[EDITOR NOTE: remember, this public part of the handbook on ritual is not meant to be comprehensive nor is it to be the final way of celebrating or living. It is to be considered INTRODUCTORY as a means of helping those who have been outside of the culture and traditions to start to take steps to returning to the real Cherokee culture and traditions. Therefore, some things that are part of this are recent to our culture but allow our folks to gradually become accustomed to our ways without too much culture shock. We must be patient with our new members.]
RITUAL FESTIVAL 5 OF 7
Historically, our people used the moon calendar.
Unlike the Calendars used today around the world, this calendar did not have just 12 months.
Because the time between two full Moons doesn't quite equal a whole month, approximately every three years there are two full Moons in one calendar month AND the moon calendar and modern calendars do not “match up”.
Because of this, while there are some families and even fewer communities that do celebrate on the times of the actual Full and New moons, most of us, because of work schedules, cannot do so.
Therefore, we have established “national” holidays based on a 12 month calendar, taking into account the variation in the moons and the discrepancies of the 12 month calendar, forming a “Modern” schedule for festivities that the Nation is to follow.
We strongly encourage families and communities to continue to follow the cycles of the moon whenever possible as well as acknowledging the new “modern” calender so that the larger numbers of our people may celebrate together.
Communities should celebrate the entire week from Monday through Saturday ending after Sunrise on that Sunday morning, however, exemptions may and should be granted for those few who cannot arrange to be off work providing that they are present at the ceremonies from Friday evening until after Sunrise on Sunday morning and that those few arrange their schedule in order to participate in at least one of these 6 events for the entire week every year. NO Cherokee may miss the celebration of the Ugu and all are required to attend that 3 day ceremony every seven years unless illness or disability or if they are in a process of grieving, that prohibits their travel. Communities are required to make plans in advance in order to be certain that everyone in their community is able to get to the Ugu ceremony.
5. The Clan Festival aka the Friendship Ceremony or sometimes referred to as the Brush Arbor Celebrations 2nd full week of October that runs from a Sunday to a Saturday- but this festival lasts 8 days so it goes over into the 2nd Sunday. This is sometimes referred to as the Harvested Corn festival as it is held after all the garden harvests are complete.
[examples of dates: October 10-17, 2010; October 9-16, 2011; October 7-14, 2012; October 13-20, 2013; -- Every day of this festival has a ceremony so each is important.
This festival is celebrated by families even if there is no community government near to them.
Columbus day sometimes falls during this time. Despite how it appears, we do NOT celebrate Columbus day-- except that sometimes we commemorate it through Fasting. Because even though we would NEVER celebrate that day, Sometimes though, that day falls within our ceremony and because of that, an alteration in the traditional schedule is followed. Should that day occur during our ceremony time, it is to be marked by going into the OSI or sweat lodges the evening before Columbus Day, Fasting during the day light hours, and going to water in the evening before a meal of corn soup (chowder or any variety) is shared in silence [no one speaks after the prayer until the end of the meal when the leader rises and plays a river cane flute song of prayer then all may speak again] in honor of those who perished;
Traditionally, this week long Celebration commemorates the Beginning of the world and the giving of our traditions and fire to us by Creator.
We honor Doy’unisi- Beavers granddaughter for bringing up the mud that formed the land we dwell on.
We do this by bringing gifts of pottery to the ceremony to give to our mothers... every mother should receive a new pottery vessel during this ceremony.
We honor the tiny water spider for bringing us the coal of fire.
We commemorate this by the sharing of pine needle baskets brought as gifts to the ceremony. Every woman brings a new basket to this ceremony. Preferably, one she made, but she may trade for a new basket to bring. These are placed in the storehouse and any who have a need in the coming year may take the basket.
We honor the Nocturnal plants and animals for obedience to the Creator. We tell their stories. We eat their food.
We do this in telling their stories and singing the songs in the Osi and by being watchful all through the night.
