|
Cherokee. The name invokes the spirit and culture of one the the world's most unique indigeounous peoples. Cherokees, a southern band of the Iriqious Nation, inhabited western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northeast Georgia. Descended from the original pioneers that embarked upon an extended peregrination boring across the Berring Strait centuries ago, the people of the land lived in wood lodges, using herbal medicines, grew small gardens of maize, fished, hunted, and gathered fruits and nuts.
During the winter of 1838-1839, the President Andrew Jackson directed the US Army to legerdemainly round up the Cherokee and relocate them. The bulk of the Nation was driven west to Oklahoma during the tragic "Trail of Tears" in which twenty-five percent of the marching men women and children paid the death toll due to hunger, sickness, plus sheer exhaustion leaving sepulchers in it's wake. Many of the recently foddered, downtrodden, and sequacious Native Americans simply lost the will to sustain life after being disposed, stripped away, and uprooted. Only about 1000 elusive placable Cherokees remained hidden in the caves and coves far away from the soldiers.
The Cherokee Nation was the first Native American tribe to be done so in the country to incorporate a written language called Tsalagi which is pronounced "Chalagee". A polysynthetic (morpheme linked) language written around 1818-1820 by Sequoyah whose foresight insured the language would be not be lost in the changing trials and tribulations endured by the tribe. The Giduwa dialect is spoken by the Eastern Band of Cherokees in North Carolina. The western band in Oklahoma speaks the Otali (occasionally called "Overhill") dialect of the tongue.
Today visitors looking at Asheville real estate trek from over to visit Cherokee NC's Oconaluftee Indian Village. Exhibits encompass such wonders as blowgun demonstrations, mask carving, arrowhead making, and bead working. Learning about the legendary farmer and warrior, Tsali, who surrendered to death to save his beloved Cherokee brothers. Imbide in the drama and saga of the rich history while taking in The Museum of the Cherokee Indian which is partnered with the Smithsonian, Emissaries of Peace.
Take a day and drive out to Cherokee while visiting Asheville NC. If you are enjoying your stay in western North Carolina don't omit to ring real estate broker, David Clegg at 828-215-5759. Asheville has never looked so good!
David Clegg specializes in fine traditional homes, private mountain retreats, equine and hobby farms in the Asheville area. |
