Cherokee Weapons
Arrowheads were made from various kinds of stone, but, flint was considered the best. Not only because it was so hard, but also because the “grain” in flint is easier to chip than most other hard rocks.

Miss Cherokee
Miss Cherokee serves as the goodwill ambassador for the tribe. During her reign, she appears at community meetings, participates in parades, visits schools and takes part in various special events throughout Cherokee Nation. In addition, she travels to festivities inside, as well as outside our state.

Cherokee Stomp Dance
A firekeeper and his assistant begins early dawn starting the official sacred fire. He begins with small slivers of wood, inner most part of an oak tree called the sponge, flint and some rock to trigger a spark.

Cherokee Social Games: Di-ga-da-yo-s-di (Marbles)
Cherokee Marbles is a game of skill, still played in the form of tournaments. Also a skill is the art of making the marbles themselves.

Shell Shaker
In the Stomp Dances of the Southeastern Indian cultures, women have an equally important role in the dance as the men.

Cherokee Medicine Men and Women
Stories tell us the Cherokee Medicine People travel to the rock caves to meet with the Little People and share in their secrets. They are trained for many years in many ways, and are still a very integral part of the traditional Cherokee's life.

Cherokee Festivals: Series 1 through 6
There were six main festivals or religious observances before the forced removal. These festivals were to be observed at the capital. The UKU, seven (7) Principal Counselors and people from all seven Cherokee clans participated.

The Traditional Cherokee Belief System
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.

Stickball and its Role In Cherokee Ceremony
A-ne-jo-di, or Stickball, is a very rough game played by not only the Cherokee, but many other Southeastern Woodland tribes including the Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, and others.

Cherokee Medicinal Herbs
The Cherokee have been gifted by the Creator with an understanding of the gathering, use and preservation of medicinal herbs. The Cherokee believe that these plants were put on this earth to provide not only healing methods, but preventative measures, as well.

The Old Cherokee Wedding
The old, historic Cherokee wedding ceremony was a beautiful event. Although many Cherokees today choose to marry according to the customs of their chosen religious denomination, some traditionalists marry under the old belief system. . .

Disease and Genocide
From the Declaration of Designed Purpose, Principal Chief Chad Smith and Deputy Chief Hastings Shade speak out on disease and genocide.

The Game of Cornstalk Shooting
From the Indian-Pioneer Papers...a historic look at the Cornstalk Shoot

Cherokee Clan: Anigilohi
A brief historical look at the Long Hair Clan

Cherokee Clan: Anisahoni
A brief historical description of the Blue Clan

Cherokee Clan: Aniwaya
A brief historical description of the Wolf Clan

Cherokee Clan: Anigotegewi
A brief historical description of the Wild Potato clan

Cherokee Clan: Aniawi
A brief historical description of the Deer Clan

Cherokee Clan: Anitsisqua
A brief historical description of the Bird Clan

Cherokee Clan: Aniwodi
A brief historical description of the Paint clan

The Cherokee Game of Stickball
From the Indian-Pioneer Papers, a historical look at Stickball.

Cherokee Medicinal Herbs
Some information from the historic Indian-Pioneer Papers.

Miscellaneous from Elmira
This interview from the Indian-Pioneer Papers gives us insight on a disappearing world.

The Historical Naming Process
See how the process of naming children differed in 1725 from today.

The Women's Dance
J.P. Evans stated in 1835 that this was a rare dance, but today it is even rarer. Read this account from almost 170 years ago.

The Cherokee Townhouse
Read the 1835 description of a tribal building no longer in use.

Cherokee Dwellings
J.P. Evans reports on Cherokee dwellings of 1835

Manner of Cherokee Dress
An 1835 account of common Cherokee dress.

Cherokee Hospitality
In 1835, traditional Cherokees were very hospitable, just as they are today.

Cherokee Clans
In 1835, the clan system was very much still alive, as it is today amongst the more traditional Cherokees.

Cherokee Towns
Just like today, Cherokee communities were spread out throughout large areas. Read this 1835 account of Cherokee communities.

Chunkey Game
Information on Chunkey, said to be the oldest game in America.

Traditional Cornstalk Shoot
The traditional cornstalk shoot has been a major part of the Cherokee National Holiday since the celebration was institutionalized in 1953 and has remained basically the same. The rules for the traditional Indian bow have not been altered. In 1974, the gaining popularity of the compound bow led to the addition of that division along with the youth division.

Marbles
How to play the Cherokee game of marbles. Check the Arts section for information on making a marble.

Stickball Rules
Suggested rules for school teams; used by several teams at schools within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional boundaries.

Uses of River Cane
Information from traditionalist William Cabbagehead, compiled in 1991.