Fresh Cedar is laid on the ground beneath the booths which are all whitewashed with special painting material and covered in the final colored leafed branches of fall- white pine is also used should there not be enough leafy trees left. In this festival, food is shared. Water is brought from the head water springs of the Tennessee River and used in ceremony. A different clan is responsible for bringing the water each day of the ceremony till all 7 have brought the water.
(NOTE: ONLY WOMEN CARRY WATER but she is to be accompanied by warriors from her clan)
Prayers are said prior to gathering the water.
Prior to gathering the water, all participants must go to water:
prayer is to be said in Cherokee... but till you learn it you may say in English:
Listen!
O, now you have drawn near to hear me, O Long Man at rest.
Long man, the helper of the people, Given to us by Creator, you never let anything slip out of your hold.
You never let go of the soul within your grasp.
Come now! Take a firmer hold of me!
[go into the water]
I originated near the churning rapids and from there I stretch out my hands toward this place. (reach hands toward birthplace)
[dip 7 times and then face east]
Now I have bathed in your body.
Let the water and the white foam cling to my head as I go along my way.
Let the white staff be firmly held in my hand.
Let the health giving Aya await me along my path.
Now my soul stands tall and straight in the seventh dwelling above.
Yu!
then all participants say the prayer for gathering water
then the water is gathered and carried to shore
the prayer for after gathering is said
then they proceed along the way
they may travel in vehicles but the woman of the clan must carry 1 vessel first over any bridge, stream, or boundary line while on foot
praying first before crossing
crossing while singing
praying after crossing
once she is across, the rest of the
procession crosses [they may either drive or walk]
all pray
then proceed
Gifts of Food such as vegetables and honey and dried meats are distributed among clans members to make certain that everyone has enough set by to survive the winter and the food storehouse is stocked. This is when canned foods are given too as everyone works to make sure that all food pantries are stocked in anticipation of the coming winter. Tremendous Feasting occurs freely every day and every meal of this ceremony [with the exception of if Columbus day falls within it].
There is a lot of feasting.
Lots of foods containing honey are given prepared and shared in the feast to help us all stick together.
The Bear Dance is danced at this ceremony.
Restitution that was made for grievances is announced by the one who received it (if it was acceptable) and the forgiveness is celebrated. [this is if the person who offered the restitution and followed through with it before the new year festival and now in this new year has shown themselves to be truly repentant and changed]
This ceremony is profoundly religious.
Day one- Individuals, couples and families renew their promises and agreements to one another. Additional gifts of Bread and cloth or clothing are exchanged. All go to water after this is done. Often, the restitution price that was agreed upon before the ceremony is recognized as paid in full this day (if it was paid before the new year ceremony).
IF DAY 2 IS COLUMBUS DAY WE FAST
Columbus day sometimes falls during this time. Despite how it appears, we do NOT celebrate
Columbus day-- except that sometimes we commemorate it through Fasting. Because even though we
would NEVER celebrate that day, Sometimes though, that day falls within our ceremony and because
of that, an alteration in the traditional schedule is followed. Should that day occur during our ceremony
time, it is to be marked by going into the OSI or sweat lodges the evening before Columbus Day,
WE CALL FOR THE ABOLISHMENT OF COLUMBUS DAY
Fasting during the day light hours, and going to water in the evening before a meal of corn soup
(chowder or any variety) is shared in silence [no one speaks after the prayer until the end of the meal
when the leader rises and plays a river cane flute song of prayer then all may speak again] in honor of
those who perished;
Day 3, In the Morning...Clans renew their ties and promises to one another within their clan. The clan booth is rebuilt. Repairs are made to the storehouses Restitution among clan members are made this day. Gifts of apples are exchanged among all of the clan members. All go to water after this is done.
In the Evening, all 7 clans renew their agreements to each other. The grounds are worked on together. Pre agreed upon Restitution between clans is finalized this day. Gifts of the nut harvest are shared between clans. All go to water after this is done. Then the 7 stem pipe is shared.
Day 5 Clans then renew their agreements with the POLITICAL leaders. All go to water after this is done. Then a feast is held.
