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Here is some info on the Cherokee Clan system. It
comes from Grandmother Anita Atsila Davis, Bird Clan Mother of the
Southern Cherokee Tribe and Associated Bands in
Texas. She is a wonderful woman and a
wealth of knowledge. It is truly an honor to know her.
"There is no
such thing as 'Part-Cherokee'. Either you're Cherokee or you're not. It isn't
the quantity of Cherokee blood in your veins that is important, but the quality
of it . . . your pride in it. I have seen full-bloods who have virtually no idea
of the great legacy entrusted to their care. Yet, I have seen people with as
little as 1/500th blood quantum who inspire the spirits of their ancestors
because they make being Cherokee a proud part of a their everyday life."
AniWahya - Wolf
The Clan color of the AniWahya is Red.
The Wolf Clan is the largest clan.
The most prominent clan, providing most of the war chiefs.
Wolf clan are Keepers of the wolves.
Clan who could kill a wolf.
AniTsiskwa - Bird
The Clan color for the AniTsisqua is Purple.
Bird Clan are the Keepers of the birds.
Bird Clan was skilled in using blowguns
and snares for bird hunting.
AniKawi - Deer
The Clan color for the AniKawi is Brown.
Deer Clan are the Keepers and hunters of the Deer.
AniGilohi - LongHair
The Clan color for the AniGilohi is Yellow.
Long Hair Clan also known as Twister Clan,
Hair Hanging Down Clan or Wind Clan.
Clan wore their hair in elaborate hairdos,
walked proud and vain manner.
Peace chiefs are usually from this clan.
AniWodi - Paint
The Clan color for the AniWodi is White.
The Paint Clan made red paint and the
medicine men come for this clan.
AniGatowegi - Wild Potato
The Clan color for the AniGatogewi is Green.
Wild Potato Clan are also known as the Bear Clan,
Raccoon Clan or Blind Savannah Clan.
They gather the wild potato plants in swamps and
along streams for food.
Ani Sahoni - Blue
The Clan color for the Ani Sahoni is Blue.
Blue or Panther Clan made blue medicine
from a special blue plant to keep the children.
Also known as the Wildcat Clan.
Clan membership was always inherited through the mother and children belonged to
their mother's clan and sat with them at the ceremonials. The children's father
sat with his mother's clan. A child's uncle on his mother's side was a very
important figure, and had a great deal to do with the rearing and discipline of
the child. The father would be more concerned with his sister's children.
There was love and respect between children and their father, but it was the
mother's brother, as a member of their own clan who had the most to say about
their upbringing.
It was also the clan who protected, supported, a and looked out for its members.
Clan loyalty was the strongest bond among the Cherokee. It was also the clan
that revenged wrongs, and the law of blood revenge survived into the nineteenth
century. By the 1890's the bilateral extended family had taken the place of the
clan as a support group.
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