Rivers, mountains, sky, and animals are filled with spirits worshipped by these Native Americans. Priests provide a link to the spirit world. Smallpox wipes out half the tribe in 1738-1739 and priests are greatly reduced in number. Called upon to treat the ill, they frequently fall victim to the disease themselves, and their herbal treatment offers no cure for this fatal disease. As death becomes commonplace among Cherokee, customs change.
Society is more promiscuous, as in Europe, a natural reaction to ever-present death.
A new ceremonial dance reflecting the prevalence of death in the culture is introduced. With many spiritual symbols of the failure of these priests, and reduced numbers, they lose power. However, strong matrilineal clans are still the core of the society. Intra-clan marriages are forbidden. When married, the man lives with his wife's clan.