Spiritual Views and Traditions of the Cherokee - Cherokee As reported by Rev. Buttrick and John Howard Payne in 1835 The world was created at the time of the first new moon in autumn, with the fruits all ripe. The first new moon in autumn is therefore the great new moon, or nu-ta-te-qua and with it the year commences, as regards the feasts of new moons, though the first new moon is spring begins the year with regard to the feast of first fruits, etc., because then the fruits begin to come forward. INFORMANT: Yu-wi-yo-ka Alexander Longe's Cherokee informant. in 1725, stated that the Green Corn Ceremony MUST take place, and MUST observe the sacrifice of the first fruits, and the priests' prayer to God, for if we do not remember him in thanksgiving, he will not remember us. *Note: Cultural information may vary from clan to clan, location to location, family to family, and from differing opinions and experiences. Information provided here are not 'etched in stone'. Come visit us at. "Keeper of Stories". http://www.newkeeperofstories.com/ or Come visit us. "Native Village" [email protected]