Adoptions - Cherokee "The clan was the most important social entity to which a person belonged. Membership in a clan was more important than membership in anything else. An alien had no rights, no legal security, unless he was adopted into a clan. For example, if a war party happened to capture an enemy and the captive was not adopted by a clan, then any sort of torture could be inflicted upon him. But if he were adopted into one of his captors' clans, then no one could touch him for fear of suffering vengeance from the adopting clan. The rights of clansman ship were so fundamental they were seldom if ever challenged." (Hudson, 193,194) Sometimes Cherokee citizens would choose to "adopt" a person from another nation or tribe - somebody who was not Cherokee by blood. This was because of friendship, for great affection was sometimes forged between those of alien nations. Some Cherokee women had Creek friends, for instance, and sometimes named their children for them, which accounts for some Cherokees ending up with foreign names (names that were not Cherokee in origin). These adopted Cherokees were given the same protection and privileges of any other member of the clan. So it can truly be said that membership in a Cherokee clan could be either by birth or adoption, both carrying the same weight, and no distinction being made between the two. Adopt A Relative: "This seems to point to a custom which has escaped the notice of earlier writers on the eastern tribes, but which is well known in Africa and other parts of the world, and is closely analogous to a still existing ceremony among the plains Indians. By which two young men of the same tribe formally agree to become brothers, and ratify the compact by a public exchange of names and gifts." (Mooney, 493) Private adoptions: Were not unusual, and the selection of someone as a "particular friend" was a very serious matter, to last a lifetime. This was usually "symbolized by a complete exchange of clothing and sometimes of names as well. It lasted throughout life, binding the Ind. at least, in loyalty to his special friend, and often it was the means of saving" a white man's life. "This custom is reflected in the name of 'Judd's Friend' which was applied to the great warrior Ostenaco; and it may be hazarded, too, that the devotion of Atta Kulla Kulla, who which Captain John Stuart owed his escape from the Fort Loudoun massacre, was an exhibition of Ind. loyalty to a "special friend". (quoted, Rothrock, 16) Submitted by Little Mother Come visit us at. "Keeper of Stories". http://www.newkeeperofstories.com/