Overview
The Cherokee tribe was and is a tribe in southeastern part of the United Stated by Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. There are still Cherokee people today and it's the largest federally recognized tribe. The Cherokee religion is a Monotheistic form of Animism. They believe in the Great Spirit and worship. However, in many myths and stories they recognize plants and animals as having spirits and conscious. They believe in ghosts and the "Little People" that look like people but small. The Little People are said to confuse anyone that finds them, so Cherokee people would not look for them. Traditional Cherokee people believed in medicine men or women. They were said to be able to heal people and were much like shamans in other religions. In rituals and in everyday life there are many important numbers like 4 and 7. Four represented things people were familiar with while included the 4 directions. Seven was a very holy number and also was connected to the direction. In addition to the 4 main directions (North, East, South, and West) there was also the Upper World, the Lower World, and the Center (were humans live).
Cosmogony
Cherokee, like other early religions, has many creation stories. One is that the Great Spirit created the world in 7 days, much like the creation myth of the Abrahamic religions. The Great Spirit commanded the animals and plants to stay awake for all seven days, but most did not. The only one to remain awake were the owl, coyote, panther, and other unnamed animals. As a reward, they received night vision. The only plants to remain awake was the cedar, pine, holly, and some other unnamed trees. They receive the gift of staying green all year long.
Another story is that the Water Beetle came down to the earth. The earth was covered in water and was hanging by the 4 cardinal directions. The Water Beetle tried to walk, but couldn't on the water so it dived underwater and brought up soft mud. After some time, the Water Beetle sent the Buzzard to check if the mud was dried. Buzzard got tired as he swooped over the mud and let his wings droop down into the still soft mud. This created the mountains and valleys.
Another story is that the Water Beetle came down to the earth. The earth was covered in water and was hanging by the 4 cardinal directions. The Water Beetle tried to walk, but couldn't on the water so it dived underwater and brought up soft mud. After some time, the Water Beetle sent the Buzzard to check if the mud was dried. Buzzard got tired as he swooped over the mud and let his wings droop down into the still soft mud. This created the mountains and valleys.
Some helpful URLs
http://www.cherokee.org
http://www.cherokee.org/About-The-Nation/Culture/General/The-Traditional-Belief-System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherokee_mythology
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-twoworlds/1839
http://www.cherokee.org/About-The-Nation/Culture/General/The-Traditional-Belief-System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherokee_mythology
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-twoworlds/1839