Oconaluftee Village In
The Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
Your trip to the Great Smoky Mountains should definitely include a visit to the Oconaluftee Indian Village, which is located in the ancient homeland of the Cherokee Nation in Cherokee, North Carolina. Since it opened in 1952, more than six million people, from all 50 States and many foreign countries, have visited the Oconaluftee Indian Village.
At Oconaluftee, which is a part of the Cherokee reservation in the Great Smoky Mountains, the early primitive life of the Cherokee is dramatically presented in an authentic setting. The Oconaluftee Indian Village is a full-size replica of an early 18th century Cherokee community and is populated by authentic Cherokee Indians in native dress. Visitors can glimpse rites and customs that are now all but forgotten. The Cherokee guides explain the history, culture and life style of their ancestors and answer questions as you pause to watch Cherokee artisans demonstrate their arts and crafts. You will also witness demonstrations of authentic tribal dances and the use of the Cherokee's primitive weapons. A major feature of the Village is the 7-sided Council House, which was the political, religious and cultural center of Cherokee life. You'll also see typical Cherokee homes as they were 250 years ago. Also included on the tour is a visit to the Squareground, which was the hub of ceremonial life of the Village and a unique hothouse.
Strolling along the winding, re-created paths of history, one may see typical log cabins plastered with clay and roofed with bark or broad shingles. Native craftsmen are busy making bows, arrows, arrowheads, blowguns, ceremonial masks, dugout canoes, pottery, weaving baskets, chipping flint, and practicing the intricate arts of finger weaving and beadwork, all without benefit of metals, machine or wheel. Other activities of the Village include corn pounded into meal for making bread, food preparation and wood carving.
Adjacent to the Village is the mile-long, Cherokee Botanical Garden and Nature Trail that displays more than 150 species of trees, flowers and other plants that are native to the Great Smoky Mountain region. The Nature Trail typically features around 150 different varieties of day lillies, which are normally at peak bloom in late June or early July. Another item of interest, featured in this tour is a Cherokee herb garden. A stream with walkway bridges enhances the beauty of this area. The tour of the Nature Trail and Gardens is a part of Oconaluftee Village.
The setting of Oconaluftee is authentic. It is on the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. Its peoples are descendants of those whose story they tell. Thus, visitors are assured of an entertaining experience when they delve into this facet of American history.
The Village is located on U.S. Highway 441 in Cherokee, NC and is open daily from 9:00 am until 5:30 pm, from May 15 through October 25.
