Photo: Appalachian hills and the sky by J. Boer, ca. 2002
Learn about a North Carolina community that practices traditions passed down from their ancient ancestors in Snowbird Cherokee.
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Tradition: Gadugi (ga-doo-gee) The word gadugi means "working together." Originally, the gadugi were a group of people in a Cherokee community who helped others in a time of need. The gadugi planted...
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Tradition: The Trail of Tears Singing Every year since 1968, the Snowbird Cherokee have held a ceremony called "The Trail of Tears Singing." The ceremony is held in memory of the Cherokee who were...
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Tradition: The Fading Voices Festival Each year, on the Saturday before Memorial Day, the Fading Voices Festival is held in Snowbird. The festival commemorates community elders and celebrates Cherokee...
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Mound Ceremony During the Mound Ceremony, people bring a turtle shell full of dirt from their homes. Participants then walk around a sacred fire seven times, one time for each of the seven Cherokee...
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Tradition: The Cherokee Language Children in Snowbird schools learn the Cherokee language at a young age. They, in turn, may teach a future generation of students the language. In the early part of...
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In 1821, George Guess, a full-blooded Cherokee also known as Sequoyah, invented the Cherokee "syllabary." The syllabary allowed the Cherokee to read and write in their own language. Sequoyah's written...
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Tradition: Anetsa The game of Anetsa, or stick ball, is played at many Cherokee festivals. Anetsa has been played for hundreds of years. It was traditionally played to settle disputes or for spiritual...
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Tradition: Anetsa Anetsa resembles our modern game of lacrosse, but can be much rougher! Players erect goal posts on each end of a field, and use ball sticks shaped like miniature rackets with long...
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Tradition: Herbal and Ceremonial Medicine A few Snowbird Cherokee still practice medicine using herbs and ceremonial practices. Though modern forms of medicine are also used, the tradition of the...
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In this edition of Periscope, we have seen many Native American traditions practiced by the Snowbird community and other Cherokee people. Ask yourself why you, your friends, or your family continue to...