20 Images Presents The Role of Family and Clan Systems in Cherokee History

The Cherokee have a long and rich history. Family and clan systems were of great importance in their lives. These systems provided individuals with information about their identity, their place and purpose. Families were not solely mother, father and child. Many relatives of both caregivers and care takers were also involved. The clans were an integral part of Cherokee history. This meant the children were part of the same clan as the mother’s.

Clan Systems in Cherokee

Clans helped to keep order in the Cherokee. It gave them instructions as to marriage and their duties towards their families, and towards the community. If they stemmed from a common source, then these were deemed close relationships. In this regard they are to assist and protect one another. This helped to strengthen and unite the community. The family life too played a significant role in the education of the children. They learned about respecting older people, and how one should care for others, and that one should know his or her place within the community.

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Elders were unique as they had knowledge from the past. They helped younger people to learn how to live good through their guidance. In Cherokee family and clan life women were important. Women were important in terms of their social roles, as membership of a clan was matrilineal. Mothers, grandmothers and female family members were influential to the construction of the family identity. They were also the source for the culture, language and tradition transfer. They helped to maintain the culture and heritage of the Cherokee people.

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Male participation in the family and clan was of great importance. They assisted in protecting the people, supporting families and in guiding families’ younger members. There were usually special people on their mothers’ side that helped educate kids and gave them good advice. This definitely indicated that raising children was not only a parent’s job. Clan system was another way of resolving issues. Clans were able to contribute to peace and fairness when there were conflicts. The system provided individuals an opportunity to deal with disagreements in a respectful manner.

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It helped to remind people that their actions would impact not only themselves but their family, clan and their entire community. Strong family bonds would be found among the Cherokee and when one had trouble, the others helped. The clan system was significant in maintaining connections with identity. It brought to mind their past, their principles and responsibilities to each other. Much in the Cherokee world changed over the years. Outside pressure, forced movement and new laws affected the traditional systems. But family and clan relationships were significant.

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