Traditional Cherokee Wedding Gifts
The Cherokee has long occupied North America. Their traditions and beliefs are based on the elements of nature and what they encounter in their daily lives. A traditional Cherokee wedding entails going through what has been practiced since time immemorial for the Cherokee tribe.
Cherokee wedding gifts may vary depending on what is available and who are the guests. Most couples who wish to get married in traditional Cherokee expect to receive traditional Cherokee wedding gifts but at the same time also receive more current or modern gifts from other guests. This is because some guests may not have any idea what to give them in accordance to Cherokee culture and just give what is usually given to newlyweds anywhere in the world.
Traditional Gifts
Traditionally, Cherokee wedding gifts were given just from the intermediate family and none from other members of the clan and these Cherokee wedding gifts were given to the family of the bride for the groom to find favor. The girl cannot refuse a man in whom her family finds favor in and she has to marry him after he has given her family gifts and services. Other Cherokee wedding gifts that were given were the traditional ones exchanged by both the bride and groom to symbolize their obligations to each other.
Cherokee Wedding Gifts During The Ceremony
During the wedding ceremony, both parties will give each other wedding gifts to symbolize each something. On the side of the groom, venison and a blanket are brought for the girl. The venison and blanket are presented to the girl by the groom's mother. These symbolize the young man's ability to provide food and shelter for the girl. Cherokee wedding gifts from the side of the bride to the groom consist of some corn and tanned hide or skin, held by his mother. These Cherokee wedding gifts are supposed to symbolize the food and clothing she will prepare for her husband to be.
The Cherokee wedding gifts are given to the bride and groom after the brides hands her groom a belt made by her. The acceptance of the groom symbolizes his acceptance of her as his bride. Both mothers of the people about to get married have authority over their children and can represent them in marriage.
These are the traditional Cherokee wedding gifts given by both sides of the wedding party for each other. They are symbols of the duties and obligations of the man and wife when they are married.
