Oconaluftee Indian Village

Oconaluftee Indian Village Cherokee history isn’t just the past.  AT Oconaluftee Indian Village, it’s alive, well, and amazing. Step back in time to the 18th century and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Cherokee people nestled within the picturesque North Carolina mountains. The Oconaluftee Indian Village invites you to embark on a journey unlike…

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Once you stay in Cherokee, part of you never leaves. Are you ready for adventure? A culture, a people, and a place that’s actually a sovereign nation, Cherokee is located right in the heart of Western North Carolina. It’s also base camp for hiking in the Great Smokies, arts and crafts shopping, native elk herd…

cherokee tattoos on hands

Tattoos: A Language Beyond Communal Bounds

Before the development of the Cherokee written language, tattoos were used to identify one another in historic societies, and were especially prevalent among warriors, who had to earn their marks. We talked to Mike Crowe, one of the Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, to find out more about traditional tattoos and practices of the Eastern Band of Cherokee People