The Lone Wolf Band of Cherokee Indians
Indiana's Cherokee people.

MOONS OF THE CHEROKEE

January
Month of the Cold Moon - Unolvtani

This time of the season is for personal and ritual observance, fasting and personal purification. During this season, families prepare for the coming of the new seasons, which start in March or the Windy Moon - Anuyi Personal items and tools for planting and repaired, and new ones made. Stories and classes on about the ancestors and the family, and traditions and customs are told to the younger ones by the elders. A winter or “Cold Moon Dance” is usually held in the community, marking the end of one cycle season and welcoming the beginning of the new cycle. The Sacred and the hearth fires are extinguished new ones started by the “Priest” of certain Clans. This concedes with the first new-arrival of the morning star (The Sun’s daughter - Venus) in the east.

February
Month of the Bony Moon - Kagali

Is a traditional time of personal family feast, observing and honoring those family and friends who have passed to the other side.

A family meal is prepared, including seats for the departed ones. This is also a time for fasting and ritual observance. A community dance officiated by Didahnvwisgi, “Curer of Them” or “Doctor”, or more commonly know as “Medicine Man”. The Medicine Man performs a dance called the “Medicine Dance”.

March
Month of the Windy Moon - Anvyi

is the “First New Moon” of the seasons. Traditionally the beginning of the new planting season cycle or “Moons”. New town council fires are started. The figure that represents the First New Moon is Kanati, one of several being created by the “Apportioner” Unethlana to help him. These helpers were charged with the control of life elements of Mother Earth: air/earth/fire/water. Their domains are the sky, earth, stars and the seven levels of the universe.

April
Month of the Flower Moon - Kawoni

The first plants of the season, including the new medicine and herb plants that taught mankind how to defend against sickness and conjure begin to sprout at this time. New births for both humans and animals are customary at this time. Rivers and streams controlled by the spirit being, “Long Man” renew their lives. Ritual observances are made to “Long Man” and a customary dance called the “Knee Deep Dance” or the “Water Frog Dance of Spring”.

May
Month of the Planting Moon - Anisgiti

During this month families traditionally prepare the fields and sow them with the stored seeds from the last season. Corn, beans, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, yams and sunflowers are some food planted at this time. A traditional dance called the “Corn Dance” is preformed at this time.

June
Month of the Green Corn - Dehaluyi

This is the time for the signs of the first “corn in tassel”, and the emerging of the various plants of the fields. People traditionally began preparations for the upcoming festivals of the ensuing growing season. People of the Ani Gadugi Society, a volunteer group, traditionally began repairs on town houses, family homes and generally provide any services needed by the less fortunate, disabled, Elders and for the infirm of the villages.

July
Month of the Ripe Corn Moon - Guyequoni

This is the time when the first foods of the new planting are ready. Towns begin the cycle festivals with dances and celebrations of thanks to Mother Earth and the “Apportioner” Unethlana, are given. Traditional this is time of the “Green Corn Dance” or festival. A common reference of this moon is the “First Roasting of Ears”... sweet corn moon. The Month of the Ripe Corn Moon is the customary time for the commencement of the stick ball games traditionally called AniStuti, or “Little War”. Stick ball dances and festivals are commonly held at this time.

August
Month of the end of the Fruit Moon - Galoni

Foods of the trees and bushes are gathered at this time. The “Paint Clans” commonly begin to gather the herbs and medicines for which they were historically known. And the “Wild Potato Clans began harvesting various foods growing along the streams, marshes, lakes and ponds. Traditional Green Corn festivals are held at this time.

September
Month of the Nut Moon - Dulisdi

The corn harvest referred to as the “Ripe Corn Festival” was traditionally held in the first part of this month to acknowledge Selu the Spirit of the Corn. Selu is thought of as “First Woman”. The festival respects Mother Earth for providing all the foods during the growing season. The “Brush Feast Festival” customarily takes place during this season. All the fruits and nuts of the bushes and trees of the forest are gathered at this time. A wide variety of nuts went into the nut breads for the various festivals throughout the seasons. Hunting by the hunters of the village traditionally began at this time.

October
Month of the Harvest Moon - Duninvdi

This is the time of the traditional “Harvest Festival” Nowatequa, when the people give thanks to all the living things of the fields, Mother Earth and “Apportioner” Unethlana that has helped them live. The “Great Moon” festival was traditional at this time. Many “Tsalagi New Year” celebrations are held within the nations at this time.

November
Month of the Trading Moon - Nvdadewi

Traditionally this is the time for trading and barter for manufactured goods, produce and hunting supplies among the different towns and tribes. The People traded with nearby tribes as well as distant tribes, including those of Canada, Middle America and South America. Also the customary “Friendship Festival”, Adohuna (new friends made), was held at this time. This was also the time when all transgressions were forgiven. The festival also recalls a time before “world selfishness and greed”. This was a time when the needy among the towns were gifted whatever they needed to help them through the coming winter.

December
Month of the Snow Moon - Vsgiyi

The spirit being, “Snow Man”, brings the snow and cold to cover Mother Earth while she rests and waits for the rebirth of the seasons. Families traditionally were busy putting up and storing goods for the next cycle of seasons. Elders enjoyed teaching and retelling ancient stories to the young.

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