Cherokee Clans: An Informal History

The Cherokee Clans are unique, not paralleled in any other tribes.  Handed down in strict matrilinear fashion, each person’s clan is the same as the mother’s.

There used to be strict prohibitions against marrying  within it. The Seven are Wolf (Ani-Wahiya), Bird (Ani-Tsiskwa), Deer (Ani-Kawi), Twister (Ani-Gilohi), Wild Potato (Ani-Gotegewi), Panther (Ani-Sahoni) and Paint (Ani-Wodi).  Although sometimes combined with the Panther Clan, the Bear Clan is usually ignored in the scheme.

Suppressed by the reforms of affluent half-breed planters following the death of Dragging Canoe in 1792, the Cherokee clans and their secrets went underground, so that by the twentieth century, few Cherokees, even full bloods, knew much about them.

If you are a Cherokee descendant, you have a clan. Are you from the Teachers? The Warriors? The clan of the peace chiefs? The speakers, singers and dancers? The “Terrible Ones”?

Donald Panther-Yates, who is Paint Clan, has assembled in these notes the first book-length treatment of a lost social order and ancient identity.

Cherokee Chapbooks Series No. 4

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By Donald N. Panther- Yates

Brief historical guide to the seven Cherokee clans, their origins, famous representatives and traditional strengths. Expanded epub edition with reflowable text suitable for most e-readers, including iPad, iBook, Nook, Sony and Kobo.

Because of their unusual history, the seven Cherokee clans are not paralleled exactly in any other American Indian tribe. They are Wolf (Ani-Wahiya), Bird (Ani-Tsiskwa), Deer (Ani-Kawi), Twister (Ani-Gilohi), Wild Potato (Ani-Gotegewi), Panther (Ani-Sahoni) and Paint (Ani-Wodi). If you are of Cherokee descent you belong to a clan whether you know which one it is or not. Find out about an ancient kinship system that survives to the present day in this illustrated and solidly documented guide by Paint Clan member Donald Panther-Yates, author of Old World Roots of the Cherokee.

Click here to purchase audiobooks

By Donald N. Panther- Yates

Unofficial, informal histories of the seven Cherokee clans, their famous representatives and traditional strengths. Expanded edition perfect for Kindle readers and other devices (mobi).

The seven Cherokee clans are found in no other American Indian tribe. They are Wolf , Bird, Deer, Twister, Wild Potato, Panther and Paint. If you are of Cherokee descent you belong to a clan, the same one as your mother. Find out about an ancient kinship system that survives to the present day in this solidly documented guide by Paint Clan member Donald Panther-Yates, author of Old World Roots of the Cherokee.

Click here to purchase audiobooks

By Donald N. Panther- Yates

This unique book is the only authoritative source of information on its subject: the seven Cherokee clans, their origins and history, famous representatives and traditional strengths. Expanded pdf formatted edition, ideal for reading on your PC.

The seven Cherokee clans found in no other American Indian tribe are Wolf (Ani-Wahiya), Bird (Ani-Tsiskwa), Deer (Ani-Kawi), Twister (Ani-Gilohi), Wild Potato (Ani-Gotegewi), Panther (Ani-Sahoni) and Paint (Ani-Wodi). If you are of Cherokee descent you belong to a clan according to your mother’s (and her mother, her mother, her mother … ). Find out about an ancient kinship system that survives to the present day in this brief but trustworthy guide by Paint Clan member Donald Panther-Yates, author of Old World Roots of the Cherokee.

Click here to purchase audiobooks