In the summer, some Cherokees lived in a different form of dwelling than in the winter. Summer dwellings were square or rectangular in form. The structure was made out of upright poles. The outside was finished with earth and clay-coated bark, wood, or woven siding. Inside, the floor was usually made of wooden boards that could be put together easily when needed.
In the winter, they used a technique called "log building." First, the ground is cleared away around a large tree. The loggers cut the tree down, strip off its branches, and drag it to the site where it will become the house. They then build a fire on the ground and burn the trunk until it's about half as big around as they want their house to be. They stop burning it then take it into the forest and break up each piece into lengths between 40 and 60 inches. These are the logs that will make up the walls of the house. They use them instead of bricks or stones because they're easier to find in the forest.
They also use pine trees for their houses. But first, the loggers cut down as many old growth pines as they can find. Then they bring them to the house site and split them with axes and knives into pieces about 2 feet long. Finally, they weave the splintered ends together with vines and plants to make a tight mesh wall.
Cherokee Indian buildings were built with plaster and river cane, and they had thatched roofs. To keep warm during the winter, the Cherokee lived in tiny dwellings made of mud and clay. They also used smoke holes in the roof of their homes to release steam so it could escape.
Women played an important role in Cherokee society. They managed the household and took care of the children. The men went hunting or fought wars; they didn't do housework. In fact, the women were not allowed to touch anything masculine such as weapons or tools. Instead, they worked on domestic duties all day while listening to music and telling stories together at night.
The Cherokee lived in large groups called "tahsals", which included hundreds of people. Each tahal had its own government made up of chiefs and elders who decided what role everyone would play within the community. There were four classes within the tahal system: warriors, hunters, farmers, and artists. Everyone had a job to do, and no one was better than another; it was only natural that there would be conflict between people who wanted to lead versus those who wanted to follow.
The Cherokee had many traditions that were important to them. One of these traditions was the belief that the first person you meet when you arrive at this world is your guardian angel.
The Cherokee lived in houses made of wattle and daub. The walls of these dwellings were filled with mud and grass after they were framed with tree timbers. Thatch or bark was used to make the roofing. The Cherokee built their homes near large trees with thick trunks for support. These trees provided shade from the heat of the sun and helped keep the home cool during warm weather.
Women played an important role in building homes. They collected wood for fuel and materials. They also harvested corn, beans, and potatoes, which were eaten by everyone living in the village. The men hunted and fished to provide food for their families and anyone else who needed it. In addition, some women worked at jobs such as weaving cloth and making clothes.
Men also worked hard to provide for their families. They hunted bear, deer, turkeys, and other animals for food and fur clothing material. They also gathered wild fruits and nuts. Some men also sold fish and game they had captured during hunting trips.
In order to protect themselves from bad things happening to them or their loved ones, the Cherokee made charms and medicine bags. Charms were used for good luck in certain situations while medicine bags contained objects such as teeth or bones that could be used by a healer when treating people.
Summer homes were typically rectangular, gabled, thatch-roofed constructions constructed of upright poles and walled with wattle and daub. Houses in the south, particularly from the early nineteenth century onward, frequently had elevated floors, palmetto-thatched roofs, and open sides. The openness was necessary because slaves were not allowed outside the plantation boundary.
Winter houses were usually larger and more elaborate than summer houses. They often have glass windows instead of wooden shutters, and sometimes have stone or brick walls. On southern plantations, winter houses often had flat roofs covered with gravel or clay to prevent damage to the crops during rainy seasons.
Houses built before 1815 typically have square rather than rectangular shapes. They are made of wood and thatching, with mud or clay walls and a thatched roof. Some have log cabins with stone or brick chimneys while others have frame buildings with clapboard siding and shingled roofs.
After 1815, houses become more standardized. They are typically made of wood, have plaster walls and a metal roof, and have two or three rooms: a front room with a door leading to the porch, a back bedroom with a door leading to a rear hallway, and a kitchen in between them. There may be other rooms such as a loft, but these would be used only for storage.
Slaves did most of the work on the plantation.
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