Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Cherokee calendar

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The Cherokee calendar is defined by the seasonal round of ceremonies practiced by the Cherokee people. Although a modern calendar year comprises 12 months, there are actually 13 cycles or phases of the moon in the Cherokee calendar. The seasonal round of ceremonies is considered a necessary spiritual element for social cohesion and encourage gatherings among the Cherokee clans and Cherokee society.

Contents

Cherokee names for Julian calendar months

  • January: Unolvtana or Unâlatŭni, meaning "windblown",
  • February: Kagaʔli or Gŭgăli, Bone Moon, "month when the stars and moon are fixed in the heavens"
  • March: Anvhyi, referring to strawberries (anŭ),
  • April: Kawohni, or Kùwáni meaning "duck" as in "when the ducks return", "ducks swim in ponds month",
  • May: Anisgvti, Ansgvti, "planting moon", month of strawberries or making pottery (ŭntĭ)
  • June: Dehaluyi, "planting corn", blackberry month
  • July: Kuyegwona, "ripe corn moon", , huckleberry month
  • August: Gaʔloni, fruit moon, wild grapes month, Green Corn ceremony refers to drying up of the streams.
  • September: Dulisdi, nut moon, translation unknown, Bounding Bush Feast
  • October: Dunihidi, Duninhdi, harvestime month, Great New Moon Ceremony
  • November: Nvdadequa, Nvdadeqwa, big moon month,
  • December: Vsdgiyi, Vskihyi, snow moon, translation unknown

    • Seasons

  • Spring, Gagéyl, "near the summer"
  • Summer, Gagi
  • Early Autumn, Gúyû
  • Late Autumn, Ulăgăhûstû (refers to falling of the leaves)
  • Winter, Gâlû

    • References

    Cherokee calendar Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA