Cherokee Women: Gender and Culture Change, 1700-1835

by Theda Perdue

Theda Perdue examines the roles and responsibilities of Cherokee women during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a time of intense cultural change. While building on the research of earlier historians, she develops a uniquely complex view of the effects of contact on Native gender relations, arguing that Cherokee conceptions of gender persisted long after contact. Maintaining traditional gender roles actually allowed Cherokee women and men to adapt to new circumstances and adopt new industries and practices.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Native American, Feminism, Indigenous, Native American History, Read For School

254 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Connie Lacy]

Full of insights into the lives of Cherokee women, and, by extension, Cherokee men and children as well. Fascinating that women in the Cherokee Nation, prior to the meddling and devastation inflicted by white settlers and the US government, had so much power and prestige. Wonderful book. Highly recommended for anyone interested in women's issues, Cherokee Indians and Native Americans, in general.

[Ami Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherokee Women: Gender and Culture Change, 1700-1835, written by Theda Perdue, offers a detailed explanative chronology of the events that served to create a substantial shift in the gender roles of the Cherokee between the years of 1700 and 1835. Focusing on changes in culture, Perdue illustrates how the appearance of European traders and missionaries led to an almost complete reversal in the traditional roles held by the Cherokee, and how those changes affected the financial, family, and religious situations of their people over time. Her focus on gender led to some interesting insights and facts that I hadn't previously considered in relation to the Native Americans.
Of the many things I found astonishing, in the years prior to the 1700's when the Natives engaged in war, they used to burn their P.O.W's. When the European traders began to settle in the Americas, they were faced with a tremendous lack of labor and a great deal of agricultural work. As they had previously established a trade relationship with the Cherokee, the Europeans suggested that they use their prisoners as trade for English merchandise. These acts brought Native Americans into slavery. They possessed slaves, but also became slaves themselves. Further, they intermarried with African Americans, and many of the elements and practices that we have previously associated with their culture were actually Native American in origin.
The great array of tactics used to convert the Cherokees to Christianity is impressive to read about. When asked by the Moravian missionaries if they were sinners, the Cherokee people repeatedly replied, "No." As they were not monogamous or monotheistic, they had no conception of the Christian idea of religion. Only after they were instructed to believe that they were sinners did the Natives begin to feel that their belief systems were wrong. It is recorded that after they were introduced to the concept of sin, they commonly felt "sad without explanation." While the government had a difficult time convincing the early Cherokee to conform to English mores, they had little trouble convincing the children of those people to become Christians. In the nineteenth century, they forced English education on the children and gave them the English surnames of the benefactors that contributed the most money to the "civilizing" movement. Historical accounts demonstrate how the English were proud of these things, believing that they were creating productive and driven Americans. However, all Christianity served to do was divide tribes and families in such a way that they had no choice but to change to a European way of life. Without community property to rely on, they couldn't worship as they chose. Their residence patterns and inheritance patterns had to change, and the women and children suffered a great deal.
Perdue's work is a tremendous read and is really well-written. She used a combination of anthropological study and historical documents to create a well-rounded view of the Cherokee. It's divided into several sections, so if you are only interested in certain elements of the work, it is easy to use for research. It's not needlessly wordy or dry and after reading other historical essays, I have truly come to appreciate that. Perdue travelled all over the country to write this thesis and I am honestly in awe of it. (To add a little color to this assessment, I'll just say that I give it "two snaps up in a Z formation").

[Feritgrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study. This book had been recommended to me for years, and I finally got copy. I am very glad I did- and wish I had read it years ago. My only criticisms are that it is repetitive- as many others have noted. And I wish that Perdue had included a bit more initial biographical summary of some of the women(and their experiences) that she refers to repeatedly. She tends to only reference glancingly the event or action the woman or women in question have done, but clearly expects the reader to already have familiarity with it/the woman etc. I suspect both this and the repetition result from the book being assembled from shorter pieces /articles written for an audience already knowledgeable in ethnohistory and Native American history. While the casual reader might find the book a bit trying, it is an excellent academic study.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great, well-researched book at an often overlooked part of historical societies, which is the role of women. Now, a lot of this information is mentioned in many other works, but it isn't put together coherently to really reflect the role of women in Cherokee society. So this book does a great job of collating information that is out there, but also interpreting the kind of thing that isn't explicit in those other works. For example, generally polygamy is presented as yet another aspect of patriarchy that oppresses women, but here Theda Perdue explains why this isn't the case in Cherokee society and actually strengthens the women in the household. For people who've never researched the role of women in society, or even blithely accept Western, Christian ideals about women, some of what they'll read will be shocking. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

That being said, the main drawback is that it's too short and doesn't pursue the threads of how Cherokee women adapted to changing times up into modern times, and I would've loved to see more about that.

[Danielle Apple · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite quote “Selu had met Eve, but she had not surrendered.” An in-depth look at how values wavered, but persisted in the face of European influence.

[Michael]

This is an incredible book incorporating anthropology, history, letters, journals, missionary accounts and archeology concerning Cherokee women.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thea Perdue adds an excellent addition to the Indians of the Southeast series by giving a new perspective on the role of women in Cherokee society. There are very few books that assess how women were affected by European invaders in a traditional society. The women existed in a matrilineal world where they controlled trade and social functions which are retold expertly here. Perdue recounts how war, diplomacy, and economics changed the roles of women and how the European viewpoints were dominant. The book ends with a look at the supposed Renaissance that occurred when missionaries from the Moravians began to work on a language and develop societal roles in Cherokee tribes.

