Equality for Women
As mentioned in the Clans page, this society was matrilineal. This means that the mother of the child determined his/her clan. This was a huge contrast to many societies during this time period. It shows that Cherokee women were respected and active. Whereas this was not the case in other societies.
There were many ways that the Cherokee women participated in the Cherokee society. One of the biggest roles that women in this culture had that women of others did not was political participation. Prior to European influence, the Cherokee Indians held meetings in a building called a council house which was present in every village. In order to make decisions, everyone would meet to discuss the matter at hand. Women were welcomed at this meeting and their voices were heard. It could be argued that their participation in these meetings were equivalent to the right to vote in later societies. In that case, the Cherokee society preceded other societies by centuries in terms of women's rights.
In addition to a voice in community decisions, women were the ones to own land in the Cherokee society. While the men may build the houses, they ultimately belonged to the women. Historians believe that this was due to the belief that women were closer to nature than men. In the Cherokee society, daughters would inherit the land of their mothers. This was in order to keep the land in the hands of women.
Finally, the third major difference between the Cherokee society and other societies of the time concerning equality for women is that they provided for the home. It was the role of the Cherokee men to hunt for the family. This could take them away from their homes for long periods of time. Therefore, the Cherokee women were left alone to take care and provide for their families. This was also true of times of war. The Cherokee women would garden, hunt small game, harvest and cook for their families during these times. They would provide all of the food for their family. This was in much contrast to women of European societies.
As shown through these three characteristics of women involvement in the Cherokee society, they were much more active than women of other societies. It can be said that the culture of Cherokee Indians relied upon their women as well as their men. All three of these characteristics were centuries ahead of other societies in terms of equality for women.
There were many ways that the Cherokee women participated in the Cherokee society. One of the biggest roles that women in this culture had that women of others did not was political participation. Prior to European influence, the Cherokee Indians held meetings in a building called a council house which was present in every village. In order to make decisions, everyone would meet to discuss the matter at hand. Women were welcomed at this meeting and their voices were heard. It could be argued that their participation in these meetings were equivalent to the right to vote in later societies. In that case, the Cherokee society preceded other societies by centuries in terms of women's rights.
In addition to a voice in community decisions, women were the ones to own land in the Cherokee society. While the men may build the houses, they ultimately belonged to the women. Historians believe that this was due to the belief that women were closer to nature than men. In the Cherokee society, daughters would inherit the land of their mothers. This was in order to keep the land in the hands of women.
Finally, the third major difference between the Cherokee society and other societies of the time concerning equality for women is that they provided for the home. It was the role of the Cherokee men to hunt for the family. This could take them away from their homes for long periods of time. Therefore, the Cherokee women were left alone to take care and provide for their families. This was also true of times of war. The Cherokee women would garden, hunt small game, harvest and cook for their families during these times. They would provide all of the food for their family. This was in much contrast to women of European societies.
As shown through these three characteristics of women involvement in the Cherokee society, they were much more active than women of other societies. It can be said that the culture of Cherokee Indians relied upon their women as well as their men. All three of these characteristics were centuries ahead of other societies in terms of equality for women.