Day 7 GIFTS are given to the SPIRITUAL Leaders and the people all renew their agreements with Creator. Gifts of Tobacco- Nicotiana Rustica -- are offered at this time. All go to water after this is done all the people who have completed the above steps come together for a ceremony.
Day 7 continues into Day 8 with Feasting and dancing at the Gatiyo.
ADDITIONAL EXPLANATIONS:
Most of us in the south know what these are however, some have asked: WHAT IS A BRUSH ARBOR???
A brush arbor is a rough, open-sided shelter constructed of vertical poles driven into the ground with additional long poles laid across the top as support for a roof of brush, cut branches or long grasses. Typically, the newly turning leaves of the deciduous trees are used but sometimes, also white pine branches are used. Cedar shavings and pine sawdust are used to cover the ground.
Leafy branches overlaid the pole structure, blocking the hot summer sun and most rainfall.
Long planks or half logs (split down the center so one side is round the other is flat) are used along the sides not only to add support to the structure but to also be used as seating around the booth.
Logs are laid inside the arbor for additional seating.
Cherokees will build these in the back or side yards of the house of the oldest family living ancestor during this ceremony. However, if there is a community group, they will also come to the community owned property and build an arbor for each of the clans.
If a singular arbor is built in a family home site, the entrance faces the east. If these are at the old home place, many folks also bring sleeping bags and sleep in these arbors. Large families will build quite a large one. The roof is never permanent; it is always freshly laid for this ceremony.
If there is a community grounds, the clans all come together too and build these structures there on the grounds; there are 7 of these arbors stretched around a very large circle. There is an empty space in the East side that another could have fit into but it is left empty as an opening.
A single eighth brush arbor stands to the left of the eastern entrance outside the structure.
The 7 arbors forming the circle are spaced evenly with space between each one equal to the size of the arbors.
An arbor should be about a dozen or more feet long and at least half as wide as it is long. The 3 sides are "closed" by the seating and the fourth side, facing the inner circle, is open as the entrance.
The home place arbors are completed in their entirety BEFORE the celebration begins.
The structures for the ones on the community grounds are rebuilt or built BEFORE the celebration begins too however they are not covered - nothing on top and no shavings below-- until the first day of the celebration and the gathering of branches and the covering f the arbors is part of the ceremony.
Along with the everyday elements of this celebration: going to water, the sprinkling of water, the brushing of the circle with our branches, and the feasting and dancing--
DAY 3
My grandmother said its a sin to cut down or kill any nut tree or any fruit tree.
We should take this to heart in these days of dwindling forests and food supplies. Wood from trees that fell naturally or trees that had portions harvested were only used after special ceremonies that allowed us to use the wood.
An Adawehi has a ceremony for taking certain trees, but you should never cut down any fruit or nut tree-- and you should never cut down any other kind of tree- even if its not a nut or fruit tree-- without consulting an Aadawehi as to how it should be done first. Our cherokee ancestors were more interested in the food value of the tree rather than the wood.
Cherokees ground the nuts for breads, cakes, soup, relish, and mush for baby food. Our people saved the buttery fat left from boiling the nuts. From the sap gathered the clans made syrup and beverages. Many folks gathered their own nuts but also there was a thriving trade involving nuts.
On the 3rd day of the Friendships Renewed ceremonies, the clans exchange large portions of their nut harvest with the other clans so that all can eat and enjoy the variety throughout the winter.
