Cherokee Wedding Baskets

2nd gradeSweet Apple Elementary

Essential Questions

• What is a Cherokee Wedding Basket?• Who were the Cherokee?• What materials are the wedding baskets made

with?• What elements of art can be found in a

wedding basket?• How can we create our own baskets inspired

by the wedding basket?

Maggie Wachacha• Artist Cathy Cooksey• Maggie Wachacha was a member of the

Snowbird Community in Graham Co, NC. part of the Eastern band of Cherokees. In the mid 1980's Maggie was recognized with the title "Beloved Woman", the highest honor a Cherokee woman can receive.

• She spoke and wrote in the Cherokee language and served as a translator and interpreter. She was also the clerk of the Tribal Council for many years. It was known that Maggie would walk to every council meeting and for many years would never miss one. She was a great communityleader, and was known as a great traditional healer using herbal medicines throughout her life.

• She was also known for her beautiful basket weaving. Since the 1700's , there have only been four women bestowed the title" Beloved Woman". Maggie shares this honor with a well known Cherokee woman named Nancy Ward.

Materials and Techniques• For generations, Cherokee basket

weavers have merged their creativity with everyday needs. The most intricate Cherokee baskets are made from river cane, which can be woven in both single and double layer designs. Cherokee basket makers also use materials such as white oak and honeysuckle to execute their distinctive basketry traditions. The whole process of making a basket, from finding good materials to weaving a complex geometric design, takes skill, concentration and a great deal of time.

A Cherokee WeddingCherokee homes usually had no scissors, so women tore pieces of fabric into either squares or rectangles to make their dresses. The couple were wrapped in blue blankets, which represented their old ways of weakness, sorrow, failures and spiritual depression. They were followed by relatives to the sacred fire.

A holy man blessed the union and all those present in an elaborate ceremony. The couple exchanged baskets, the groom's basket contained meat and skins, representing his promise to feed and clothe her. The bride's basket was filled with bread and corn, representing her promise to nurture and support him.