Galohni
Green Corn festivals are still practiced today by many Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma, typically coinciding with late summer and tied to the ripening of the corn crops. The ceremony is marked with dancing, feasting, fasting and religious observations. Among the Cherokee people, the Green Corn Ceremony honors Selu, the Corn Mother. The ceremony begins with all members going to a running body of water and washing themselves as a cleansing ritual.
Witin the sacred circle, a pit is dug and a branch of wood from a tree struck by lightning is lit and used to bless the grounds for the ceremony. The dancers then perform several rounds of sacred dances. The final dance of Green Corn involves the entire assmelbly in a combined social dance, forming a snaking, sinous line of dancers circling the fire. Minor grievances and debts are typically forgiven during Green Corn between parties as a symblo of rebirth and new beginnings to encourage community bonding and cohesion as part of traditional Cherokee culture.
"The Green Corn Dance is held during the last part of the summer when we all get together and celebrate the corn ripening and the Great Spririt's git to us, forgiving each other for all that was done and beginning anew so there are no bad feelings in the future. During the day we cook and clean the arbors and grounds then have dinner and dance all night. "
Source: Dorothy Ice, Cherokee National Treasure
Cherokee Native Art and Plant Society, 2010
