Information on Cherokee Indian Symbols

Cherokee Indian writing symbols were invented by Sequoyah and introduced in 1819.

Sequoyah, known as George Guess, in 1809 realized the cultural importance of a writing system for his American Indian Tsalagi tribe, known as the Cherokee to white settlers. Previously unable to write, Sequoyah invented a utilitarian, easy to learn, system of writing by 1819.

Sequoyah

Sequoyah knew the Cherokee tribe would need literacy to preserve their culture amidst European-American expansion in the southeastern United States in the early 1800s. Reading and writing would more efficiently and permanently transmit knowledge than the story-telling, oral traditions of his people.

Syllabary

Sequoyah first attempted a pictographic system with a symbol for each word and concept in his Iroquoian language. This proved unwieldy and he opted instead for a syllabary, or phonetic alphabet with a symbol for each of the 85 vowel and consonant sounds of the native Tsalagi language. The syllabary incorporated many Latin alphabetic letters.

Literacy

Many Cherokees quickly learned the simple writing system. The syllabary is still in use today, taught at several schools and universities.

References

• Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee: The Cherokee Alphabet
• Native Languages: The Cherokee Alphabet And How To Use It
• Omniglot: Cherokee Syllbary