Attractions

Most visitors to Cherokee, North Carolina stop in this tiny mountain town on their way into or out of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They drive down the main street, past tacky souvenier shops bursting with Made-in-Taiwan Indian souvenirs and teepee-shaped hotel marquees blinking neon messages. Even though the town is the administrative center for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Nation, at first blush it appears to offer little in the way of Cherokee history or culture, and the inclination is to pass right on through. But don’t. Instead, turn at the Cherokee Museum and drive to the top of hill to Oconaluftee Indian Village, where an authentic Cherokee experience awaits.

Town of Cherokee, North Carolina, touts its Native American roots with phone teepees and imported souvenirs

The Cherokees in Western North Carolina today descend from those who those who hid in the hills, defying removal during the infamous Trail of Tears mandated by President Andrew Jackson, and others who later returned. Gradually they created a sovereign nation of 100 square miles and, in 1948, established the Cherokee Historical Association to carry out their mission of preserving the history and culture of the Cherokee People. Oconaluftee Indian Village and its sister operation, the Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama are central to those efforts.

Typical Cherokee home circa 1759

Throughout the day at Oconaluftee, presentations teach visitors about Cherokee culture and history and dispel some of the more common misconceptions about the tribe. The first surprise for most is the absence of teepees in the village. Cherokee lived in structures initially constructed of wattle and daub spread over a framework of tree limbs, and later in cabins of notched logs with a mixture of mud, straw and animal hair filling the chinks between logs. These sturdy homes always surrounded a central Main Lodge, designed with seven sides to provide separate seating for members of the seven different clans.

Authentic reproduction of a sweat lodge, where religious and spiritual ceremonies were conducted

The tribe began each day in the Main Lodge, discussing issues facing the community and assigning daily duties. Each clan was responsible for distinct tasks: members of Deer clan were relay messengers, Wild Potato clan members oversaw crops and planting, Paint clan was in charge of producing paint for war and dances, Bird clan collected eagle feathers for decoration and ceremonies, Blue clan members were doctors and were responsible for the well-being of children, a Wolf clan member was chief during war time, and Long Hair clan provided the chief during peace time. Cherokee lived a pastoral life, hunting for game and farming the surrounding land, taking care to rotate crops and let fields lie fallow when crops showed signs that the soil was becoming depleted.

Authentic Cherokee war dance is performed several times each day in the sacred squre

In addition to the static displays and educational presentations, authentic war dances and reenactments of the Cherokee’s battle with British troops are conducted in a sacred square several times each day. Around the outer perimeter of the village, Indian artisans demonstrate traditional crafts of bow and arrow making, basketry, weaving, beading, carving, and dugout canoe construction. Unlike the crassly commercial town of Cherokee, Oconaluftee Indian Village is a well-done educational attraction that is enjoyable for the entire family.

Photo by Barbara Weibel

Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels