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bucephaly · 7 months

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It's kinda shocking to me how few people seem to know how prevalent the 'my great grandmother was cherokee' myth is and how it's almost never actually true, especially when it comes with things like 'never signed up' or 'fell off the trail' or 'courthouse burned down destorying the documentation' etc etc.

People just don't even seem to know the history like.. when the Trail happened. My great great great grandfather was 2 years old during Removal in 1838, so peoples 'my great grandmother hid in the mountains!' is so clearly wrong. And we have rolls. From before and after removal, rolls done by cherokee nation and others by the government, rolls that were not stored in one random flammable courthouse. It's not difficult to find the actual evidence of ancestry.

And just.. there are lots of ways those family stories get started. It was a practice during the confederacy to claim cherokee ancestry to show one's family had 'deep roots in the south' that they were there before the cherokee were removed. Many people pretended to be cherokee and applied for the Guion-Miller payout just to try to steal money meant for cherokees - 2/3rds of the applicants were denied for having 0 proof of actual cherokee ancestry. [We even see lawyers advertising signing up for the Miller roll just to try to get free money.] And the myth even started in some families in the cherokee land lotteries, where the land stolen from us was raffled off, including the house and everything that was left behind when the cherokees were removed. We have seen people whose families just take these things stolen from the cherokee family and adopt them into their own family story, saying that they were cherokee themselves.

If you had some family story about being cherokee and you wanna have proof one way or the other, check out this Facebook group run by expert cherokee genealogists that do research for free. Just please read the rules fully and respect the researchers. They run thousands of people's ancestries a year and their average is only around 0.7% of lines they run actually end up having true cherokee ancestry.

#and ive heard even dumber origins of the cherokee family myth #such as an ancestor having a silly sounding name so the descendents just go 'oh she mustve been an indian!!!'#i was one of the few people who had my ancestry done on the facebook and had genuine cherokee ancestry #[though i had found it before it was just really validating to get it double checked and i started finding cousins (:]#like. i was told once when i was a kid by my grandma that my dad had cherokee ancestry and i didnt believe her. its wild that so many peopl #will make it a Fixture of their identity [or even just smth they bring up ever] with Zero proof #at least for cherokees from what ive seen its usually considered really disrespectful to claim to have cherokee ancestry without #actually having the documentation [like ancestors on the rolls]#and no a dna test doesnt count. nor does 'my dad is Clearly not white!' or 'high cheekbones' or old family photos or anything #i had this discussion with someone recently whose dad had been calling himself 3/4 native but didnt know exactly what nation ???? hello?#and its like... sorry but ur dad is like. italian lol.#[and blood quantum is bullshit anyway im tired of the 'im 1/16 cherokee' comments its dumb #cherokee nation does not have a blood quantum requirement. its pointless bringing it up in the discussion of who is or isnt cherokee]#also mandatory disclaimer that im reconnecting. i didnt grow up connected to the culture of even knowing my ancestry #this is all from my looking into this stuff over the past year or so. i cant claim to be an authority over anything regarding this #this is p much all my repeating things ive heard said by people who know a lot more than i do haha #man. and this isnt even starting to get into the fake tribe stuff. the only legit cherokee groups are the 3 federally recognized bands #cherokee nation of oklahoma. united keetoowah band. and the eastern band of cherokee indians.#any others that are state recognized or not at all arent acknowledged as legitimate by any of the legit cherokee groups #anyway. my final message goodb.ye #cherokee #tsalagi

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thetimelordbatgirl · 3 months

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Also ngl kinda funny Sokka's actor claims the essence of Sokka is still there in the live action show, when the actor himself is from a tribe that is not recognized federally and has been described as false by three recognized Cherokee tribes (the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians). So don't know what the fuck he means by Sokka's essence is still in the live action, because they couldn't even stick to Sokka being indigenous.

#show really hoping we forget that one huh #like just cause your more diverse then fate the winx saga #dont mean your free from the shit you do netflix

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echovilled · 8 months

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meet cain: during his senior year in high school, cain tries to balance his studies, love life, and social life. however, he finds it much harder than he could have ever imagined with a serial killer on the loose.

learn more about him here:

Basic Information

Full Name: Cheasequah Awenasa

Cheasequah: The name Cheasequah is derived from the Tsalagi language and it means Red Cardinal Bird. Cain didn't receive his first name until a week after his birth. His great-grandmothers, grandmothers, and mother all participated in naming him, just as they had for other relatives around his age. They chose Cheasequah, inspired by the bright, windy day with sun-dappled maroon leaves that match the colors of a Red Cardinal Bird.

