Cherokee society is historically a matrilineal society and clanship is attained through the mother. Prior to Oklahoma statehood, the women were considered the head of household, and the home and children belonged to her should she separate from a husband. There are seven clans: A-ni-gi-lo-hi (Long Hair), A-ni-sa-ho-ni (Blue), A-ni-wa-ya (Wolf), A-ni-go-te-ge-wi (Wild Potato), A-ni-a-wi (Deer), A-ni-tsi-s-qua (Bird), A-ni-wo-di (Paint). The knowledge of a person's clan is important. Clan members are considered brother and sisters and it is forbidden to marry within your clan. When seeking spiritual guidance and medicine it is necessary to name your clan, and seating at ceremonial stomp dances is by clan.
The Long Hair Clan, whose subdivisions are Twister, Wind and Strangers, are known to be a very peaceful clan. In the times of the Peace Chief and War Chief government, the Peace Chief would come from this clan. Prisoners of war, orphans of other tribes and others with no Cherokee tribe were often adopted into this clan, thus the name Strangers. At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Long Hair arbor is on the East side and also houses the chiefs and other leaders of the ground.
The Blue Clan's subdivisions are Panther or Wildcat and Bear, which is considered the oldest clan. This clan produced people who were able to make special medicines for children. At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Blue arbor is to the left of the Long Hair arbor.
The Wolf has been known throughout time to be the largest clan. During the time of the Peace Chief and War Chief government, the War Chief would come from this clan. Wolves are known as protectors. At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Wolf arbor is to the left of the Blue arbor.
The Wild Potato Clan's subdivision is Blind Savannah. Members of this clan were known to be "keepers of the land," and gatherers. The wild potato was a staple of the traditional Cherokee diet back east. At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Wild Potato arbor is to the left of the Wolf arbor.
Members of the Deer Clan were known as fast runners and hunters. Even though they hunted game for subsistence, they respected and cared for the animals while they were living among them. They were also known as messengers on an earthly level, delivering messages from village to village, or person to person. At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Deer arbor is to the left of the Wild Potato arbor.
Members of the Bird Clan were known as messengers. The belief that birds are messengers between earth and heaven, or the people and Creator, gave the members of this clan the responsibility of caring for the birds. The subdivisions are Raven, Turtle Dove and Eagle. Eagle feathers were originally presented by the members of this clan, as they were the only ones able to collect them. At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Bird arbor is to the left of the Deer arbor.
Members of the Paint Clan were historically known as medicine people. Medicine is often "painted" on a patient after harvesting, mixing and performing other aspects of the ceremony. At some Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Paint arbor is to the left of the Bird arbor.
Information provided by the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center. For more information, visit cultural@cherokee.org. Cultural information may vary from clan to clan, location to location and family to family.
FAQs
Cherokee Clans were extended families that lived in the same area, clans were historically matrilineal and taken very seriously. Cherokee's considered it as we would think of consanguinity (one cousin to another) today. A clan was given at birth (through your mother) and kept a lifetime.
What are the 7 original clans? ›
Anishinaabeg dodems, or clans, dictate what one's traditional role in the society would be. Dodems vary regionally. There are seven original clans: Crane, Loon, Bear, Fish, Marten, Deer and Bird.
How many clans are there in Cherokee? ›
The Cherokee have seven clans and have had that number as long as there has been contact with Europeans. Some have multiple names, and according to ethnographer James Mooney the seven are the result of consolidation of as many as what was previously fourteen separate clans in more ancient times.
What is the Cherokee system? ›
The Cherokee nation was composed of a confederacy of symbolically red (war) and white (peace) towns. The chiefs of individual red towns were subordinated to a supreme war chief, while the officials of individual white towns were under the supreme peace chief.
What are the 3 Cherokee tribes? ›
Is there more than one Cherokee tribe? There are three federally recognized Cherokee tribes, with Cherokee Nation being the largest. The other tribes include the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.
What is the largest Cherokee clan? ›
Wolf Clan (Aniwaya) – is known to be the largest clan, teaching “family values and cooperation.” They were known to provide the war chief during the time of a war chief and peace chief government. Blue Clan (Anisahoni) – are considered the oldest clan. Its subdivisions are Panther or Wildcat and Bear clans.
What are the 4 sacred clans? ›
When she was about to leave on her journey back to the West, she gifted them with four clans. The four original clans of the Navajo people are Kinyaa'áanii (The Towering House clan), Honágháahnii (One-walks-around clan), Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water clan) and Hashtł'ishnii (Mud clan).
Do clans exist today? ›
Today, Scottish clans are celebrated across the world, with many descendants making the pilgrimage to Scotland to discover their roots and ancestral home. The Council of Scottish Clans and Associations exists to represent the interests of Scottish clan and family associations, mainly across the USA.
How do I know what Cherokee clan I am? ›
In addition to regular federal censuses, a database of Indian census rolls from 1885-1940 is available at Ancestry.com. Get a DNA test. A test can give you an estimate of the various origins of your ancestry and can be a great starting place.
How do I find out if I have Cherokee blood? ›
We suggest that you interview your various family members, especially the more senior ones, so you can gather names, dates, places, and stories. With that information in hand, we suggest that you search the Dawes Final Rolls and the Blackfeet Agency Census for your Cherokee and Blackfeet lineage.
Unetlanvhi. Pronounced oo-net-la-nuh-hee: The Cherokee word for God or “Great Spirit,” is Unetlanvhi is considered to be a divine spirit with no human form.
How do you tell what Cherokee clan you are? ›
A person's clan membership was considered private and personal. Though not secret, they were also never formally recorded by the tribes. Unfortunately, if the clan name was not passed down through the generations, there is no way to determine it today.
How were Cherokee families organized? ›
The Cherokee society is historically matrilineal, meaning clanship is passed through the mother. Among the Cherokees, women were considered the head of household, with the home and children belonging to her should she separate from her husband.
What is the structure of the Cherokee tribe? ›
The contemporary government of the Cherokee Nation is comprised of three branches of government: the executive branch comprised of the Principal Chief; the legislative branch composed of the Tribal Council; and the judicial branch encompassing the Cherokee Nation District Courts and the Judicial Appeals Tribunal.
What are the common Cherokees last names? ›
Common Cherokee Surnames
Some common surnames that are associated with Cherokee lineage include Adair, Graham, Jackson, Reed, Smith, and Walker. Each of these names carries a story of its origin and significance within the Cherokee community, marking the presence of Cherokee blood within family histories.
