The 6 Festivals

Blog Post 2

April 13th, 2015

By: Kendra Boub

"Corn Mother" by Marjette Schille

       In Cherokee culture the most important food is corn, or "selu". Selu is also the name of the First Woman in Cherokee creation stories. Blue Ridge Heritage.com states, "the raising of corn was interwoven with the spiritual beliefs of the people".  So obviously they are going to have a corn party. There were six main festivals practiced by the Cherokee Nation. Since the Trail of Tears there are only a few tribes that practice all six. Two of the six are dedicated to corn. Most of the festivals consisted of: sacrifices, games, prayers, fasting, and food. They also included dance rituals: the stomp dance, feather dance,and buffalo dances.
       The first to occur is called First New Moon of Spring; which is celebrated in March. Here it is said, "The seven Principal Counselors determined when the moons would appear and a messenger would announce the upcoming festival to all the Cherokee people"("Cherokee Festivals"). Seven men gathered the food and another seven prepared it. Then over the next few days there was friendship dances, sacrifices, and sacred fires. 
       The second festival is called the Green Corn Ceremony; which is celebrated in late June or early July for four days. This festival celebrates the creation of new corn! Throughout the ceremony, "people fasted, played stickball, had corn sacrificing and took medicine. Then after the ceremonial fasting they would feast" ( "Cherokee Festivals"). Another important part of this feast was the ritual washing. The Cherokee Nation believes that the cleansing washes away impurities or bad deeds and starts a new life. 
       Third, was the Mature Green Corn Ceremony. This is held around 45 days after the Green Corn Ceremony. Here the Cherokee danced and feasted again for four days. 

"Green Corn Ceremony of the Creek" by Mort Kunstler

       When October arrives the Great New Moon Festival starts. This is a big event for the Cherokee because it marks their New Year. Cherokee also believe that the world was created in the season of Autumn ("Cherokee Festivals"). The festival is filled with feasts and dances.
        Ten days later the Friends Made Ceremony begins. I like this festival the best because it focuses on your friendships you have with people. The Cherokee Nation explained, " This festival renewed the Fire, and the people. It also brought friendship by ceremonially forgiving conflicts from the previous year. This was seen as a brand new start" ("Cherokee Festivals").
        The last festival is held in the winter and lasted four days. At this festival tobacco was collected and feasts were prepared. There were women in turtle shells and people dancing with pine or spruce ("Cherokee Festivals"). I couldn't find the name for this festival, so I'm guessing they just wanted to party before the snow took over.

1. "Cherokee Agriculture | Agricultural Heritage | Blue Ridge Mountains NC | Blue Ridge National Heritage Area." Cherokee Agriculture | Agricultural Heritage | Blue Ridge Mountains NC | Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/heritage/agriculture/cherokee-agriculture>.
2. "Cherokee Festivals." Cherokee Festivals. Cherokee Nation, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cherokee.org/AboutTheNation/Culture/General/CherokeeFestivals.aspx>.