The literature on Indians of the Southeast, and Indians in general, is growing quickly and this will become a staple within the historiography. For those who want to look at the history of the Cherokee this is an invaluable source. Furthermore for those who want to look at matrilineal roles and how they affected European and Indian relations than this is a great way to study them.

[Sydney Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theda Perdue is absolutely brilliant. This book is a stunning exploration of an under-examined society. I wish that I had more background on Native American culture because she has sparked such a curiosity in my brain for more, and I don't know where to start. Perdue writes incredibly long sentences, but they are full of amazing and valuable information (so long as you can keep track of what she's saying). Her use of source material is seamless and I have added many other things to my primary source reading list because of it.

My recommendation is that if you have any interest in Native American culture or gender roles at all then you need to pick up this book and learn a little something--because I can guarantee that you won't regret it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a 3.5 for me. I read it for class, or I wouldn't have read it at all, but for a school book it was pretty decent. It was interesting and well-researched, although it could be a bit repetitive in parts. The author had a point of view and a thesis, but she also talked about exceptions to her thesis and addressed all parts of Cherokee female experience.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for pleasure reading, but if you're looking for research resources on this topic, this might be a good one to read.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an alright book. It was interesting, though very repetitive in parts. It read very much like a textbook. I appreciated that is focused very much on the roles of gender in Cherokee society and included male gender roles as well. It even explored the exceptions to typical roles. While it was a bit "dry" in some area, I'm glad I read it.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to learn so much about Cherokee culture. The way that Cherokee women lived is so different from how women live today and it interesting to think about how European conquest changed their lives so drastically.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the go to sources for Cherokee information. While it is not the only reading that I recommend, it is one that is written in a voice that will keep the pages turning. My poor copy is written in, has highlighter in all colors, post it notes, etc. -- worth a read.

[Ansley]

I haven't read this wet but I am related to Nancy Ward in this book.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time frame selected allows Perdue to demonstrate changes in roles and status before and after white intervention. She not only looks at gender, but also class status within the community.

[hh · Rating 3 out of 5]

really comprehensive, well-researched overview of the role of women in cherokee society dating from the contact with European society through removal.

[Rose Klix · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very indepth presentation about the Cherokee Women. It will serve well as a reference book.

[Margot Fallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An astounding look at a culture of strong women and non-oppressive female gender roles. Cherokee culture and the affect of colonization.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and a nice easy read. Pretty short for a history book as well.

[AskHistorians]

Emphasizes all Cherokee women, not just prominent ones, in her history of the Cherokee.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a number of reasons this book is a stellar example of what one would like to see in a scholarly approach to history. First, the author based it on an extensive review of primary and secondary sources. These were frequently and clearly noted in the text and also well described in the footnotes section of the book. Some of the primary sources included reports and correspondence of the missionaries living and working with the Cherokees in the 18th and 19th centuries. Other primary sources were the correspondence and writings of US leaders like Washington, Jefferson, Madison, et al. In addition to the usual array of books and/or journal articles Perdue’s secondary sources included a book written about Indian history in 1775. That was how thorough her review of sources was.

Second, the author consistently presented very thorough descriptions of the cultural, social, political, and economic dynamics which drove the changes in Cherokee gender relations and society. Rather than inundate the reader with lengthy and sometimes tedious details as some academics might do Perdue seemed judicious in just how much information she provided. Generally it was enough to make her point without becoming overkill.

Third, the book was written in a direct, easy to read prose. Her use of quotations was timely and well balanced.

Fourth, the concluding chapter was an excellent 10 page summary of the trends Perdue had described in the prior chapters. But it also provided a concise analysis of the social, economic, and political dynamics which drove the US federal government to move from efforts to ‘civilize’ the Cherokee in the early 1800’s to outright removal by the 1830’s.

One thing which the book lacked was a map of the Southeastern US where the Cherokee were living when they first encountered and interacted with the Euro-Americans. Since the author made reference to some Cherokee towns, a map or two would have made the book even more reader friendly than it was.

Overall, however, this was a very informative and engaging piece of work. And all in a text of only 195 pages!

It would be a great companion book with two others about the Cherokee which I have read in recent years: Ties that Bind and The House on Diamond Hill, both by Tiya Miles. If one reads all three of these, one can gain a very clear and comprehensive sense of what life was like for the Cherokee in the Southeastern USA. And by extension for some of the other indigenous peoples trying to cope with and adapt to the Euro-American invasion of their homelands.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this back in college and thought it was super. I'm so glad this randomly showed up on my good reads so I could reconnect with this book. The author weaves an easy to read narrative that is incredibly enlightening

[Sarah Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting history of the culture of Cherokee Women and the effects of European colonialism on their communal culture and livelihood.

Definitely a large amount of errors. Needs another round of editing and proofreading.

[Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherokee women deserve more books written about them. This one was thankfully not focused on the sadness that often pervades cherokee historical accounts but rather the persistence of cherokee culture through women.

[Stephanie G. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowledge is power

This book is so worthwhile! A story of a people by their descendants, not those who sought to remove them from the Earth. I am a daughter Selu. I will learn more about her.

[Aisha Manus · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful book on just one of the hundreds of nations that comprise the Native Americans as a whole. Very informative.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Perdue does her research really well, and I appreciated her candor about the research process. The framing of the structure of gender in Cherokee society before European invasion was really well written. It is a good read for history but also gender studies.

[Tom Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable.