The Cherokee People historically occupied parts of seven
southeastern states in the continental United States. The
Cherokee Nation was comprised of towns and villages situated
along the broad river valleys which comprise this region of the
southern Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains. Cherokees also
controlled hunting grounds in the rugged highlands and
maintained hunting camps there throughout the year. Headmen and
chiefs, who were chosen through a matrilineal social system
controlled by the women, governed villages and towns. This
social structure consisted of seven clans of familial
organization. The clans, Bird, Deer, Wolf, Blue, Long Hair, Wild
Potato and Paint, lived in extended family homes constructed
from waddle and daub, an adobe like clay, applied to wooden
frames. The women controlled marriage and property and the
matrilineal uncles principally reared children. At the time of
European contact, first by Desoto in 1540, the Cherokee were
governed by two distinct administrations, one for war and one