~A Traditional Cherokee Wedding~
The groom enters one end of the council
house and the bride the other.
The couple then meets in the center
by the sacred fire.
The priest faces east as does the door
of the council house.
The groom's mother stands by him and
the bride's mother beside her.
She holds the bride's gifts of corn bread
and a blanket.
The bride's brother stands beside their
mother symbolizing his responsibility to
his sister and her children.
The bride and groom wear blue blankets
representing their old ways and life.
The priest blesses the fire and the
union of the two.
He asks for a long and happy life
for them.
It is custom for the bride to give the
groom a red and black belt she has made,
but any gift of the heart will do.
The mothers give gifts to their children
who exchange gifts with each other.
They join together their blankets
symbolizing their mutual support
within the marriage.
Then each drink a corn drink from a
double-sided wedding vase.
They drink from east to west then
from north to south giving their
blessings and respect to the earth
and all her creatures.
The vase is thrown down upon the earth
and broken to seal their wedding vows
of now being united as one.
The broken fragments are then returned
to Mother Earth.
A white blanket is placed around the
shoulders of the couple symbolizing
their union.
The bride then holds the basket of bread,
the groom the basket of meat and those
in attendance take a piece of bread and
meat as a sign of their approval.
Following this, a feast is held for
the entire gathering. |
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