Awenasa: The name Awenasa is derived from the Cherokee Language and it means My Home. Native Americans did not adopt the custom of having surnames until 1900. Therefore, the only recorded Awenasa was a young man who went by the name of Salonitah “Sharp Shooter” Awenasa. Salonitah never knew his father as he died before he was born. In honor of his mother, he took her name "Awenasa" and used it as his official surname. She passed away in 1905.

Nickname(s)

Cain: Cain's nickname originated from the story of Cain and Abel. He found the drama of bloodshed, carnage, and family conflict thrilling, so he adopted the name for himself at the age of 7. His parents were obviously shocked and surprised, but much to his childhood annoyance, would still call him by his birth name.

Chess: Chess is derived from his first name, Cheasequah. His family mostly calls him by that name.

Age: 18

Date of Birth: September 27th, 2005

Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, United States

Cain was born in Seattle because his parents were temporarily living there for their careers before moving back to Ocean Shores a couple months after he was born.

Hometown: Ocean Shores, Washington, United States

Current Location: Ocean Shores, Washington, United States

Ethnicity: American Indian

Nationality

Cherokee: On his mother's side, he comes from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), and on his father's side, he is from the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. He has direct ancestors who were associated with the Indian Removal Act, The Trail of Tears and the 800 Cherokee Indians that lived amongst the Oconaluftee River that avoided the Trail of Tears entirely.

Gender: Cisgendered Male

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Sexuality: Bisexual

Religion: Cain’s family have notoriously preserved and raised each generation on traditional Cherokee beliefs. He’s raised to believe in Unetlanvhi (the Great Spirit) and practice those beliefs by participating in stomp dances and other ceremonies. Every year, he participates in two events held in Oklahoma, despite living in Washington.

Occupation: He works part-time as a ice cream scooper at an ice cream parlor and as a farm hand with his uncle during summer breaks.

Living Arrangements: Cain lives with his mother, father and three younger siblings in a 5 bedroom home in Ocean Shores, Washington.

In 1985, Cain's grandparents Yansa and Tsula Awenasa bought a plot of land and built their first home. After 15 years of living there and expanding the property, Tsula gifted the home to her youngest son (he was still living with them at the time), Cain's father Kanuna, in 2000. Kanuna and his wife Hialeah then raised their children in the home from 2005 onwards.

Bedroom Description

Cain’s bedroom can be described as cozy. The color theme of his bedroom is sage green, with dark wood floors. He has cream colored carpets that are 80% always littered with some kind of clothing until he picks it up. He has two huge connecting windows behind his bed that reaches out to the balcony (that he sneaks out of) that are covered with sheer taupe curtains. His furniture is made of dark wood to contrast that his entire room is painted a cream color. His nightstands are littered with an air diffuser, his keys, an alarm clock, two table lights, jewelry, emotional support water bottle and a framed picture of him with his favorite director Wes Studi. He has a desk that’s suppose to be for homework but it’s really to support his PC Gaming Desktop/Computer that supports games and editing videos. He has a low dresser that holds most of his trophies, awards, and other pictures of friends and family and a closet that’s built inside of his room. All over his walls are posters of movies, gaming and records of his favorite albums.

Cain's room is his personal space. If he's not out and about with his friends and family, he's usually vibing in his room.

Language(s) Spoken

Cain is fluent in two languages: English and Southern Iroquoian, which is spoken by the Cherokee Native Americans. His fluency is heavily reliant on the teachings of his grandparents, parents, and extended family members. Their objective is to prevent the near-extinct language from dying out completely within their family.

He can also speak Spanish, having been taking classes since Freshman Year. He is slightly above average in that language.

Physical Appearance

Hair Color

Black

Eye Color

Dark Brown

Height

6’0

Weight

166 lbs

Build

Inverted Triangle, Muscular.

He has the average body of someone who works out constantly and has a high metabolism.