DEER/ BIG DEER
CHESTNUT The American chestnut - not the Asian Variety- difficult to find these days. It is still included here not only as a tribute to its traditional importance but also in the hope that it may someday be re-established fully in a disease-resistant form. About 1900, a fungus disease reached this country from eastern Asia because people brought that Asian tree here and planted it. The Asian chestnut, which had been exposed to the blight over many centuries because Asia was where the pathogen originated, was more or less immune but the American trees sickened rapidly and in one human generation we lost a dominant forest species. This tragic loss is also a reminder as to why non native species need to be removed from our homeland- and better yet- never brought here. This clan is bereft- no other nut is assigned to them for harvesting-- they pray for the return of the tree and many members of this clan work hard to plant and tend American chestnuts in the hope that one day a resistent strain will emerge. Meanwhile, they have no nuts to exchange, but they often purchase a gift membership in the American Chestnut foundation TACF in each one of the different clan names and present that gift to them. The TACF is planting American Chestnuts and protecting the few known survivors of the blight and they also engage in back cross breeding to restore this tree. WE ALSO work to ERADICATE the ASIAN CHESTNUT from our homeland believing it to still be a threat to our native Chestnuts.
BIRD CLAN
CHESTNUT OAK ACORNS The white oak or chestnut oak is a prime source of protein that is much healthier than soy which seems to have replaced it in diets today. Any acorn may be eaten with proper treatment. Although the squirrel is more often thought of in regard to what eats acorns, any species of birds eat acorns and other nuts.
The Chestnut oak is known as the Principal tree- it was the most plentiful and it may be cut down by following a particular ceremony but only under the direction of an Adawehi. Mostly, the fallen branches are collected and used for ceremony.
PAINT CLAN
WALNUT The black walnut, one of our most valued hardwoods, is found over most of the eastern half of the United States from southern New England to southern Georgia. The tree is a majestic sight, towering 70 to 100 feet and covered with graceful sprays of leaflets. If you have one on your land, treasure it . . . they're becoming scarce.
LONG HAIR CLAN
BEECH The beech is a large tree—60 to 80 feet-high—with smooth gray bark and oval leaves. It's a familiar part of the hardwood forest and also a popular shade and ornamental species. Very handsome it is, too, especially in the fall when the foliage turns gold or dark copper. Beeches are found from southern Canada to east Texas and south to Florida, but bear more nuts in the northern part of their range.
Holly Clan
BUTTERNUT The butternut or white walnut looks much like a smaller black walnut (40 to 80 feet) with lighter colored bark. It thrives farther north than its larger relation, however, and grows higher in the mountains.
WOLF CLAN
HICKORY Hickories are relations of the walnuts. They're large, well-shaped trees, 60-80 feet high, and thrive best in open woods or at the edges of forests where they have plenty of light. Most of the several species (other than the pecan) are found all over the eastern half of the United States from lower N ew England to the South. The shellbark hickory (its bark comes loose in long strips) is the most popular for its nuts. The fruit from any hickory, however is wholesome to eat if the flavor is good.
WILD POTATOE
PECAN Unlike other hickories, the pecan originally had a very limited range: from southern Indiana, Iowa and Kansas south to Alabama and Texas. The: commercial importance of the nuts, however, has led to the planting of orchards in many parts of the South. This impressive tree—80 to 100 feet high—has been used as an ornamental as far, north as Massachusetts . . . but its real home is in warm, rich bottom land.
DAY 5
Every day we have the giving of gifts.
Today we do these things and we also give gifts to our leaders.
Today we honor our political leaders- giving them gifts that remind them of their promises to us- and of our promises to them- to serve where needed- to get the job done under their direction- to help them understand the issues
today we each bring our clan wood to our political leaders... some do this in the form of a bundle of kindling or even firewood- others have carved or made something from their clan wood... and this is given to our political leaders.
Deer: Oak
Bird: 2- Cedar and Maple
Paint: Locust
Long Hair: Beech
Holly: Ash
Wolf: Hickory
Potato: Birch
Our leaders need everyone's help to protect us!
Our biggest "battle" right now is the fight for the right to call ourselves Cherokee.
We were uniting long before the RED CLAY announcement-- but that spurred us to take more active action [if that can be a phrase]...
today we each bring our clan wood to our political leaders... some do this in the form of a bundle of kindling or even firewood- others have carved or made something from their clan wood... and this is given to our political leaders.
DAY 6 (FRIDAY)
We honor our Spiritual Leaders.
In addition to going to water, the sprinkling of water, the sweeping with the branches, the feasting and the dancing that occurs daily, today we ceremoniously present our Spiritual leaders with gifts.
