outstanding act or a great accomplishment, or after passing puberty. Blood law The blood law system of justice was usually carried out by the oldest brother of the victim, or by an older male relative from the victim's clan. In 1808 the people created the Lighthorsemen as the chief law enforcement of the Nation, until they were reformed in 1817. By 1825 the Lighthorseman were replaced by Marshals, Sheriffs and Constables to respond to a demand for more structured law enforcement along the European-American model. Ceremonies There are seven primary ceremonies celebrated by the Cherokee, but smaller subsequent ceremonies and or extension of primary ceremonies are also practiced. They are as follows: New Moon Festival (First Festival), Green Corn Ceremony (Second Festival), Ripe Corn Ceremony (Third Festival), Great New Moon Ceremony (Fourth Festival), Friends Made Ceremony (Fifth Festival also known as Propitiation Festival), Bounding Bush Ceremony (Sixth Festival) and the Uku or Ookah Dance(Only performed every 7 years). Dances Traditional Cherokee have both social and ceremonial dances. Some surviving dances may now be held for different purposes than they had historically. As with many cultures, the Cherokee have also been influenced by neighboring cultures. Cherokee Dances included the Booger Dance, Stomp Dance, War Dance, a victory dance called the Eagle Tail Dance, Ant Dance, Bear Dance, Beaver Hunting Dance, Friendship Dance, Forest Buffalo Dance and Uka Dance. Traditional use of masks Some Cherokee traditional dances involve masks. The Booger Dance masks represent various faces of the enemies of the Cherokee. They may be made from large gourds, hornets nests, buckeye, or poplar wood. Masks inspired by the traditional Booger Masks have been mass-produced and sold to tourists in various locations. The Bear Dance, Beaver Dance, and Forest Buffalo Dances may also employ masks. See also Cherokee mythology Green Corn Ceremony Unto These Hills Ani-kutani Stomp Dance Wild onion festival Footnotes References Reed, Marcelina. Seven Clans of the Cherokee Society. Cherokee Publications. First Edition, . Mails, Thomas E. The Cherokee People:... Council Oak Books External links Official Site of the Cherokee Nation Official Site of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Official Site of the Keetoowah Band of Cherokee