Tattoos/Scars

Scars

Cain has a scar that travels below his ear and up four inches towards his head. No one can see it since his hair has grown back, but it was caused by a hate-crime incident.

He has a scar on his left eyebrow that was caused by falling off a training horse when he was a kid. Although it has faded over time, it is still visible if you are up close.

He has a few scars around his body that he wouldn’t have the slightest clue as to where they came from.

Tattoos

His first tattoo is an ancestral tattoo that’s located on the middle of his back. The men in his family receive this tattoo once they reach the age of 18.

The second tattoo is located on his forearm. The tattoo honors his ancestry.

The third tattoo is a camera located on his right ear. It represents his love for films and his desired career aspiration in filmmaking.

Piercings

Cain has both his ear lobes, helix and rooks pierced.

Usual Expression: Cain is known for his relaxed expression, which gives him an approachable vibe. His demeanor is one of his most notable characteristics, and it's easy to see why. He carries himself with a sense of calm and ease that makes people feel comfortable around him.

Distinguishing Characteristics

People notice Cain's hair before they notice him. Often in braids, straightened, half-do or just a ponytail, his hair reaches to the middle of his back, and he always takes good care of it.

Personality

Zodiac

Libra ☀️ Leo 🌙 Sagittarius ↗️

MBTI

ENFP-A: Campaigners are true free spirits – outgoing, openhearted, and open-minded. With their lively, upbeat approach to life, they stand out in any crowd. But even though they can be the life of the party, Campaigners don’t just care about having a good time. These personality types run deep – as does their longing for meaningful, emotional connections with other people.

Enneagram

6w7 (The Buddy): Sixes with Seven wings are very outgoing people who love to be surrounded by friends and have a good time. They balance their time spent relaxing with hard work, which is sacred to them. They can be both cheerful and serious, gaining insight from their environment and the people around them to anticipate their actions and protect themselves.

Temperament

Sanguine [Dominant]: The Sanguine is an extroverted, fun-loving, and playful personality type. They are activity-prone, impulsive, entertaining, and persuasive, often easily amused and optimistic. They are enthusiastic and expressive, and tend to be very affectionate. Sanguines are personable, receptive, open to others, and build relationships quickly. They are animated, excitable, approachable, accepting, and trusting of others. They smile and talk easily and often, and are skilled with words.

Moral Alignment

Neutral Good: A neutral good character typically acts selflessly, without considering whether the action is lawful or traditional. They are willing to cooperate with lawful officials, but they do not feel obligated to do so. If doing the right thing requires bending or breaking rules, they do not experience the same inner conflict that a lawful good character would.

Positive Traits

cooperative, diplomatic, fair-minded, social, reliable, hard-working, responsible, trustworthy, reactive, defiant, rebellious, optimistic, versatile, spontaneous, playful, high-spirited, practical, constantly seeking new and exciting experiences, curious, perceptive, enthusiastic, excellent communicator, festive, good-natured and romantic.

Negative Traits

indecisive, avoids confrontations, will carry a grudge, melancholic, defensive, evasive, anxious, cautious, people-pleasing, unfocused, disorganized, overly accommodating, overly optimistic, restless, misapplication of talents, becomes over-extended, lacks discipline.

Tropes

Nice Guy

Beware of The Nice Ones

You Are Not Alone

Big Man on Campus

Lovable Jock

Innocently Insensitive

Animal Lover

Fears

Current Fear: Losing his personal support system and stability.

Hobbies

Horseback Riding, Skating, Surfing, Swimming, Video Editing, Scriptwriting, Making Film Reviews.

Habits

Sideways glance, likes to wink, arms crossed over chest, pinching the bridge of the nose, running hand through hair, standing with hands in pocket, passing hand over the face when tired, twisting rings on fingers, leaning against wall while talking, whistles while walking.

Love Language

Acts of Service

" Can helping with homework really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most wants to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter. When others serve you out of love (and not obligation), you feel truly valued and loved."

Quality Time

" In Quality Time™, nothing says “I love you” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes you feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed activities, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful. Whether it's spending uninterrupted time talking with someone else or doing activities together, you deepen your connection with others through sharing time."

