Clans:
The Seminoles were broken up into several
clans. A clan is a family group. Each clan was named after something in
nature - Panther, Bear, Bird, Deer, Wind, Snake, Otter. Clan
names were very important.
Your name announced what clan you
belonged to. The Seminoles had a naming ceremony. Only 2 people could
have the same name in a clan. When one died, that name was passed on
to a boy or girl turning 12. That person carried the clan name until
they died, and again the name was passed on. No other tribe or
clan could use those names.
Clans had songs and special necklaces
that also identified them.
Marriage: A wedding could be performed by any male
relative of the bride or any one of the "old men" of the
tribe. Often, the bride's father performed the ceremony.
Marriage
between relatives was forbidden. You had to marry out of your clan.
When a child was born, it belonged to the mother's clan.
Clans
