The Cherokee
The Cherokee lived in the South-eastern part of the United States (look for them in the yellow in the map below). Their language is based off of the language of the Iroquois, so it is believed that they migrated from around the Great Lakes to the South in the past. When the Cherokee began to have contact with European traders they adopted many of the European technologies and customs. Today, the Cherokee Nation is the largest federally recognized Native American tribe in the United States.
The Cherokee and Europeans were usually on good terms with one another. The European traders preferred the deer hides supplied by the Cherokee because their quality was better than those supplied by other tribes. The Cherokee would often assist the British in wars and battles. This does not mean that they never fought one another, but they were on better terms than many other tribes. In 1760 disputes broke out between the British and the Cherokee over land ownership. King George III tried to protect some of the Cherokee lands from British settlement but his proclamation was difficult to enforce.
Lifestyle
The Cherokee divided power evenly between the men and women in their tribe. The men were in charge of hunting, war, and diplomacy. Women were in charge of farming, family, and property. The men made political decisions and women made social decisions. Both the men and women could tell stories, create works of art, play music, and practice medicine. They lived in houses made of river cane and plaster. Their houses were very strong and warm.
The Cherokee men wore breechcloths and leggings. Women wore wraparound skirts and poncho-like blouses made of woven fiber or deerskin. Both the men and women wore moccasins. Cherokee men shaved their heads and women wore their hair long. Men tattooed themselves and, in times of war, painted their faces. The women did not have tattoos or painted faces. The women did wear necklaces and armbands.
The Cherokee used canoes and dogs when they traveled. The dogs could carry packs and pull sleds.
Cherokee women grew corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers and gathered fruits, nuts, and berries. They cooked cornbread, soups, and stews. The men hunted deer, turkey, and other small game. They also fished with spears.
The Cherokee men wore breechcloths and leggings. Women wore wraparound skirts and poncho-like blouses made of woven fiber or deerskin. Both the men and women wore moccasins. Cherokee men shaved their heads and women wore their hair long. Men tattooed themselves and, in times of war, painted their faces. The women did not have tattoos or painted faces. The women did wear necklaces and armbands.
The Cherokee used canoes and dogs when they traveled. The dogs could carry packs and pull sleds.
Cherokee women grew corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers and gathered fruits, nuts, and berries. They cooked cornbread, soups, and stews. The men hunted deer, turkey, and other small game. They also fished with spears.
The Trail of Tears
The Cherokee lived in the same general area until the 1830's when President Andrew Jackson forcibly passed the Indian Removal Act. The Indian Removal Act forced all Native Americans East of the Mississippi River to move West. The trail that the Cherokee traveled to Oklahoma was called the Trail of Tears because of their extreme suffering and loss during the trip. However, the Cherokee were not the only tribe forced out of their homes. In the map below, each tribe affected by the Indian Removal Act is shown in purple. You may learn more about the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears in the video below.