The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees

The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees by James Mooney is an important anthropological and ethnological work that documents the religious rituals prayers and sacred formulas used by the Cherokee people. Mooney who conducted extensive fieldwork among the Cherokee in the late 19th century collected these sacred texts to preserve the spiritual practices and ceremonial traditions of the tribe. The formulas which include chants invocations and healing rituals are essential to the Cherokee's religious and cultural life playing a key role in their worldview healing practices and connection to the spiritual realm.In this work Mooney not only records the sacred texts but also provides detailed commentary on their significance and the context in which they were used. He explores the role of medicine men spiritual leaders and the broader ceremonial practices that involved these sacred formulas. The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees serves as both a preservation of Cherokee spiritual heritage and an important scholarly resource for those studying Native American religions anthropology and the broader cultural practices of the Cherokee people. It offers an intimate glimpse into the sacred traditions that have been passed down through generations of the Cherokee community.