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O’siyo!
I saw your posts on “Stomps” and I might have said too much there. But I’ll talk more about them freely in a “private” e-mail, if you want. I’ve been told it is a thing that should not be discussed too much online.
In Oklahoma, the Arkansas Cherokee & their relatives who stayed back east before and/or after 1838(who were the Chickamaugans — I can provide references for the validity of that statement) kept the old traditions after those who came West in the Trail of Tears. Then after the 1846 treaty the Chickamaugans (aka Old Settlers) could no longer live peacefully in Arkansas without fear of enslavement, and another Cherokee diaspora occurred amongst the people. Some Arkansas Cherokee were enslaved, including some of my ancestors. I did research on them and that’s why I know. During the Civil War (contrary to what is said in some circles), many of these Arkansas Cherokee did come to Oklahoma revived the Stomp Dances, because they were the only ones who still knew them, and they became known at that time as the “Keetoowah”. At first they were lead by Christians too, and they were much very anti-slavery, and formed the bulk of the Cherokee regiments for the north in the Civil War who fought against Stand Waite & others.
Most Keetoowah will not contact you unless you have been introduced. Someone once graciously intorduced me to them and I’d like to return the favor to others.
One place to meet them is during Labor Day (Cherokee National Holiday) when they give a demonstration Stomp in Tahlequah.
vance hawkins
Vance, I meant to respond to your ealier post, and tell you of course you’re welcome here. That’s the whole point of this forum, we’re all trying to figure out our family info.
I didn’t know stomps should be on the Q.T. I thought they were social dances.
They are social dances, however also used for ceremony. The Buskita is held ever year and has a variety of sacred dances at that time. Also stomps are time to rekindkle ties, laugh, take medicine, and unwind. is also somewhat private, for the people of the community of that particular stomp ground. so i guess the QT is directed towards too much info on too much stuff too public. but up until this point i dont think there has been any indescretions or poor judgement.
I don’t know of any way to move part of a thread. It’s all or nothing. It’s certainly natural for conversation to segué, just as it’s easy for the momentum to be lost. I know it bothers some people, and it will make it easier to retrieve archived material at a later date, but my impulse is generally to let the momentum go where it wants.
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