Cherokee marriage Traditions
Traditions are unique and vary for each Native American tribe. The Cherokee Indians have carried their unique marriage customs for centuries with only minor changes between past and present. Each original ceremony is special and differs for each person, for each clan.
ceremonyIn each marriage ceremony, the man and woman exchange gifts to symbolize their marriage. Each family presents the other with corn and venison, symbolizing each-others ability to provide for the other. Instead of exchanging rings to finalize the marriage, the bride and groom exchange food. A vase with two spouts, connected at the top, was also presented to symbolize two different lives coming together in marriage.
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significance in the law
As a sovereign government with its own laws, courts and Constitution, the Cherokee Nation has a marriage law, and Cherokee Nation citizens are allowed to marry under this law instead of the State marriage laws.The couple is not required to obtain a license; however, the person(s) conducting the ceremony must be licensed by the Cherokee Nation in order to do so.
In ancient times, divorce was common and the dissolution of a marriage was informal. If a man wanted to end the marriage, all he had to do was gather his belongings and move out. If a woman wished to get out of the marriage, she placed her husband's belongings outside the door to signal the end of their relationship.
In the present day, divorce laws vary by state and clan. One must be aware that even if you are married under Cherokee Nation law, certain conditions may require that a divorce be handled through the state court system.
In ancient times, divorce was common and the dissolution of a marriage was informal. If a man wanted to end the marriage, all he had to do was gather his belongings and move out. If a woman wished to get out of the marriage, she placed her husband's belongings outside the door to signal the end of their relationship.
In the present day, divorce laws vary by state and clan. One must be aware that even if you are married under Cherokee Nation law, certain conditions may require that a divorce be handled through the state court system.
Please visit the site below for information about marriage via the Cherokee Nation's law, eligibility and other important details. |
PRESERVING CULTURE
Today, some Cherokee traditionalists still carry out portions of these wedding rituals. The vows of today's ceremony reflect the Cherokee culture and belief system, but are very similar in other ways to wedding ceremonies of other cultures around them. Today's Cherokee brides can be married in a tear dress (the traditional Cherokee wedding dress), a modern wedding gown, or normal attire worn at a Ceremonial Ground. What they wear depend on how traditional they are and where the ceremony is taking place. Grooms may wear a ribbon shirt all the way up to a formal tux.