In a search for order and sustaining that order, the olden
Cherokee devised a simple, yet seemingly complex belief system.
Many of the elements of the original system remain today. Although
some have evolved or otherwise been modified, the traditional
Cherokee of today recognize the belief system as an integral
part of day-to-day life.
Certain numbers play an important role in the ceremonies of
the Cherokee. The numbers four and seven repeatedly occur in
myths, stories and ceremonies. Four represents all the familiar
forces, also represented in the four cardinal directions. These
cardinal directions are east, west, north and south. Certain
colors are also associated with these directions. The number
seven represents the seven clans of the Cherokee, and are also
associated with directions. In addition to the four cardinal
directions, three others exist. Up (the Upper World), down (the
Lower World) and center (where we live, and where ‘you’ always
are).
The number seven also represents the height of purity and sacredness,
a difficult level to attain. In olden times, it was believed
that only the owl and cougar had attained this level, and since
then, they have always had a special meaning to the Cherokee.
The pine, cedar, spruce, holly and laurel also attained this
level. They play a very important role in Cherokee ceremonies.
Cedar is the most sacred of all, and the distinguishing colors
of red and white set it off from all others. The wood from the
tree is considered very sacred, and in ancient days, was used
to carry the honored dead.
Because of these early beliefs, the traditional Cherokee have
a special regard for the owl and cougar. They are the honored
ones in some versions of the Creation story. They were the only
two who were able to stay awake for the seven nights of Creation.
The others fell asleep. Today, because of this, they are nocturnal
in their habits and both have night vision. The owl is seemingly
different from other birds, and he resembles an old man as he
walks. Sometimes, the owl can be mistaken for a cat with his
feather tufts and silhouette of his head. This resemblance honors
his nocturnal brother, the cougar. The owls’ eyes are quite
large and set directly in front like a persons, and he can close
one independent of the other. The cougar is an animal whose
has screams which resemble those of a woman. He is an animal
who has habits that are very secret and unpredictable.
The cedar, pine, spruce, laurel and holly trees have leaves
all year long. These plants, too, stayed awake seven nights
during the Creation. Because of this, they were given special
power, and they are among the most important plants in Cherokee
medicine and ceremonies.
Traditionally, the Cherokee are deeply concerned with keeping
things separated and in the proper classification, or category.
For example, when sacred items are not in use they are wrapped
in deerskin, or white cloth, and kept in a special box or other
place.
The circle is a familiar symbol to traditional Cherokees. The
Stomp Dance and other ceremonies involve movements in a circular
pattern. In ancient times, the fire in the council house was
built by arranging the wood in a continuous "X" so
that the fire would burn in a circular path.
The rivers, or "Long Man," were always believed to
be sacred, and the practice of going to water for purification
and other ceremonies was at one time very common. Today, the
river, or any other body of moving water such as a creek, is
considered a sacred site, and going to water is still a respected
practice by some Cherokees.
The everyday cultural world of the Cherokee includes spiritual
beings. Even though the beings are different from people and
animals, they are not considered "supernatural." They
are very much a part of the natural, or real, world and most
people at some point in their lives, have an experience with
spiritual beings. One group of spiritual beings still talked
about by many Cherokees, are the Little People. They are invisible
unless they want to be seen. When seen, they look very much
like any other Cherokee, except they are very small, and have
long hair, sometimes to the ground. The Little People live in
various places, such as rock shelters, caves in the mountains,
laurel thickets, etc. They like drumming and dancing, and they
often help lost children. Not only physically lost, but sometimes
saddened children and those who are going through the tough
times of growing up. They are also known to be quite mischievous
at times. The Little People need to be dealt with carefully,
and it is necessary to observe the traditional rules regarding
them. They don’t like to be disturbed, and they may cause a
person who continually bothers them to become 'puzzled' throughout
life. Because of this, traditional Cherokees will not investigate
or look when they believe they hear Little People. If one of
the Little People is accidentally seen, or if he or she chooses
to show himself, it is not to be discussed or told of for at
least seven years. It is also a common practice to not speak
about the Little People after night fall.
Traditional Cherokees also believe that after a person dies,
his soul often continues to live as a ghost. Ghosts are believed
to have the ability to materialize where some people can see
them, although some can not.
Very basic to the Cherokee belief system is the premise that
good is rewarded, while evil is punished. Even though the Cherokee
strictly believe in this type of justice, there are times when
things happen that the system just does not explain. It is often
believed that some events that are unexplainable are caused
by someone using medicine for evil purposes. Witchcraft among
the Cherokee is not at all like that of the non-Indian cultures.
To understand and respect the beliefs of traditional Cherokees
about using medicine, conjuring, and witchcraft, you must first
consider the early types of Indian societies, and consider how
this has remained an integral part of Cherokee culture.
Today, many Cherokees still consult with medicine people regarding
problems, both mental and physical. Some believe in using both
Cherokee medicine and licensed medical doctors and the health
care systems. Some Cherokee today, however, will not see a medicine
man for any reason and refuse to acknowledge their powers.
The knowledge held by the medicine men or women is very broad
in spectrum.
They work for years committing to memory the syllabary manuscripts
passed to them by the ones who taught them. Many formulas have
been documented in Cherokee syllabary writing in books ranging
from small notebooks to full-blown ledgers. If the words are
not spoken or sung in the Cherokee language, they will have
no affect. Until the words have been memorized, the medicine
person will refer to his book. This does not compromise his
abilities, as modern medical practitioners often refer to reference
books, too. The writings in these books are strictly guarded
and anyone who is not in training is strictly forbidden to study
or read the books. The words are usually accompanied by a physical
procedure, such as the use of a specially prepared tobacco,
or drink. Medicine people must be, and must remain, in perfect
health for their powers to be at peak. Their breath and saliva
contain the powers of their life-force, and are used in their
medicine.
As far as the witches referred to above, there are ordinary
witches and killer witches. Ordinary witches are considered
more dangerous since a person can never be sure he is dealing
with one, and they are more difficult to counteract. They may
deceive a medicine person, and cause them to prescribe the wrong
cure if not guarded. One killer witch who is still spoke of
often in the Cherokee Nation is the Raven Mocker .
