"On Tuesday evening we fell in with a detachment of poor Cherokee Indians...
Multitudes go on foot...Even aged Females apparently nearly ready to drop into the grave...Were traveling with heavy burdens attached to the back...On the sometimes frozen ground and sometimes muddy streets...with no covering for their feet except that what Nature had given them..." -The suffering Exiles: A Traveler's View of one of the Last Emigrant Parties. By a Native of Maine, Traveling in the Western Country, which was posted in the New York Observer, January 26, 1839



Cherokee people called themselves ANI YUNWIYA
Which means: "Principle People" CHEROKEE, means "People who use another language"
The most familiar name, Cherokee, comes from a Creek word "Chelokee" meaning "people of a different speech."
In their own language the Cherokee originally called themselves the Aniyunwiya (or Anniyaya) "principal people" or the Keetoowah (or Anikituaghi, Anikituhwagi) "people of Kituhwa." Although they usually accept being called Cherokee, many prefer Tsalagi from their own name for the Cherokee Nation (Tsalagihi Ayili). Other names applied to the Cherokee have been: Allegheny (or Allegewi, Talligewi) (Delaware), Baniatho (Arapaho), Ca?xi (or Cayaki) (Osage and Kansa), Chalaque (Spanish), Chilukki (dog people) (Choctaw and Chickasaw), Entarironnen (mountain people) (Huron), Gatohu? (Creek), Kittuwa (or Katow?) (Algonquin), Matera (or Manteran) (coming out of the ground) ( Catawba), Nation du Chien (French), Ochietarironnon (Wyandot), Oyatageronon (or Oyaudah, Uwatayoronon) (cave people) (Iroquois), Shanaki (Caddo), Shannakiak (Fox), Tcaike (Tonkawa), and Tcerokieco (Wichita).





Aniwayha (Wolf Clan) The Wolf Clan is the largest and most prominent Clan, providing most of the War Chiefs. the Wolf Clan are keepers of the Wolf and the only clan that can kill a Wolf. Anisahoni (Blue Clan) The Blue or Panther Clan made blue medicine from a special blue plant to keep our children well. they were also known as the Wildcat Clan. the Clan color for the Anisahoni is blue. Anigilohi (Long Hair Clan) The Long Hair Clan are also Known as the Twister Clan, Hair Hanging Down or Wind Clan. those belonging to this Clan wore their hair in elaborate hairdos,walked in a proud and vain manner Twisting their shoulders . piece Chiefs are usually from this Clan and wore a white feather robe. Anitsisqua (Bird Clan) the Bird Clans are the keeper of the birds and they are our messengers. this Clan was skilled in using blowguns and snares for bird hunting. Aniwodi (Paint Clan) The Paint Clan made red paint and were socerers and medicine men. Aniawi (Deer Clan) The Deer Clan are the keepers and hunters of the Deer, and they are fast runners. Anigatogeioi (Wild Potato Clan) Racoon Clan, or Blind Savannah Clan. They were know to gather the wild potato plants in swamps along the streams to make flour or bread for food.





BACK

---