Cherokee
The Cherokee were a Native American tribe known for their strong connection to nature and their advanced way of living. They had their own language, rules, and traditions. The Cherokee were good at farming, hunting, and making pottery and baskets. They believed in many spirits and held special ceremonies to honor them. Even though they faced many hardships, including being forced to move from their land, the Cherokee have kept their culture alive and continue to share it with others today.
Location and Environment
The Cherokee lived in the mountains and valleys of the southern Appalachian Mountains. They moved into the present-day areas of North and South Carolina, Tennessee, northern Georgia, and Alabama.
Housing and Shelter
The Cherokee lived in villages along the riverbanks. Each village had a council house, a large, circular, windowless building often built on a mound. The walls were made of saplings woven together and plastered with mud. In the summer, the Cherokee lived in large, rectangular wooden houses. The family moved to smaller, round, windowless houses in the winter. They made benches for their homes.
Models of Log Houses
Clothing and Adornments
The women made clothing from deerskins and plants woven into the material. They wore short skirts. The men wore breechcloths, leggings, and moccasins and liked to paint and tattoo their bodies. During the winter, they wore capes made from rabbit fur or turkey feathers tied over the left shoulder for warmth. Their clothing was decorated with dyed porcupine quills, and they wore jewelry made of bones and teeth.