The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees

This volume offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual and practical knowledge of the Cherokee people as recorded in the late 1800s. Drawing from a collection of roughly six hundred handwritten formulas, it presents prayers, cures, love charms, hunting songs, and other rites that guided everyday life. The texts were originally inscribed in the Cherokee syllabary invented by Sequoyah, allowing the tribe to preserve its oral tradition in writing for the first time. The selection showcases the breadth of Cherokee belief—from medicine and protection to games and communal council.

Accompanied by scholarly introductions that explain the cultural context, each formula is rendered into clear English, letting listeners hear the rhythm and intent behind the original chants. The work also reflects the tension between ancient shamanic practices and the encroaching influence of missionaries and modern society. By listening, you’ll travel into a world where language, ritual, and daily concerns intertwine, gaining an intimate sense of a people striving to keep their sacred lore alive.