Cherokee Marriage Ceremony

There are not original or principle ceremony since it all differs depending on the what clans and from community to community. In general, all ceremonies use the same principles. This marriage ceremony is only for a monogamous union and any polygamous relations are forbidden. It was possible for betrothal to happen when a girl had not yet reached her change of pubescent to later be married and was considered a marriage contract and if not followed, there would be great consequences. A last type of proposal or demand in marriage was a purchase contract. This is where the suitor either devoted his services for a period of time to the parents of the maiden he wished to marry, he would offer to hunt for them or even assisting to make canoes, or
The clanship is matrilineal in the Cherokee society, which means it is forbidden to marry within one’s own clan and not only that but since the woman is the one who holds the clan of the family, she is to be represented at the ceremony by both her mother (or even by the clan mother, depending on circumstances) and oldest brother in the family. It happens like this because the brother is taking his vow to take the responsibility the future children, with spiritual and religious matters, since it is the traditional role of the “uncle” (e-du-tsi). And as for the husband, the groom is accompanied by his
One of the traditions that is followed is of the giving of gifts such as meat or animal skins/furs, and corn which in turn honors the fact that traditionally, the Cherokee men hunted for the household (they give the meat), while the women took care the farming (they give the corn). Also it is a sort of dowry towards the husband and wife. During the ceremony all the songs presented in the ceremony are to be sung in the Cherokee language. And at the same moment those who are conducting the ceremony will bless the couple and All the participants of the wedding (guests). Later on both the bride and the groom will be covered in a blue blanket and after a white blanket.

A tradition which is followed is that no co-habitation or any conjugal unions are to be made and in this, the bride must be a virgin to take a hand in marriage. Another tradition being that divorce and adultery were seen as a disgrace to the family, and the only reason for remarriage was for levirate obligation to