Agalisiga: Carrying on Cherokee Language through Country Music

In Cherokee tradition, music and dance entwine with daily life. They’re both inherent to cultural celebration and to rituals, including preparing for a good hunt or harvest, and asking for rain. In many cases, American folk and country music (albeit with a notably shorter history) also remain an essential means of gathering and forming community. For Cherokee language country singer and teacher Agalisiga ‘Chuj’ Mackey, combining the two traditions felt daunting, but worthy.