Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-10-18
THE CHEROK EES.
DOMESTIC LIFE AMONG CIVIL
IZED INDIAN NATION.
fhcir Religious O6servanccs-Supc
stitiOns Dying Out-Cncrokcc Hos
Eitaii,y-TiieirS Social Pleasures
Fashionable Indian Weddings.

Tho Cacroi;ees are all Pro:estants,
being Bap:is,s, Prcsby;eri;ns. Mora
vians anG Mcthodists. with T. few Con-
sregaiionaiists. As yet Cherokee churches
are hardly sclf-sipporting, and there is u
tendency 10 rely on outside nelp.
There are many of the old Cherokee
women who date their first religious i'm
pressionS back to the old Cherokee MI
ton, where the carly missionaries labored.
Due preparation is always made for
their annUal religious assemblies, which,
usually take place in the fall From
early times the full-blood's ceremonies
and dances began at this time o! the
year. Early in the spring." said our
friend, "thc Indians assemble to-
sether in the vicinity of their
religious camping ground, and
plant what they call Gods acre. All
through the spring they carefully watch
this crop, tending it better than their
own, so that when the annual assembling
OF the people comes there may be enough
food for all. When the feast opens lon~
tables are set up, upon which abundant
food is placed. No one is sighted, none
are over looked. Baptist, Moravian,
Presbyterian, or Nottingham, it is the
same. Drive there on horseback. and nm
Indian ruslicS toward you, and demands
your horse. Leave it in his care and Won
need never think OF il again, until after
the religious service, even should il con-
tiruc week. 1t will be cared for, and
at your request will again be placed Mt
your disposal. Standing outside, You
watch the meeting go on with increasing
interest. You are urged to the table to
cat oI the good cheer, for the food that
grows on Gods acre is free to NIL Thc
corn IS cut aud brought in loads, and laid
before the horses of the hundred guests;
the vegetables are harvested hy the men.
ana the women cook them fur the tabcs.
Orc after another of the FULL blood preach
crs take the stand and address the multi
iudc, often several hours being occupied
in The servicc.n
The same hospitality for which MI In
diaiS we're noted continues to this Gav
among the Chcrokees. 1t was an old Gus
tom tor the Indian hos; 20 ilacc his cues;
At the table and himself remain AWAY
while the guest partoo,l or his abundant
meal. was invited oui to parialie of nm
lno"an Tea white was in the Nation.
Tie house WIS built OF logs and Wa one
of the oldest i'll the village The parlor,
for ii might well he called orc, was p.ct
lily furnished. The Ec;yn log walls had
been oTcrhung with paper. = good rag
carisc. was on the floor and II cn,inc.
organ occupied corner of the room.
hefe was beu with the whitest O! Gov
cFihss, ana sewing machine sat 10y
,'pie on |hich there was ~ array OF al
Dams nm" articles Of oTn0mcntation. \
nae OF ionr-ioo; loSs. burning in the fire
fi'cc' gave cheerful appearance to The
room. Like many houses III thc Chero-
Zee Nation, IN orIer tq get 10 IN adjoin-
lhS room ii wa: necessary 10 90 outside
20 90 So Cur hostess invited rs 10 the
'a'ie' winch was "hm's"mtly spread.
fSSsS, sausage, PORK, aliu bcrisIeak are
me Cherokee b.ll OF iare. Corn cake,
biscuit, bread pumn;in sance, VIII! pie
ana VaTicus kinds OF cake, are Usually
On tAe tapie You are sure
oi good cup oi coffee
Our hostess, ne daughter OF tic family.
showed Us "Hf S""!s At the table. The
''l'" o. '.le mouse cum not INTO The house
~ All. Inc cider lady took !cr seat in
ne ccEner OF the room and carried on Il
!Fe'y conversation, aud the hostess, hav-
ing poaEed the coi.9e and passed the /,
i""d. to"A seat b.i'Ind my friend and |
myself, and none ot tie family came 10 |
me iaoic wn!lc we were eating. Bu; the
!ea party was pleasant one, and when !
IL was over once more myself and my !
ir.cnd adjourned to the pai.or, while !
lac lamiiy a;c their own supper. Then !
one after another o. the iainily came in,
Lac pipes were lighted, and story and |
muse occupied the hour.
me ie!1cities g! social life among the !
Chcr"kceS are much the same as in the |
States: Inc social party presents the same
features. The surprise party is |
arrays popular Or any evening the |
happy proprietor OF commodious res: !
iehce IN the village is liable 10 be visited !
ny Il large company OF young men and
'a'l's, VINO give him & surprise party.
lnonS.l the honr may he late, and tie
host he even ON the point of re-
llrlnU Tor TIC nlgilt nc Marty il made ,-ot