|
Traditional
Cherokee political organization was dualistic, with a white
or peace organization and a red or war organization. The white
division was headed by a peace chief or high priest (the Uku) with
some suggestion that the position was hereditary. The Uku was also
counseled by representatives of the seven clans and a body of elders.
This group of elders could also include women.
The white organization
was in charge unless the town was under
attack when the red organization would take charge. The red organization
was led by a warrior, who took active participation in the war.
He also was counseled by representatives of the seven clans. The
red organization was also in charge of matters outside the town,
such as hunting parties, trading expeditions, diplomatic embassies
and going on the warpath. As outlined on the webpage on the Council
House, the most important aspect of the political organization though
was the conscensus of the people. Even the war chief was not appointed
but held power because of his prowess as a warrior, his eloquence
as a speaker or his assertive nature. He could be easily deposed.
The Uku was more of a heriditary position, but he also had to have
the consensus of the people to remain in power and therefore had
to use tact, benevolence and mutual respect.
Disputes in
the town between individuals or between clans which could
not be settled by compromise were often settled by playing stickball,
the forerunner to what we today know as Lacrosse. This ancient sport
was much more bloody than what we know today and people were often
killed or severely injured during the course of play. Still, it
was preferable to outright warfare. Social control was governed
less by formal rules as by informal rules such as joking, ridicule,
shame and fear of sorcery or witchcraft.
Question:
Would joking or ridicule be a better way to make
children behave than by physical punishment?
|
