The Cherokee: A Proud People
            
             The Cherokee Indians are of the Iroquoian linguistic family. Their economy, like that of most of the other southeastern tribes, was based on intensive agriculture, mainly of corn, beans, and squash while the typical hunted animals were deer, bear, and wild turkey. Corn was so important to them they had a ceremony when the corn began to get ripe in hopes that the corn would continue to grow well. The tribe itself was divided into seven matrilineal clans that were dispersed in war and peace moieties (also known as half-tribes). The people lived in numerous permanent villages, some which belonged to the war moiety, some part of the peace moiety. The Cherokee lived in towns of 30 to 60 houses and a large council house. The houses in the towns, however, were not very large, being only one, two, or three room homes. Most of the residences were one story high as well, but a two-story house was not uncommon (Perdue).
             The most used weapon for the Cherokees was the bow and arrow with the stone ax and club coming in second place. Male tribal members who did not hold special rank wore belted skin robes made from the hides of bear, deer, otter, beaver, and mountain lion. In the winter months, these men also wore moccasins made of beaver skins. The women wore short, sleeveless deerskin dresses, which were sewn together with fishbone needles. Often times, the women also wore deerskin moccasins that were like half boots (Perdue).
             While most sicknesses could be cured by one of the tribal members, any mysterious diseases in the tribe were often times blamed on a human or animal spirits. Also, most items in a Cherokee town were based on colors, where each color stood for an idea. Red was generally for bravery while black was for death and blue for failure.
             In 1820 the Cherokee established a governmental system extremely similar to that of the United States, with an elected principal chief, a house of representatives,...