536 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1956 



The activities of anthropologists have undoubtedly contributed 

 to the conservation of the old cultural traditions, and the demonstra- 

 tion that the remunerative tourist industry can be developed through 

 reconstruction of traditional community life and activities has helped 

 also. What must be noted in this connection is the linkage between 

 conservation of the culture and the conservation of the race. The one 

 is inseparable from the other. An enlightened recognition of this 

 fact by the white man is of the greatest importance to our generation. 

 Respect for the integrity, not only of the race but also of the culture, 

 is fundamental, and a characteristic of our times. 



The position of the mixedbloods is a difficult one. Drawn by their 

 diverse racial inheritance partly toward the white and partly toward 

 the Indian, they have a hard row to hoe. In some respects they form 

 an entirely distinct group which perhaps could develop a cultural 

 tradition, partly Cherokee and partly white, with a happy blend of 

 the best features of both. The history of mixedblood groups has 

 not been a happy one, however, and time and patience are required 

 to work out all the many problems that beset them. 



THE CORE OF TRADITION 



Cherokee life revolves about the traditional institutions that have 

 survived over the centuries as means of maintaining and perpetuating 

 the social and biological continuity of the tribe. Of these the most 

 important is the system of clans. The clan is not what we think of 

 as in the case of Scottish clans, but rather an outmarrying group 

 that insures the marriage within the tribe but only within certain 

 modes of relationship. In early times marriage within the clan was 

 punishable by death and it is still observable that such breaches are 

 the exception. Clan membership was transmitted through the mother. 

 The clan names translated into English are as follows: Wolf, Deer, 

 Bird, Red Paint, Blue, Wild Potato, and Twister. The following 

 associations of ideas presented by the Cherokee may explain in part 

 the derivation of these clan names. 



The Wolf Clan was composed of great huntsmen — hunters who in 

 their assiduity and attention to their profession were keen as wolves. 

 It was also said that the members of this clan were fond of capturing 

 young wolves and raising them in captivity and training them just 

 as dogs are trained. It was and still is regarded as bad luck for any 

 Cherokee to kill a wolf, although in former times a profession of 

 wolf killers existed. To the east of Qualla on the reservation is a 

 section called Wolf town. 



Members of the Deer Clan were like the Deer for swiftness. It 

 was thought that they also kept deer in captivity. They were reputed 

 to be specialists in the hunting and killing of deer. Just east of the 

 Agency is an area called Deer-place after this clan. 



