The 7 Sacred Familial Clans




At one time, among the Tsalagi (Cherokee) there existed 14 clans or families, and eventually 7 were swallowed up by the 7 existing clans.

The Priestly Clan was destroyed for reasons that are not discussed openly.

The Cherokee people lived in these groups of family members.

A person belongs to the clan of their mother, and her mother, and her mother, etc. It is a matrilineal clan system.

Names of the clans vary in history. And some of the Cherokee words do not have a precise English translation.

When someone in a clan went hunting, they shared their catch with their clan.

A person could not marry someone in his or her clan.

After marriage, a man usually lived with his wife's clan.

When a child was born, it was part of their mother's clan (that did not mean the child's father did not love their son or daughter).


These Clans are:


AniSahoni (Blue Clan)

Those belonging to this clan were keepers of all childrens medicines and caretakers of medicinal herb gardens. They became known for a medicine from a bluish colored plant called a blue holly, and were so named after it. This Clan has also been known as the Panther or Wild Cat Clan, in some regions. Their color is Blue and their wood is Ash.


AniGilohi (Twister Clan)

The Twister Clan are also known as Long Hair (AniGilahi) , Hanging Down Clan or Wind Clan. Gilahi is short for an ancient Gitlvgvnahita, the warrior womens society, meaning something that grows from the back of the neck". Those belonging to this Clan wore their hair in elaborate hairdos, walked in a proud and vain manner twisting their shoulders. Peace chiefs usually came from this clan at one time in our history and wore a white feather robe. The Clan color for the AniGilohi is Yellow and their wood is Beech.


AniTsiskwa (Bird Clan)

Those belonging to this Clan were the keepers of the birds, sacred feathers and bird medicines. They were messengers and were very skilled in using blowguns and snares for bird hunting. Their color is Purple, and their wood is Maple.


AniWodi (Paint Clan)

Those belonging to this Clan made red paint. Dida:hnvwi:sgi (healers / sorcerers or medicine men) and Adawehi (wisemen) traditionally came from this clan at one time in our history. The Clan Color for the Ani Wodi is White and their wood is Locust.


AniKawi (Deer Clan)

Those belonging to this Clan were the keepers of the deer, deer hunters and trackers, tanners and seamers, as well as keepers of the deer medicines. They were known to be fast runners and foot messengers. The Clan Color for the Ani Kawi is Brown and their wood is Oak.


AniGatogewi (Wild Potato Clan)

Were known to be farmers and gatherers of the wild potato plants in swamps (hence the name gatogewi = "swamp"), along streams, and swamps to make flour or bread for food, and were so named after them. The Wild Potato Clan have also been known as the Bear Clan, Raccoon Clan and even "Blind Savannah" in different regions.

AniGatogewi (AniKituwa, AniGiduhwa, or Keetoowah People, also associated with AniTsa-gu-hi, or Bear Clan)

The Clan color for the AniGatogewi is Green and their wood is Birch.


AniWahya (Wolf Clan)

The Wolf Clan is the largest clan today and the most prominent clan, providing most of the war chiefs in our history. The wolf clan are keepers and trackers of the wolf and the only clan who could kill a wolf through special ceremonies and wolf medicines. The Clan color of the AniWaya is Red and their wood is Hickory.


THE CLANS ARE FORMED



The Cherokee nation grew in numbers. The problems of teaching the people the laws and customs given them by the Anidawehi grew more difficult. The Anidawehi decided the best way to control such large numbers of people was to form them into clans, each clan being controlled bt elected women,and by elders of both men and women. Women were given such high responsibilites because it was they who remained at home with their babies and saw to the continunity of the family and clan.

Because of this special relationship of women with the family and the town,all property belonged to the women and her children belonged to her clan.for only a mother is known for sure. It was the women who inherited field rights as handed down from mother to daughter.

Each Clan was responsible for judging and execution of punishment of any social wrong done against a clan members,whether that wrong was done by a clan member or a member of another clan. But the clan did not and could not make the laws or social customs.

All laws and customs were either made by the Anidawehi,the people,or envolved out of ancient acceptance. All laws of a religious nature were handled by the Anidawehi, and Cherokee's believed religion was part of every day living. All men and women of adult age voted on how to run their town.

In the beginning,it was said that there were fourteen clans. But some clans would not obey the laws and customs of the people. These clans were considered heathens and were driven out of the nation. The expelled clans formed the tribes now called the Erie,Mohawk,Onodaga,Cayuga,Seneca and Oneida. These people were cousins of the Cherokee,who as a group are called Iroquios spoke a language kin to the Cherokee's,called Irquvian.

One of the clans did not form into one of the tribes,but vanished completely. This was the Ani-Tsaguh (People who-disappeared), which many believe became the bears.

Two other lost tribes,the Susquehanna and Tuscarora,became members of the Iroquois.

The Iroquois moved north into the cold country and to the great lakes of the north.

The seven clans that remained became known as Ugaya (Seven clan Society.)


There are now 14 Iroquoian speaking tribes:

Neutrals,
Petun,
Erie,
Wenro,
Huron,
Susquehannock,
Mohawk,
Oneida,
Onondaga,
Cayuga,
Seneca,
Tuscarora,
Meherrin,
Tsalagi.