Sara Ayers. Jar with Heads. 1987. clay. 12" x 9" x 9" Image courtesy of the South Carolina Arts Commission.Visual Arts

Native American artists in South Carolina make pottery, weaving, and other arts.

• Cherokee Folk Art
  Meet artists who are continuing the tradition of weaving, painting, woodworking, and pottery.
• Catawba Pottery
  Each month features a different potter from the Catawba Nation with examples of their art.
• Georgia Harris and Catawba Indian Pottery
  Georgia Harris was a Catawba Indian and native of Lancaster, SC who used traditional techniques and forms.
• Nancy Basket
  Nancy Basket makes and teaches traditional Cherokee basketmaking.
• SC Indigenous Gallery
  Explore events, artists, photos, and more that feature Native American art styles and techniques.
• The Blacksnake in Catawba Indian Art and Culture
  Find out what the blacksnake symbolizes in Catawba pottery, art, and folklore.

Food Culture

Explore the food traditions of Native Americans in South Carolina, before the Europeans and since.

• Cherokee Foodways in SC
  Explore the history of cooking and foods of the Cherokee.
• Indian Food and Cooking in NC
  The tribes of North Carolina 400 years ago would have had similar food culture to the Native American people of South Carolina.
• Cherokee Recipes
  Cook from recipes passed down through the Cherokee, such as fry bread, hickory nut soup, and grape dumplings.

Edisto Indian Cultural Festival in Ladison, SC. Image from flickr user Reellady.  

Language

Learn about the Cherokee or Tsalagi language and say O’siyo!

• Cherokee Language
  Learn the history and writing of the Cherokee.
• Cherokee Words
  Can you say Do hi tsu, or how are you?
• Cherokee Language
  Watch videos of children learning the Cherokee language.
• Sacred Prayers Sacred Songs
  Listen to Amazing Grace sung in Cherokee & Lakota.
• We Shall Remain
  Watch this PBS video on the future of the Cherokee Language.

Specific Tribes

These Native American tribes have all lived in South Carolina and are a state or federally recognized tribe.

• Catawba Indians
• Catawba Indians "People of the River"
• Cherokee
• Pee Dee Indian Tribe
• Santee
• Waccamaw

Native American Culture

Learn about the culture of Native American tribes in South Carolina.

• Native Americans in South Carolina
  Use this comprehensive guide to learn about the tribes that have lived in South Carolina throughout our history.
• Cherokee Games
  Read about the games that Cherokees have played such as chunkey, Cherokee marbles, stickball, and more!
• Cherokee Indians (1927)
  Watch this video from 1927 titled "Glimpses of Life Among the Catawba and Cherokee Indians of the Carolinas."
• Native American Studies Archive
  View pictures of pottery, families, and homes from the Catawba Indian Reservation.

Explore with DISCUS*

* Requires access to the DISCUS databases. Learn more here.

• Cherokee History & Culture
  Read about the Trail of Tears, Cherokee language, and more.
• Catawba
  This Native American tribe lived near the Catawba River and has 2,500 descendents.
• Native American Art
  Explore Native American art from several regions of the United States.
• Cherokee Language
  See the Cherokee syllabary, or system of writing that the Cherokee now use.