7 Cherokee Clans: The Blue Clan

The Cherokee are a matrilineal society.  Children belong to their mother’s clan.

#6: THE BLUE CLAN

(ANISAHONI)

The Blue Clan are also called the Panthers and Wild Cats.  They make medicine from a blue-colored plant that is given to the children of the tribe to maintain their good health.

Enjoy!

“Hot words lead to cold slabs!”

7 Cherokee Clans: The Wild Potato Clan

The Cherokee are a matrilineal society.  Children belong to their mother’s clan.

#5: THE WILD POTATO CLAN

(ANIGATOGEWI)

Also known as the Raccoons or Blind Savannah, the Wild Potato Clan are foragers and gatherers.  They collect wild potatoes from the edges of streams, a staple food that is pounded into flour for bread.  The Wild Potato Clan also pick nuts, berries, and edible plants.   

The Master’s Call

(Marty Robbins)

When I was but a young man, I was wild and full of fire.
A youth within my teens, but full of challenge and desire.
I ran away from home and left my mother and my dad,
I know it grieved them so to think their only boy was bad.

I fell in with an outlaw band, their names were known quite well.
How many times we robbed and plundered, I could never tell.
This kind of sinful living leads only to a fall,
I learned that much and more, the night I heard my Master call.

One night we rustled cattle, a thousand head or so,
And started them out on the trail that leads to Mexico.
But a Norther started blowing, and lightning flashed about,
I thought someone was calling me, I thought I heard a shout.

Then at that moment lightning struck not twenty yards from me
And left there was a giant cross, where once there was a tree.
And this time I knew I heard a voice, a voice so sweet and strange,
A voice that came from everywhere, a voice that called my name.

So frightened I was thinking of sinful deeds I’d done,
I failed to see the thousand head of cattle start to run.
The cattle they stampeded, were running all around,
My pony ran, but stumbled, and it threw me to the ground.

I felt the end was near, that death would be the price,
When a mighty bolt of lightning showed the face of Jesus Christ.
And I cried, “O Lord, forgive me.  Don’t let it happen now!
I want to live for you alone.  O God, these words I vow.”

My wicked past unfolded, I thought of wasted years,
When another bolt of lightning killed a hundred head of steers,
And the others rushed on by me, and I was left to live.
The Master had a reason, life is his to take or give.

A miracle performed that night, I wasn’t meant to die.
The dead ones formed a barricade, least six or seven high
.And right behind it, there was I, afraid but safe and sound.
I cried and begged for mercy, kneeling there upon the ground.

A pardon I was granted, my sinful soul set free.
No more to fear the angry waves upon life’s stormy sea.
Forgiven by the love of God, a love that will remain –
I gave my life and soul the night the Savior called my name.

7 Cherokee Clans: The Bird Clan

The Cherokee are a matrilineal society.  Children belong to their mother’s clan.

#4: THE BIRD CLAN

(ANITSISKWA)

The Bird Clan is also called the RAVEN, TURTLE DOVE, and EAGLE clan.  They are skilled blowgun hunters who capture birds for their food and feathers.  Only members of this clan are permitted to collect sacred eagle feathers.  They are often perceived as being a spiritual link between heaven and earth, sometimes acting as messengers.

“Cowgirl is an attitude, really.

A pioneer spirit, a special American brand of courage.

The cowgirl faces life head on, lives by her own lights, and makes no excuses.

Cowgirls take stands.  They speak up.  They defend the things they hold dear.

A cowgirl might be a rancher, or a barrel racer, or a bull-rider, or an actress.

But she’s just as likely to be a checker at the local Winn Dixie, a full-time mother,

a banker, an attorney, or an astronaut.”

(Dale Evans, 1992)

7 Cherokee Clans: The Deer Clan

The Cherokee are a matrilineal society.  Children belong to their mother’s clan.

#3: THE DEER CLAN

(ANIKAWI)

The Deer Clan are notoriously fast runners, traditionally employed as the messengers between villages.  They hunt deer in a respectful, sacred fashion and often tend the village animals. 

Bean and Corn Dumplings

Ingredients:

1 quart meal

1 cup brown beans

1 cup corn (removed from the husk)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 egg

Boiling water

Method:

1. Heat a large pan of water to boiling.
2. Place the meal in a mixing bowl.
3. Stir in the salt, pepper, corn and beans.
4. Add the egg.
5. Mix well with enough boiling water to form a soft dough.  Roll into small bite-size balls.
6. Drop the small balls in the pan of boiling water.
7. Reduce to a low heat.  Simmer slowly until thoroughly cooked, approximately 15-20 minutes.
8. Serve hot.

7 Cherokee Clans: The Long Hair Clan

The Cherokee are a matrilineal society.  Children belong to their mother’s clan.

#2: THE LONG HAIR CLAN

(ANIGILOHI)

The Long Hair Clan is also known as the Twister, Hair Hanging Down, Wind, and Stranger Clan.  They provide most of the Peace Chiefs.  Because of their beautiful hair, this group is also known for its vanity.  Prisoners of war, orphans, and strangers are usually adopted into this family.