Transitions to a New World Cherokee ceremonial and burial rites are held very sacred and with highest of respects. The Cherokee Indians who are descendants of their sister tribe the Iroquois, lived in the southeastern parts of the United States until forced off their land and onto reservations during the mid-1800s. The Cherokees were forced to sacrifice many of their customs and rites, by the White European settlers which considered it Paganistic according to their Christian religion. Surviving through oral tradition, literature, and archeology, the Cherokees have preserved their knowledge of their cultural traditions. These ancient traditional rites were characterized through their bonds of family, love of nature, respect, and spirituality.
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While other phases do exist these three are the most dominantly consistent phases uncovered and known. First and oldest of these phases are what archeologist call the Pisgah. “The Pisgah phase dates its origin from around A.D. 1000 through 1500 A.D”(UNC). Burials during this period consist of side chamber or central chamber and simple pits. The most popular belief of the side chamber or central chamber, is that they were used for infants and individuals of high stature and rank. “Bodies were loosely positioned within these pits with their head facing toward the west”(UNC). Facing in the western direction has a significant insight, for west was considered the land of the dead. Adult heads were flattened in both the front and back as well as grave goods being placed within the chambers of the bodies. Grave good found within the adult burial chambers include shells, bowls, rattles, and animal bones. Infant remains were consisting found with shell beads, Marginella shells, and shell gorgets. Cherokees believe that the burial of personal sacred object can help their deceased, as they transition into the next spirit …show more content…
In accordance to The Cherokee Dance and Drama by Speck and Broom on page eleven, “It alleviates the grief of the bereaved family and helps to turn their thoughts again toward the normal affairs of life.” Clan communities were there to help with the mourning process just as friends and families do today. The account of Chief Dragging Canoe's death in November of 1792 near Nashville Tennessee, expounds upon the both the customary and burial traditions. Records show that his body was taken to his village where the people mourned for seven days and nights. This was the Cherokees' traditional mourning period for a chief in those days. The sacred number seven within the Cherokees, is one of monumental value. Seven represents not only the length of creation in their view but also the length of morning. ”They took the rods and a box and traveled seven days to the west until they came to the Darkening land.” (Mooney p.253) Cherokees believe that the number seven is a representation of purity and holiness. This view also coincide with that of the length of birth as ones spirit enters into the next life. “The Cherokees believe that there are seven spirit worlds.” (Tambornino) As messengers were sent into all the villages to inform the people of his death. Seven medicine persons from the clans came and washed the body in the sacred herb medicine, probably willow root tea. They wrapped the body in
While other phases do exist these three are the most dominantly consistent phases uncovered and known. First and oldest of these phases are what archeologist call the Pisgah. “The Pisgah phase dates its origin from around A.D. 1000 through 1500 A.D”(UNC). Burials during this period consist of side chamber or central chamber and simple pits. The most popular belief of the side chamber or central chamber, is that they were used for infants and individuals of high stature and rank. “Bodies were loosely positioned within these pits with their head facing toward the west”(UNC). Facing in the western direction has a significant insight, for west was considered the land of the dead. Adult heads were flattened in both the front and back as well as grave goods being placed within the chambers of the bodies. Grave good found within the adult burial chambers include shells, bowls, rattles, and animal bones. Infant remains were consisting found with shell beads, Marginella shells, and shell gorgets. Cherokees believe that the burial of personal sacred object can help their deceased, as they transition into the next spirit …show more content…
In accordance to The Cherokee Dance and Drama by Speck and Broom on page eleven, “It alleviates the grief of the bereaved family and helps to turn their thoughts again toward the normal affairs of life.” Clan communities were there to help with the mourning process just as friends and families do today. The account of Chief Dragging Canoe's death in November of 1792 near Nashville Tennessee, expounds upon the both the customary and burial traditions. Records show that his body was taken to his village where the people mourned for seven days and nights. This was the Cherokees' traditional mourning period for a chief in those days. The sacred number seven within the Cherokees, is one of monumental value. Seven represents not only the length of creation in their view but also the length of morning. ”They took the rods and a box and traveled seven days to the west until they came to the Darkening land.” (Mooney p.253) Cherokees believe that the number seven is a representation of purity and holiness. This view also coincide with that of the length of birth as ones spirit enters into the next life. “The Cherokees believe that there are seven spirit worlds.” (Tambornino) As messengers were sent into all the villages to inform the people of his death. Seven medicine persons from the clans came and washed the body in the sacred herb medicine, probably willow root tea. They wrapped the body in