These gifts are Cloth, (can also be clothing and regalia or the elements to construct these); Stones or items made of stone, Cane (mtn cane) or items made of mountain cane.
Musical instruments like water drums, dagsi shackles, gourd rattles and cane flutes may also be presented.
In addition, each clan brings a significantly sized gift of the herb/plants that their clan is responsible for gathering and they present these not only to one another but also to the spiritual leaders and healers.
Deer: Deer Tongue
Bird: Nicotiana Rustica and Sassafras
Paint: Sumac Qua lo ga
Long Hair: Mint
Holly: Holly
Wolf: Blood root
Potato: Arrow Root
DAY 7 (SATURDAY)
We honor our Ceremonial Grounds and we remember our heros- our ancestors who walked this land before us.
In addition to going to water, the sprinkling of water, the sweeping with the branches, the feasting and the dancing that occurs daily, today we prepare for GATIYO. Tobacco (old nicotiana rustica) and Deer tongue (the plant) are brought
The final morning- Dawn of Sunday after the last song at the Gatiyo- all go to water and breakfast is shared. Traditionally, everyone rests for a few hours, staying on the grounds-- then the young people play medicine ball - boys against the girls--while the elders watch. [generally ages 14-21] In this version, no sticks are used. The ball is a small round piece made of cloth about 7 inches across and stuffed like a thin pillow. The cloth is generally dark brown and is often leather.
There are 7 boys and 7 girls on each team. They may call time outs and they may also exchange out players as needed- players exiting must touch hands with the one coming in before exchanging places. A time out does not need to be called to make the exchange but the player must return to the other side of the arch where their team sits or stands in order to exchange places. The boys get to call 4 time outs per game. The girls may call up to 13 time outs per game.
No one except the players and the elders with switches may enter the field.
Boys can only use their feet to pick up the ball and may only carry it under their chin- after picking up the ball with their foot, they may use one hand to position it under their chin but must do so quickly- holding it too long or moving (running or walking) while placing it under the chin is a foul. Girls may use both hands and may carry the ball in their hands and are not restricted like the boys are. Boys may not tackle the girls but girls may tackle the boys. Boys use blocking and strategy to attempt to defeat the girls. Elders with long hickory switches enforce the rules. There are 4 men elders and 4 women elders. They are generally in their 40’s and selected because they know they game and are able to keep up with the players. Two other elders, a man and a woman, generally in their 70’s are chosen as score keepers. They stand together on the east side near the the middle edge of the field. The men elders only switch their boys for breaking rules but the women elders may switch either side. Points are made when a runner carrying the ball, is able to run through the arch of trees at the end of the field. Those switching aim for the legs and shoulders and avoid faces. They may call a time out if they feel it is necessary and if a boy is too rough he may be expelled from the game and not replaced.
The Goal: The arch is made of 2 long narrow branches of willow tied together. One is at each end of the field. The field is 20-50 feet from arch to arch and should be grassy and flat. The first team to get 21 points wins. The teams go to water afterward. Then the friendship dance is danced once more. All shake hands and then go home.
====
make sure this is all in the above:
This is the Fifth Holiday in our Cycle of 7
The Clan Festival aka the Friendship Ceremony or sometimes referred to as the Brush Arbor
Celebrations 2nd full week of October that runs from a Sunday to a Saturday- but this festival lasts 8
days so it goes over into the 2nd Sunday. This is sometimes referred to as the Harvested Corn festival
as it is held after all the garden harvests are complete [examples of dates: October 10-17, 2010; October 9-16, 2011; October 7-14, 2012; October 13-20, 2013; -- Every day of this festival has a ceremony so each is important.
The water is mixed with local water and used in ceremony. The local water is gathered fresh daily from a running or 'living' stream.
Additionally, She was in the past carried in a litter- but today my ride in any vehicle- except that now as then, she must get out and carry a pitcher of water over the boundaries and over any bridges they come to.
