Native Music of the Cherokee

Facts:

I've chosen to do this Assignment on the Native Music of the Cherokeee Indians. I'm focusing on the Indians in the Appalachian Mountains. There are 200 tribes stretching out over the Appalachian Trail. Cherokee Indian Religion believe that there were certain beings who came down from the skies formed the world, the moon and the stars. The Cherokees believed in an after life and those who had behaved in a "good" manner went toa place that was light and pleasant. Those who had behaved poorly would be sent to a bad place and face torture. ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏬᏂᎯᏍᏗ Tsalagi Gawonihisdi is the Iroquoian language they speak.

The Instruments:

The Cherokee Indians have been influenced by many cultures with their music. They have many instruments that they like to play. Flutes, drums, and rattles are the main instruments the Indians used long ago in ancient times. Now their instruments also include the fiddle, percussion, guitar, mandolin, and more. Cherokee Indians have evolved over time and now play all types of muisc including blue grass, rock and roll, and Traditional Native American. In the Native American history music is considered sacred and used for healing. They also use music for building community conncections so, communities will get together and join in music and have a common ground to build a friendship on. Alot of the musical traditions are passed down generation to generation.

Vocals in Traditonal Music of the Cherokee:

A lot of the lyrics and vocals in their songs include story telling and chants. The voices and instruments combined make a rythm and beat that is perfect for their ritual dances. herokee Indians sing traditional tribal songs to ask for healing or a plentiful harvest, invoke the power of nature and spirits, and to show gratitude to the Earth.

The Cherokee use music for ceremonisl purposes:

The music of the Cherokee Indians have been using song and dance for religious and ceremonial traditions. Cherokee instruments were often used for sacred purposes and rituals. Pipes, flutes, drums, rattles, and whistles all had spiritual significance. Instruments were always made from natural elements for these ceremonies. Many Tribes put their prayers to music.

Here is a video of a Cherokee Indian in the Applachian mountains playing 3 traditional Cherokee songs.

These songs are powerful and good medicine , always exerting a healing and medicinal spirit when sung in a good way

He sings the "Cherokee Water Song" first which is for blessing and thanking for creating the water. He is using a cedar flute in this video.

Second song is "Cherokee Morning Song" You sing this song in the morning to start your day off in a spiritual way with gratitutude. He again used the cedar flute with this song.

The last song he sings is the "Cherokee Welcome Song" It is for welcoming guests into your home and camp.

Is there Native Cherokee music still being played and used today?

As I was researching this I came across "Annual Native American Music Awards". Today there are people in this area still making music and it's so popular that they have music awards for it.{ http://www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com } here is the link if anyone wants to check it out!

One reason why I picked this for my topic was East Tennessee, the mountains are a special place to me. I have lived in Tennessee my whole life and my family regularly vacations in The Smoky Mountains. I have always been so intrigued by Cherokee Indians around the mountains there and researching this just makes me want to learn more. I live that their music is so peaceful and spiritual.