Gadugi

Ga-du-gi (Cherokee:ᎦᏚᎩ) is a term used in the Cherokee language which means "working together" in a community sense. Historically, the word meant working together towards a common goal which would benefit all of the Cherokee People such as working together to build a community council house, or working together to bring in the harvest of corn during the Green Corn Ceremony (ah-ga-we-la se-lu u-tsi) which translates as "old woman corn mother", the highest traditional ceremony of the Cherokee People which was held annually during the first moon following the corn harvest.

In modern times, this word means community service for which an individual did not expect payment or services in return. The word Ga-du-gi was derived from the Cherokee word for "bread", which is "Ga-du". Ga-du-gi means "putting together the bread" as was done when parched corn flour, wild onions, and tepary beans were mixed to make traditional bean bread, a much relished and tasty food, for community feasts and social events.

In modern times, the emphasis on Ga-du-gi by the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma has been very strong. The nation has encouraged Ga-du-gi in the communities and as a political platform ideal during the re-election of Chad Smith to instill greater community awareness among the Cherokee people. This was done to encourage the Cherokee people to develop and sustain the goal of self reliance and independent sovereignty.

References

#"Cherokee Nation" [http://www.cherokee.org]
#"History of Gadugi" [http://www.cherokee.org/CULTURE/HistoryPage.asp?ID=119]