Animism
One of the major characteristics of the Cherokee religious beliefs can be classified as animism. This is the belief that all living things have souls. Therefore, wild animals and plants are believed to have souls. Additionally, the Cherokee believed that natural phenomena such as lightning, fire, or thunder have souls. This majorly affected their relationship with nature.
Historians believed that this belief led to the Cherokee people protecting nature. Some Cherokee Indians were known to only pick or kill every third plant or animal of a certain species that they came across. This was in an attempt to not kill a plant or animal that may already be endangered. They believed this to be respectful to that certain species. Additionally, Cherokee Indians were known to ask for forgiveness and permission to kill a plant or animal before doing so. In some cases, the Cherokee people would even leave gifts to a plant if he/she only took a small part of the plant. These gifts could be in the form of a bead or something small. These practices were used to show their reverence for nature and all of its inhabitants.
In addition to this reverence, Cherokee Indians believed that some animals claimed an elevated status. For example, in the Cherokee creation story the owl and cougar play a huge role. In the seven days of creation, these were only two animal claimed to stay away through the seven days. The Cherokee believed that their reward was night vision and nocturnal natures. This story caused the Cherokee to regard these two animals with a deeper respect therefore, they were not commonly hunted by the Cherokee people. A few of plants that held this elevated status as well are the pine, spruce and laurel trees.
As mentioned, these beliefs spread throughout the hunting habits of the Cherokee people. Historians believe that it may have affected the relationship of the Cherokee people and settlers. The combination of animism and the belief in harmony of nature along with the duty to protect it led to the Cherokee people resenting the settlers who did not respect nature. It has been speculated to cause conflicts after European settlement.
Historians believed that this belief led to the Cherokee people protecting nature. Some Cherokee Indians were known to only pick or kill every third plant or animal of a certain species that they came across. This was in an attempt to not kill a plant or animal that may already be endangered. They believed this to be respectful to that certain species. Additionally, Cherokee Indians were known to ask for forgiveness and permission to kill a plant or animal before doing so. In some cases, the Cherokee people would even leave gifts to a plant if he/she only took a small part of the plant. These gifts could be in the form of a bead or something small. These practices were used to show their reverence for nature and all of its inhabitants.
In addition to this reverence, Cherokee Indians believed that some animals claimed an elevated status. For example, in the Cherokee creation story the owl and cougar play a huge role. In the seven days of creation, these were only two animal claimed to stay away through the seven days. The Cherokee believed that their reward was night vision and nocturnal natures. This story caused the Cherokee to regard these two animals with a deeper respect therefore, they were not commonly hunted by the Cherokee people. A few of plants that held this elevated status as well are the pine, spruce and laurel trees.
As mentioned, these beliefs spread throughout the hunting habits of the Cherokee people. Historians believe that it may have affected the relationship of the Cherokee people and settlers. The combination of animism and the belief in harmony of nature along with the duty to protect it led to the Cherokee people resenting the settlers who did not respect nature. It has been speculated to cause conflicts after European settlement.