North Carolina Native Americans

• 28 tribes existed in NC

• 3 largest were Tuscarora, Catawba, and Cherokee

• Many different languages and dialects

• Tribes often learned neighbor’s language, sign language, or Mobilian- Choctaw trading language

The Family and Government• Many tribes had mother centered clans– people related

by blood• Children raised by mother’s brother (uncle)• Girls married after puberty, men older• Divorces allowed only if both agreed• Villages ruled by chief and council of elders• People could not own the land

Food & Clothing

• Hunted deer, rabbit, squirrel, bear, birds• Fished with hook/line, nets, spears• Farmed corn, squash, pumpkins, beans• Wore tanned deerskins, moccasins, leggings, fur

coats

NA Beliefs• All NA’s had some common beliefs:

– Many gods and spirits– Had to cleanse/purify their spirits for wrongs done– Afterlife where you are rewarded or punished

NC Beliefs (Mostly Cherokee)

• This World– Earth is island hung

from sky by 4 cords– Cords represent

directions– East- red, life, success– West- black, death– North- blue, cold,

trouble– South- white, warmth,

peace, happiness

• Upper World- order, cleaner and purer, home of the gods

• Under World- below waters, disorder, monsters, witches, enter with spirit guide

• Gods and Spirits– Sun God- power of day/night, life,

grandmother– Moon God- rain, fertility, Sun God

brother– Kanati (Red Man)- voice of thunder,

storms, – Long Man- water, rivers

NC Animal Beliefs• Prayed for forgiveness when killing• Rattlesnake– once a man, used meat, skin,

teeth/bones• Owl– believed it was a witch• Bear– did not pray for, men who failed to avenge

wrongs done to their people