Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-05-10
The Green.COrn Ceremonies of the
CherOkees

cora complete account OF the ceremonies
which were once practiced by the Cherokee
Indians, In cohnexloa with their principal agri-
cultural pursuit otIalsiDg malse or Indian corn
For The great majority Of our facts we are in
deb'ed 10 Mf, Preston Skerrlli, of Tennessee.
While this is The case, however, we beg our
reader 10 understand that we shall speak of The
tribe IN question as il existed in the times of
old, when It's members were The sole proprie.
tors oi The southern Alleghanies. Let Us, then,
banish from our minds the unhappy relations
which brood over the Chefokees al The pres
eni time, and, by the aid Of our fancy, minele
with The nation as II existed when in lis pris-
line glory. 50 , rene nsz,
The SHOWS of winter have melted from the
monnan peaks, the rains arc over and gone,
The lIosls are OUT of The ground, and The voice
of The turile is heard in the land The beau
iilul valley 10 which we have journeyed is en-
,iTely surrounded with mountains. about five
miles square, walered by a. a.charming stream,
and ihhabI,ed by TWO thousand aborigines, who
are divided inio seven clans, and located IN
seven villages. The ruling men of The tribe
have slgnI6ed 10 their people that The period
for planting corn has arrived, and tha, they
must gaiher themselves together for The pur-
pose ol submitting 10 the annual ceremonies Of
publication. For doing This they have dou-
bile object they would. in the first place, ex-
punge from their bodies every vesIge of all
the cold, and diseases with which they may
have been afflicted during the pas, winter ; and
IN the second place, they would proplia.e The
/ Great Spirit, so as 10 secure his blessing upon
the crops which they are about 10 deposi,e in
the ground. The moon being now a, It's full.
aud flung location having been selected, the
chiefs and magicians cong,ega'e together, and
the preliminary measures are thus arranged
A magic circle must be made 10 keep OUT all
evil spirits and enemies and The medicine men
! then proceed 10 walk in single file, and with
measured Steps, completely around the spot
! which they would render sacred, and which is
generally half mile in diameter, marking their
route by plucklng single leaf from every Tree
or bush which they may happen to pass. all
these leaves being carefully deposited in a
pouch carried for The purpose. In the mean
Time, The brotherhood of chiefs have no, been
4 unemployed, for W hiIe The most. aged individ-
ual of all has been making collection of roots,
(! The remainder have buih a rude DAM and there
by formed pond or pool of water on The creek
| which invariably waters The sacred enclosure.
The entire population OF the valley are now
summoned 10 The outskirts of The sacred enclo-
sure, and general invitation extended TO all
TO approach and join The chiefs and magicians
in the re they aboutln perform it being
understood, however, that no man, under pen
ally of death. shall venture 10 participate who
ha, left single wrong unrevenged or commit
ted any unmanly deed, and no woman whp has
given bir,h 10 child since The preceding full
moon. In The centre Of The sacred ground, and
| n. NJ ho lorU fra ON
made, around which The multitude ale con.
grega,ed. The night is clear, and the moon
aud STARS are flooding the earth with light, An
ear, hen po, is now placed upon The fire, the
roofs gathered by The old chief, numbering sev.
en- vaueiies. are placed lherein, also the leaves
plu.ked by The magiclans, ~hen the pot is fill
led wuh wafer by seven virgins, who are
prompted 20 his honor by The appointment o.
lhe senior chief. After the contents of the po
have been thoroughly boiled. and mos, bitter
bul medicinal beverage been made, all the per
sons present are called upon 10 lake seven sips
Of he b,,er liquid, and then directed TO balhe
no less than seven times in the neighboflne
pool, The waters Of which have been rendered
sacred by the rcaulaiions of lhe priests. AL
these things being done. The multitude assem-
bic around the fire once more, and, 10 the mus
ic of strange Wild singing. they dance unit
the break Of day. and then dIsperse 10 their sew
eral homes. The friendshlp Of The Grea' Spiri
has now been secured. and therefore, as op
porruniy offers, The Indians proceed 10 ooser
,helr ground, as bes. they may, and then plan
their corn. This labor is performed chiefly by
The women. and The planled fields are consid
E cred a, undet lheir especial charge. Though
planted in ,he greatest disorder. ihey keep ihe
cornfelds entirely free OF weeds, and The sol
imned ia,elv around lhe corn in a loose condi
ZION. A every luil moon. they are commonly
apprehenslve that some calamity may befal
their crop. and, by way OF keeping The Gfea
Splrl on their side. The women have custom
oI dIsrobing themselves. al the dead hour O
night, and of walking entirely around the field
of corn.
And now that the sunshine and showers o
summer are performing their ministry Of good
In bringing the corn 10 It's wonied peIfeciion. u
nav be well 10 make The reader acquainted
with the following facts :-As the Indians pur.
ldy themselves and perform all their religious
rites only when The moon l' at It's 'ull, so DC