Cherokee Wedding Ceremony
The Cherokee Wedding Ceremony

The Cherokee wedding ceremony is a very beautiful event. The original
ceremony differed from clan to clan and community to community, but basically
used the same ritual elements.

Because clanship is matrilineal in the Cherokee society, it is forbidden to
marry within one's own clan. Because the woman holds the family clan, she is
represented at the ceremoney by both her mother (or clan mother) and oldest
brother. The brother stands with her as his vow to take the responsibility of
teaching the children in spiritual and religious matters, as that is the
traditional role of the 'uncle' (e-du-ji). Meeting at the center of the
townhouse, the groom gave the bride a ham of venison and from her an ear of
corn to him, then the wedding party danced and feasted for hours on end.
Venison symbolized his intention to keep meat in the household and her corn
symbolized her willing to be a good Cherokee housewife. The groom is
accompanied by his mother.

After the sacred spot for the ceremoney has been blessed for seven
consecituve days, it is time for the ceremony. The bride and groom approach
the sacred fire, and are blessed by the priest and/or priestess. All
participants of the wedding, including guests are also blessed. Songs are
sung in Cherokee, and those conducting the ceremony bless the couple. Both
the Bride and Groom are covered in a blue blanket. At the right point of the
ceremony, the priest or priestess removes each blue blanket, and covers the
couple together with one white blanket, indicating the beginning of their new
life together.

Instead of exchanging rings, in the old times the couple exchanged food. The
groom brought ham of venison, or some other meat, to indicate his intention
to provide for the household. The bride provided corn, or beanbread to
symbolize her willingness to care for and provide nourishment for her
household. This is interesting when noting that when a baby is born, the
traditional question is, "Is it a bow, or a sifter?" Even at birth, the male
is associated with hunting and providing, and the female with nourishing and
giving life. The gifts of meat and corn also honor the fact that
traditionally, Cherokee men hunted for the household, while women tended the
farms. It also reflects the roles of Kanati (first man) and Selu (first
woman).

The couple drink together from a Cherokee Wedding Vase. The vessell holds one
drink, but has two openings for the couple to drink from at the same time.
Following the ceremony, the town, community or clans provide a wedding feast,
and the dancing and celebrating can go on all night.

Today, some Cherokee traditionalists still observe these wedding rituals.
There are also many variations on the ceremony. Dress is usually in a
Cherokee Tear Dress and Ribbon Shirt.

Cherokee Nation has a marriage law, and Cherokee couples are allowed to marry
under this law instead of the State marriage laws. This is because Cherokee
Nation is a sovereign government. The couple is not required to obtain a
license; however, the person(s) conducting the ceremony must be licensed by
the Cherokee Nation in order to do so. After the religious leader contacts
the Cherokee Nation District Court, the court clerk will prepare a
certificate. This paper shows that the couple were indeed married in a
ceremony by a religious or spiritual leader licensed to do so. The
certificate is returned to the District Court after all parties have signed
it, and filed in the official records.

Info provided by the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center. For
information regarding culture and language, please contact:

[email protected]

http://www.cherokee.org/Culture/CulturePage.asp?ID=45