the rich history and traditions of the Cherokee people and their ongoing struggle to maintain their cultural heritage in the face of adversity. the Cherokee blood law is an important aspect of Cherokee identity and serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of the Cherokee people.