For instance, upon approaching a state or county line... the caravan of travellers stops... she gets out and leads the procession while carrying a large basket or jar of water over the line then after all the rest pass over, she gets back in the vehicle and resumes the journey. This is also done before crosing any bridges or streams.
The Tennessee River is formed at the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers on the east side of Knoxville, Tennessee
Officially the Tennessee River begins at mile post 652, where the French Broad River meets the Holston River. According to Tennessee Valley Authority historians] until 1933 the river that flowed past Knoxville was designated the Holston River, and the Tennessee River was considered to begin at the confluence of the Holston and the Little Tennessee River at Lenoir City 51 miles downstream and 601 miles upstream from the Ohio River at Paducah, Kentucky.
The nomenclature was changed in 1933 due to a Congressional mandate that the Tennessee Valley Authority headquarters be located on the banks of the Tennessee River.
Because the TVA headquarters were to be located in downtown Knoxville, the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers was designated to be the beginning of the Tennessee River, placing the beginning of the river upstream from Knoxville.
Gifts of Food such as vegetables and honey and dried meats are distributed among clans members to
make certain that everyone has enough set by to survive the winter and the food storehouse is stocked.
This is when canned foods are given too as everyone works to make sure that all food pantries are
stocked in anticipation of the coming winter. Tremendous Feasting occurs freely every day and every meal of this ceremony [with the exception of if Columbus day falls within it]. The Bear Dance is danced at this ceremony.
Restitution that was made for grievances is announced by the one who received it (if it was acceptable)
and the forgiveness is celebrated. [this is if the person who offered the restitution and followed through
with it before the new year festival and now in this new year has shown themselves to be truly repentant
and changed]
This ceremony is profoundly religious. Day one- Individuals, couples and families renew their promises
and agreements to one another. Additional gifts of Bread and cloth or clothing are exchanged. All go to water after this is done. Often, the restitution price that was agreed upon before the ceremony is
recognized as paid in full this day (if it was paid before the new year ceremony). Day 2, Clans renew
their ties and promises to one another within their clan. The clan booth is rebuilt. Repairs are made to
the storehouses Restitution among clan members are made this day. Gifts of apples are exchanged
among all of the clan members. All go to water after this is done. On Day 3, all 7 clans renew their
agreements to each other. The grounds are worked on together. Pre agreed upon Restitution between
clans is finalized this day. Gifts of the nut harvest are shared between clans. All go to water after this is
done. Then the 7 stem pipe is shared.
Day 4 Clans then renew their agreements with their leaders. Gifts such as honey are given to them. All
go to water after this is done. Then a feast is held. Day 5 Leaders renew their agreements with
Creator. Gifts of Tobacco- Nicotiana Rustica -- are offered at this time. All go to water after this is
done. Day 6 all the people who have completed the above steps come together for a ceremony.
Day 7 Feasting and dancing at the Gatiyo.
The final morning- Dawn of Sunday after the last song at the Gatiyo- all go to water and breakfast is
shared. Traditionally, everyone rests for a few hours, staying on the grounds-- then the young people
play medicine ball - boys against the girls--while the elders watch. [generally ages 14-21] In this
version, no sticks are used. The ball is a small round piece made of cloth about 7 inches across and
stuffed like a thin pillow. The cloth is generally dark brown and is often leather. There are 7 boys and 7
girls on each team. They may call time outs and they may also exchange out players as needed- players
exiting must touch hands with the one coming in before exchanging places. A time out does not need to
be called to make the exchange but the player must return to the other side of the arch where their team
sits or stands in order to exchange places. The boys get to call 4 time outs per game. The girls may call
up to 13 [one for each moon] time outs per game.
No one except the players and the elders with switches may enter the field.
Boys can only use their feet to pick up the ball and may only carry it under their chin- after picking up
the ball with their foot, they may use one hand to position it under their chin but must do so quickly-
holding it too long or moving (running or walking) while placing it under the chin is a foul. Girls may use
both hands and may carry the ball in their hands and are not restricted like the boys are. Boys may not tackle the girls but girls may tackle the boys. Boys use blocking and strategy to attempt to defeat the girls. Elders with long hickory switches enforce the rules. There are 4 men elders and 4 women elders.
