Cherokee Clans

The Cherokee Clans (Cherokee Clan:ᏧᏂᏴᏫ or Cherokee Clans:ᎤᎦᏯ) were the traditional social organization of ancient Cherokee or Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya society. There are currently seven recognized Cherokee Clans.

The Seven Cherokee Clans

"Ah-ni-ga-to-ge-wi" or Wild Potato Clan - Were known to be farmers and gatherers of the wild potato plants in swamps (hence the name gatogewi = "swamp"), along streams, and swamps to make flour or bread for food, and were so named after them. They are keepers and protectors of the earth. The Wild Potato Clan have also been known as the Bear Clan, Raccoon Clan and even Blind Savannah in different regions. The Clan color for the "AniGatogewi" is Green and their wood is Birch.

"Ah-ni-gi-lo(la)-hi" or Long Hair Clan - This Clan, also known as the Twister Clan, Hanging Down Clan or Wind Clan. "Gilahi" is short for an old in fact very old ancient "Gitlvgvnahita", the warrior women's society, meaning "something that grows from the back of the neck". Those belonging to this Clan wore their hair in elaborate hairdos, walked in a proud and vain manner twisting their shoulders. They are teachers and keepers of tradition. Peace chiefs usually came from this clan at one time in Cherokee history and wore a white feather robe. The Clan color for the "AniGilohi" is Yellow and their wood is Beech.

"Ah-ni-(k)a-wi" or Deer Clan — Those belonging to this Clan were the keepers of the deer, deer hunters and trackers, tanners and seamers, as well as keepers of the deer medicines. They were known to be fast runners and foot messengers. The Clan Color for the "AniKawi" is Brown and their wood is Oak.

"Ah-ni-tsi-sk-wa" or Red Tailed Hawk Clan — Those belonging to this Clan (also called the bird clan) were the keepers of the birds, sacred feathers and bird medicines. They were messengers and were very skilled in using blowguns and snares for bird hunting. Their color is Purple, and their wood is Maple.

"Ah-ni-sa-ho-ni" or Blue Holly Clan — Those belonging to this clan were keepers of all children's medicines and caretakers of medicinal herb gardens. They became known for a medicine from a bluish colored plant called a blue holly, and were so named after it. This Clan has also been known as the Panther or Wild Cat Clan, in some regions. Their color is Blue and their wood is Ash.

"Ah-ni-wo-di" or Paint Clan — Those belonging to this Clan made red paint. The tribe's medicine men, "Dida:hnvwi:sgi" (healers) and "Adawehi" (wise men), traditionally came from this clan at one time in Cherokee history. The Clan Color for the "AniWodi" is White and their wood is Locust.

"Ani'-Wah' Ya" or Wolf Clan — The Wolf Clan is the largest clan today providing most of the war chiefs, and warriors. True "Ani'-Wah' Ya" are protectors of the people. The wolf clan are keepers and trackers of the wolf and the only clan who could kill a wolf through special ceremonies and wolf medicines. The Clan color of the "AniWaya" is Red and their wood is Hickory.

Clan Customs of the Cherokee Clans

Customs of the Cherokee clans have evolved since ancient times, however, traditionalists still observe clan customs regarding marriage and certain social events. In modern Oklahoma Cherokee culture, Stomp Dances still observe clan rules and hierarchy for Stomp Dance Events.

The Cherokee society is historically a matrilineal society; meaning clanship is attained through the mother. Prior to Oklahoma statehood, the women were considered the Head of Household among the Western Cherokee in Oklahoma, with the home and children belonging to her should she separate from a husband. The knowledge of a person's clan is important for many reasons; historically, and still today among Cherokee traditionalists, it is forbidden to marry within your clan. Clan members are considered brother and sisters. In addition, when seeking spiritual guidance and traditional medicine ceremonies, it is necessary to name your clan. Seating at ceremonial stomp dances is by clan, as well.

Cherokees born outside of a clan or outsiders who were taken into the tribe in ancient times had to be adopted into a clan by a clan mother. If the person was a women who had borne a Cherokee child and was married to a Cherokee man, she could be taken into a new clan, and her husband was required to leave his clan and move to her new clan. Men who were not Cherokee and married into a Cherokee household could simply be taken into his wife's clan.

The Ah-ni-go-te-ge-wi or the Wild Potato Clan's subdivision is Blind Savannah . Historically, members of this clan were known to be 'keepers of the land,' and gatherers The wild potato was a main staple of the older Cherokee life back east (Tsa-la-gi U-we-ti). At some Oklahoma Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Wild Potato arbor is to the left of the Wolf arbor.

The Ah-ni-gi-lo-hi or the Long Hair Clan, whose subdivisions are Twister, Wind and Strangers, are known to be a very peaceful clan. In the times of the Peace Chief and War Chief government, the Peace Chief would come from this clan. Prisoners of war, orphans of other tribes, and others with no Cherokee tribe were often adopted into this clan, thus the name 'Strangers.' At some Oklahoma Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Long Hair arbor is on the East side, and also houses the Chiefs and other leaders of the ground.

The Ah-ni-(k)a-wi or the Deer Clan were historically known as fast runners and hunters. Even though they hunted game for subsistence, they respected and cared for the animals while they were living amongst them. They were also known as messengers on an earthly level, delivering messengers from village to village, or person to person. At some Oklahoma Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Deer arbor is to the left of the Wild Potato arbor.

Ah-ni-tsi-s-qua or the Red Tailed Hawk (Bird) Clan were historically known as messengers. The belief that birds are messengers between earth and heaven, or the People and Creator, gave the members of this clan the responsibility of caring for the birds. The subdivisions are Raven, Turtle Dove and Eagle. Our earned Eagle feathers were originally presented by the members of this clan, as they were the only ones able to collect them. At some Oklahoma Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Bird arbor is to the left of the Deer arbor.

The Ah-ni-sa-ho-ni or the Blue Clan subdivisions are Panther, or Wildcat and Bear. Historically, this clan produced many people who were able to make special medicines for the children. At some Oklahoma Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Blue arbor is to the left of the Long Hair arbor.

The Ah-ni-wo-di or the Paint Clan were historically known as a prominent medicine people. Medicine is often 'painted' on a patient after harvesting, mixing and performing other aspects of the ceremony. At some Oklahoma Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Paint arbor is to the left of the Bird arbor.

The Ani'-Wah' Ya of the Wolf has been known throughout time to be the largest clan. During the time of the Peace Chief and War Chief government setting, the War Chief would come from this clan. Wolves are known as protectors. At some Oklahoma Cherokee ceremonial grounds, the Wolf arbor is to the left of the Blue arbor.

Elias Boudinot wrote the following article in The Cherokee Editor on February 18, 1829 regarding Cherokee Clan marriage customs:

:"This simple division of the Cherokees formed the grand work by which marriages were regulated, and murder":"punished. A Cherokee could marry into any of the clans except two, that to which his father belongs, for all of":"that clan are his fathers and aunts and that to which his mother belongs, for all of that clan are his brothers":"and sisters, a child invariably inheriting the clan of his mother. "

ee also

*Anishinaabe clan system

References

* Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center, Tahlequah, Okalhoma.
* "Cherokee", ISBN 1-55868-603-7, Graphic Arts Center Publishing