Unit Two: Cherokee's Ritual and their First Contact with Europeans

GREEN CORN FESTIVAL CHEROKEE

At certain points of the ceremonies the people fasted, played stick ball, had corn sacrificing and took medicine. Then after the ceremonial fasting they would feast. Another ritual observed was rinsing them in water and having prayer.

The cleansing ceremony was performed by a priest who was followed with fasting and praying and other sacred practices. It is believed when you receive a cleansing it washes away impurities or bad deeds and starts a new life.

Corn Mother Selu

The Green Corn Ceremony was traditionally celebrated during late June or early July for about four days. The Green Corn Ceremony honors the Corn Mother, Selu, for giving them good weather and harvest.The dates varied for the celebration when the first corn ripened. The ceremony was held in the middle of the ceremonial grounds. And they dance around it including stomp dance, feather dance and buffalo dances.

Other tribes including Creek, Seminole, Iroquios, Yuchi and more celebrates the Green Corn ceremony and the ceremony has varied activities from different tribes. There are many different ways to celebrate it and it depends from Tribes culture. The most important in the ceremony is to Thank Corn Mother, Selu, and give thanks for the corn, sun, rain and a good harvest.

Cherokee and their first contact with Europeans

Hernando De Soto

In the April of 1540, Hernando De Soto and his soldiers marched in the Southeastern Woods in the United States were the Cherokee’s are located to search for Gold and Silver. The Cherokee have heard about the expedition toward neighboring tribes and were forced to move up north because of their outrageous conduct. De Soto and his soldiers have crossed through the Cherokee village and they found out that the entire village was deserted.

De Soto and his men marched to the west entering another Cherokee country. De Soto was surprised because they had received a much warmer welcome. The Spaniards reported that Cherokee were hospitable, entertainers and provided them food such as corns, beans, turkeys and more.

After their stay on Cherokee country, they moved to the Muscogee, Creek. De Soto asked two soldiers to look for reported mines with Gold and Silver. But a report states that after Cherokees generosity to the Spaniards, Hernando De Soto chose not to pursuit for the mines. The Spaniards stayed until May 25, 1540.

REFERENCE

"About the Nation:Cherokee Festivals." About the Nation:Cherokee Festivals. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2013.

"Cherokeehistory.com." - Cherokeehistory Resources and Information. This Website Is for Sale! N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2013.

"First Cherokee Contact with the Europeans." American History USA RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2013.

"Hudson, Charles, and Lewis and Jordan. "Green Corn Ceremony." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Jan. 2013. Web. 09 Feb. 2013.

"Native American Rituals and Ceremonies - History and Information - Page 2." Native American Rituals and Ceremonies - History and Information - Page 2. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2013.

"United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation Offering Tribal Handmade Traditional Red Cedar and Hickory Wood Longbows." United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation Offering Tribal Handmade Traditional Red Cedar and Hickory Wood Longbows. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2013.