They are generally in their 40’s and selected because they know they game and are able to keep up
with the players. Two other elders, a man and a woman, generally in their 70’s are chosen as score
keepers. They stand together on the east side near the the middle edge of the field. The men elders only
switch their boys for breaking rules but the women elders may switch either side. Points are made when
a runner carrying the ball, is able to run through the arch of trees at the end of the field. Those switching
aim for the legs and shoulders and avoid faces. They may call a time out if they feel it is necessary and if
a boy is too rough he may be expelled from the game and not replaced.
The Goal: The arch is made of 2 long narrow branches of willow tied together. One is at each end of
the field. The field is 20-50 feet from arch to arch and should be grassy and flat. The first team to get
21 points wins. The teams go to water afterward. Then the friendship dance is danced once more. All
shake hands and then go home.
ADDITIONAL EXPLANATIONS:
Most of us in the south know what these are however, some have asked: WHAT IS A BRUSH
ARBOR???
These were copied from the Indian Ceremonies by the Churches and missionaries and some churches still use them.
A brush arbor is a rough, open-sided shelter constructed of vertical poles driven into the ground with
additional long poles laid across the top as support for a roof of brush, cut branches or long grasses. Typically, the newly turning leaves of the deciduous trees are used but sometimes, also white pine
branches are used. Cedar shavings and pine sawdust are used to cover the ground.
Leafy branches overlaid the pole structure, blocking the hot summer sun and most rainfall.
Long planks or half logs (split down the center so one side is round the other is flat) are used along the
sides not only to add support to the structure but to also be used as seating around the booth.
Logs are laid inside the arbor for additional seating.
Cherokees will build these in the back or side yards of the house of the oldest family living ancestor
during this ceremony. However, if there is a community group, they will also come to the community
owned property and build an arbor for each of the clans.
If a singular arbor is built in a family home site, the entrance faces the east. If these are at the old home
place, many folks also bring sleeping bags and sleep in these arbors. Large families will build quite a
large one. The roof is never permanent; it is always freshly laid for this ceremony.
If there is a community grounds, the clans all come together too and build these structures there on the grounds; there are 7 of these arbors stretched around a very large circle. There is an empty space in the
East side that another could have fit into but it is left empty as an opening.
A single eighth brush arbor stands to the left of the eastern entrance outside the structure.
The 7 arbors forming the circle are spaced evenly with space between each one equal to the size of the arbors.
An arbor should be about a dozen or more feet long and at least half as wide [or deep] as it is long. The wider it gets, the longer it should get too.
The 3 sides are "closed" by the seating and the fourth side, facing the inner circle, is open as the entrance.
The home place arbors are completed in their entirety BEFORE the celebration begins.
The structures for the ones on the community grounds are rebuilt or built BEFORE the celebration begins too however they are not covered - nothing on top and no shavings below-- until the first day of
the celebration and the gathering of branches and the covering f the arbors is part of the ceremony.
The Adawehi society, under the direction of the clan mothers, is obligated for and responsible for the training of the young boys in A-Ne-Tso-Di and to make certain that this is played at every national festival.
NOTE:
Water had a tremendously important role in Cherokee culture.
Aside from its practical value for drinking and fishing, as a place to stalk game, and a means of travel by canoes, it played an indispensable part in ritualistic bathing, in divination, and as a base for decoctions of medicinal plants. The present Cherokees claim that in the autumn when all of the trees seem to be dropping their leaves and many of these find their way into the streams, the latter have an especial curative value. This is owing to the mingling of all the curative properties of different plants in one big decoction for the season of the medicine dance.
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS:
At no time shall any ritual or celebration taking place on the GATIYO grounds be videotaped or photographed.
Persons may not be photographed without their permission.
Photographs of person or events must not be published without the express written consent of the individual and the National Council.