Physical Touch

" A person whose primary language is Physical Touch™ is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, and thoughtful touches on the arm—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive. Appropriate and timely touches communicate warmth, safety, and love to you. "

Favorites

Season

Fall

Weather

Rain

Color

Vermilion

Music

Hip Hop/Rap, Pop, Dance, R&B, Indie, Theatre Soundtracks.

Movies

Smoke Signals

Dead Poets Society

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Geronimo: An American Legend

The Outsiders

Powwow Highway

The Protagonists

Sports

Basketball, Football and Track

Beverage

C4 Energy X Starburst Drinks, Lemon and Lime Water, Black Tea

Food

Fry bread that is paired with toppings such as beans, meat, cheese, and tomatoes. Cedar plank salmon with wild rice and wild onions, that are served with eggs.

Animal

Representory Animal: Red Cardinal Bird

Family

Parents:

Kanuna Awenasa (47 years old): Kanuna is Cain’s father and has been a constant presence in Cain's life, as well as that of Cain's three other siblings. Not only has Kanuna been emotionally supportive of Cain, but he has also been physically present, providing guidance and a nurturing environment where Cain can express his emotions freely to him.

Hialeah Awenasa (45 years old): Hialeah is Cain's mother and they share a close relationship. Hialeah has a deep sense of protectiveness towards all of her children, but especially towards Cain since he will be leaving soon to attend college. Like any mother, Hialeah is always going to great lengths to ensure that she can be the best mother she can be and Cain, like any good son, is always appreciative of his mother and her efforts.

Sibling(s):

Amadahy “Ama” Awenasa (14 years old): Ama is Cain's younger sister, and they have a close relationship. However, things have recently become tense between them. This tension is somewhat expected, as Cain is leaving high school just as Ama is entering it. They are both at different stages in their lives, with different priorities and interests, and are generally shifting in different directions. While Ama wants to carve out her own future, Cain is using the excuse of being her big brother and knowing what and who is best for her. Despite their differences and ongoing bickering, Ama and Cain have always been there for each other, supporting one another through thick and thin.

Welala “Wesa” Awenasa (7 years old): Wesa is Cain's younger brother, and they have a close relationship. Though they share a typical big brother-little brother bond with all the arguments, fights, and annoying behavior that come with it, their bond runs deep. Cain hopes to set a good example for his brother, but his naturally rebellious nature is a contrast to that. At the same time, Cain cherishes their unique sibling dynamic.

Inola “Nini” Awenasa (6 Months old): Inola is Cain's younger sister, and they naturally have a close bond. Her arrival was a surprise to everyone, but Cain easily took on the role of as a big brother, as he has done twice before.

Extended Family

The Kanagagota Family

Maternal Great-Grandfather: Mato Kanagagota

Maternal Great-Grandmother: Lapahie Kanagagota ( Lapahie did not have a surname when she married Mato).

Maternal Grandfather: Citlali Kanagagota

Maternal Grandmother: Mitena Kanagagota (née Summerhill)

Uncle: Danuwoa Kanagagota

Uncle: Wohali Kanagagota

Aunt: Leotie Kanagagota

Mother: Hialeah Awenasa (née Kanagagota )

— Sidenote: The Kanagagota Family lives in upstate Carnation, Washington, where they own a farm. Cain's horses reside on the farm and he tries to visit them every weekend.

The Awenasa Family

Honorable Mention: The First Inheritor of the Awenasa Surname | Salonitah Awenasa

Paternal Great-Grandfather: Nakamo Awenasa

Paternal Great-Grandmother: Ayita Awenasa (née Onacona)

Paternal Grandfather: Yansa Awenasa

Paternal Grandmother: Tsula Awenasa (née Bravebird)

Aunt: Mohe Catawnee ( née Awenasa)

Uncle: Atohi Awenasa

Uncle: Austenaco “Austen” Awenasa

Father: Kanuna Awenasa

Aunt: Kamama Awenasa (Kanuna’s indentical twin sister)

Family’s Financial Status

Cain’s family’s financial status is Upper Middle Class.

Cain's mother is a Pediatrician and his father is an Aquatic Veterinarian. On top of that, The Awenasa and Kanagagota Family have had stable to comfortable jobs + careers since they moved to Ocean Shores and Carnation, Washington around 50 years ago. Although some family members live in various other states across the west coast, they all stay in touch and are able to support themselves and each other financially.

