This article needs attention from an expert in Indigenous peoples of North America. The specific problem is: The connection with turtles needs to be clarified; a scholarly transcription of the month names and reliable sources of the etymologies would be useful.WikiProject Indigenous peoples of North America may be able to help recruit an expert.(December 2012)
The Cherokee calendar is defined by the seasonal round of ceremonies practiced by the Cherokee people. Although a modern calendar year comprises 12 months, there are actually 13 cycles or phases of the moon in the Cherokee calendar.[citation needed] The seasonal round of ceremonies is considered a necessary spiritual element for social cohesion and encourage gatherings among the Cherokee clans and Cherokee society.
Cherokee names for Julian calendar months
January: Unolvtana or Unâlatŭni,[1] meaning "windblown",[2][3]
February: Kagaʔli or Gŭgăli,[1] Bone Moon,[citation needed] "month when the stars and moon are fixed in the heavens"[2]
March: Anvhyi, referring to strawberries (anŭ),[3]
April: Kawohni, or Kùwáni[1] meaning "duck" as in "when the ducks return", "ducks swim in ponds month",[2][3]
May: Anisgvti, Ansgvti,[1] "planting moon",[citation needed] month of strawberries[2] or making pottery (ŭntĭ)[3]
