[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 6 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.
6. The Bounding Bush Ceremony Third full week of December that runs from a Monday to a Saturday
Evergreens are carried to the arbors in the community circle at the community grounds and waved in dances during this celebration. Gifts are given by clans --all needs are met as household goods, firewood and fuel, tools and weapons are voluntarily given and redistributed among clan members and the storehouse is filled so that everyone has clothing, blankets, and firewood/fuel to make it through the winter months. Elders - in particular the clan mothers and the principal clan mother- are given a useful gift - preferably handmade- each day. The Eagle Dance is performed at this ceremony.
[Examples of Dates: December 13-18, 2010; December 19-24, 2011; Dec. 12-22, 2012; Dec. 16-21, 2013; Dec. 15-20, 2014 and so on] but especially Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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.
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS:
Anetsodi must be played BEFORE the dancing of the Eagle Dance. Once the Eagle Dance has been danced, there are to be no more games of Anetsodi until the next festival of Springtime.
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.