Cain himself has over $110,000 in his own personal savings due to his mother being an Eastern Band Cherokee.

Pet(s)

American Quarter Horse: Stormcloud

Spanish-Norman Horse: Nightbreeze

Pyrenean Mountain Dog: Koda Awenasa

Entlebucher Sennenhund Dog: Misun Awenasa

Russian Blue Cat: Wahya Awenasa

Sidenote: Stormcloud and Nightbreeze do not reside with Cain. Instead, they live on the farm in Carnation, Washington with the Kanagagota Family.

Life Stages

Childhood: In the early days of Cain's life, joy and health were prevalent. His parents chose to be hands-on and hands-off when necessary, a sentiment echoed by his extended family, who he has been surrounded by since birth. Growing up, Cain didn't own many toys. It wasn't because his family couldn't afford materialistic things, but because he found more joy in mundane activities. During his 6th birthday party, his father bought him a brand new PlayStation set which he played with for a few hours. But the next morning, Cain was outside making mud pies and playing with a few of his friends who had stayed the night. His childhood, filled with nature, would only strengthened his need to get into trouble due to curiosity. He was rebellious to a fault and quick on his feet, so no one could catch him doing stupid things if they tried (but that doesn’t mean they never did). As a result, he was enrolled in school sports to expend some of his excess energy towards something positive, which worked until the racism against him became apparent. Cain had been surrounded by people who looked like him and had always been kind enough to make friends wherever he went, but many people can take advantage of that and thus he was bullied because of it, which started to irritate him. He had always been raised with the idea that one should treat others the way they would want to be treated.

Adolescence: During his teenage years, Cain has experienced many ups and downs. From the end of friendships to the end of relationships, but he believes that this is what shapes a person and he’s one to always learn from his mistakes. But, like all teenagers, nothing is ever clear-cut, no matter how hard he expresses his feelings about situations and people. Over the course of his middle and high school career, he’s became quite popular with the students but a little less popular with the faculty, except for his art and physical education teachers. He makes good grades, some above average to maintain a well adjusted GPA but his heart has always lied with telling stories and that’s mostly due to the influence of his grandparents, Yansa and Tsula, who are the family’s storytellers.

#c: cain awenasa #m: edit #m: character introduction #s: painting with smoke

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agnes-anezka · 10 months

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Promo cards✨

Promo cards are cards that were not in the regular booster packs. They were it toys, tins or magazines.

There are all the series promo cards.

🤎Bella Copper🤎

⚪️ Geisha

⚪�� King

⚪️ Tikka

🗡Bella Wise Warriors🗡

⚪️ Tao

2⃣Second Series2⃣ (English)

⚪️ Apuni

⚪️ Excelsior

⚪️ Sunny (flat foil)

⚪️ Sunny (pattern foil)

2⃣Second Series2⃣ (other languages)

None

💙Northern Lights💙

🟢 Brigid

⚪️ Erinn

⚪️ Lugh

⚪️ Nuada

⚪️ Jumbo Bella

⚪️ Jumbo Froya

🏛Ancient Lights🏛

⚪️ Boreas

⚪️ Euros

⚪️ Notos

⚪️ Zephyros

⚪️ Generosity

⚪️ Mirth

⚪️ Serenity

⚪️ Zephyros

⚪️ Dreamer

🏛Mythology🏛 (English)

⚪️ Boreas

⚪️ Brigid

⚪️ Erinn

⚪️ Euros

⚪️ Lugh

⚪️ Notos

⚪️ Nuada

⚪️ Zephyros

🏛Mythology🏛 (other languages)

🟢 Notos (German)

🟣Native Lights🟣

⚪️ Aleut

⚪️ Chitimacha

⚪️ Inupiat

⚪️ Isleta

⚪️Jicarilla

⚪️ Miccosukee

⚪️ Morongo

⚪️ Muskogee

⚪️ Nisqually

⚪️ Pauma

⚪️ Potawatomi

⚪️ Keetoowah

🟢 Nisqually (English International)

🟢 Nisqually (Dutch)

⚪️ Nisqually (Italian)

