Cherokee Culture Research Paper

Words: 1884
Pages: 8

The Cherokee territory use to consist of several states, which include Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Preceding 1721, the Cherokee inhabited roughly 135,000 square miles, and each region varies in landforms, soil, vegetation, and climate. Some regions include Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain, Southeastern Plains, Piedmont, Appalachians, and the Interior River Valley. The Cherokee has a matrilineal society, where the family line is based on the kinship with the mother. They also have seven clans which consist of the Wolf clan, the Deer clan, the Bird clan, the Paint/Red Paint clan, the Blue clan (known as the herb and root doctors), the Wild Potato clan/Savannah clan, and the …show more content…
An interesting history about how they received medicine include two sources: the Stone Clad- an ancient wizard who preyed on the them, and who was eventually killed, however he did give them most of their songs, ceremonies, and formulas; and the second source is, of course, Cherokee medical knowledge of plants. Since the Cherokee believe that every plants serves a purpose, or a specific use in relationship to human ailments, it is customary to follow the rule of fours, “where one must pass a plant that she is looking for four times before gathering and then saying specific prayers of thanks for the medicine”, which is a common practice of species preservation created by the Cherokee. This is obviously not a cultural norm is American society, which could potentially explain some of the reasons behind the dwindling of plant …show more content…
One can infer that there is a lot more medicine than just plant use, it is a culture practice, and just from the length and depth that goes behind practicing Cherokee medicine, it seems to be a very valued role in their culture. The amount of knowledge and skill that is behind Cherokee medicine shows how much information is necessary in order for someone to practice medicine. Healing not only includes the remedies (plants), but also the healer