🔆Magical Friends🔆

⚪️ Fairyfan

⚪️ Joyce

⚪️ Rana

⚪️ Roane

🐎Baby Bella🐎

⚪️ Dawn

⚪️ Dusk

⚪️ Rimfaxe & Aurora

⚪️ Wildflower

🐎Baby Bella🐎 (other languages)

⚪️ Dawn (French)

⚪️ Dusk (French)

⚪️ Rimfaxe & Aurora (French)

⚪️ Wildflower (French)

⚪️ Rimfaxe & Aurora (German)

⚪️ Wildflower (German)

🔑Treasures🔑

⚪️ Lily (English)

🟢 Lily (German)

👑Royalty👑

⚪️ Carmina (English)

⚪️ River (English)

⚪️ Carmina (Italian)

⚪️ River (Italian)

🎭Bella's Ball🎭

⚪️ Dewdrop

⚪️ Dewsparkle

🌻Sunflowers🌻

🟢 Aster

🟢 Fairybell

🪄Moonfairies🪄

🟢 Twilight

🟢 Woodlock

🌠Starlights🌠

🟢 Daybreak

🟢 Odyssey

🎠Spring Carnival🎠

⚪️ Carousel Honora

⚪️ Carousel Kona

🦋Summer Camp🦋

🟢 Eastrin Mustangs

⚪️ Westerno Mustangs

❄Winter Festival❄

🟢 Bumbit & Skidatel

🟢 Hugkiss & Fidget

🏅Best of Bella Sara🏅

🟢 Cordelia

🟢 Faxon

🦄Magical Chibis🦄

🟢 Group 1 (room)

🟢 Group 2 (lake)

🌳Herds from North of North🌳

⚪️ Carmina

🟢 River

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between-the-kola-and-the-sea · 1 year

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Reflections on Ethnic Classifications of Liberian Indigenous Pt. 1

I felt like making this to rumniate on the differences in how indigenous identity is considered/counted amongst Liberians (and potentially other west african countries) and the turtle-island indigenous. Being born and raised in the U.S as a result of my mother fleeing the civil war as a child, means that most of my understanding when it came to indigenous structure and classification were influenced by the dominant understanding of tribes and nations here. So in order to better understand my own culture, I had to do individual research into how tribal structure functioned.

(Please note that I am NOT turtle-island indigenous and may have some facts confused.)

Geographical regions, language diversity, and cultural divisions are used to categorize Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Anthropologists have given names to a variety of cultural zones that have ambiguous borders and are usually accepted with some modification.

Since the commencement of early European and African contact in the late 15th century, these cultural divisions have been mostly based on the locations of Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Indigenous peoples retain their original geographic categorisation after being forcibly evicted by nation-states. For example: Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. They are all Cherokee (Tsalagi) both linguistically and ethnically, but have different registrations with U.S government and are now located in different states in the U.S (due to Andrew Jackson's removal policy).

However, Liberia and Cote D'Ivoire are quite different. Currently, indigenous populations along the gold coast (Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone) can be categorized into three ethno-liguistic enclaves, one of which being Kru. Within Kru are even smaller "tribes," such as the Bassa, Grebo, and Krahn, and Krao/Klao. These groups, however, only possess linguistic affiliation internally, that even varies in dialect based on the distances between two dako (village). Due to this would be rather inaccurate to claim there is a Krao/Klao "tribe" in the western understanding of the word and more accurate to say the are multiple dako (dakwe) that speak the similar language/dialect and call themselves Krao/Klao on occasion. The strongest depiction of ethnicity, thus far remains at the Dako level.

These dialects are at times even mutually unintelligible. Hence why traditional understandings of a "tribe" may not apply here. The closest example I can consider, and even then doesn't fit well, would be tribal classification of indigenous mexicans, where it is tied moreso to one's native village and language, rather than a political identity.

A major player in the confusion and misunderstanding of Kru identity resides in the fact that multiple European countries in contact revolved around migrant labor. Many indigenous Liberians, particulary "Kru-speaking" peoples worked as stevedores on European ships. The conlfation/corruption of Krao/Klao with "Crew" and later "Kru/Krumen/Krooboys" despite the identity of a native's dako lead to many being mistakenly affiliated with the ethnic grouping.

#food for thought #west african indigenous #reconnecting indigenous #claiming indigeneity #west africa #liberia #liberian #klao people #kru #long post

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universalnewspoint · 3 months

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