Archived Outdoors

Cherokee river cleanup honoring Long Man

The river cleanup in Cherokee will be held Sept. 6. Donated photo The river cleanup in Cherokee will be held Sept. 6. Donated photo

Long Man, Ganvhida Asgaga, is a revered figure among the Cherokee, whose head lays in the mountains and feet in the sea. The river is Long Man, called upon for strength, for cleansing, and for numerous cultural rituals tied to medicine and washing away bad thoughts and sadness.

Help honor Long Man by taking part in the annual Oconaluftee River cleanup starting at 8 a.m. Sept. 6 at the Peaches Squirrell Recreation Complex in Cherokee.

Over breakfast, volunteers will share in prayer, hear from speakers and see a puppet show. They will receive equipment and instructions on where and how to safely clean the mountain streams, creeks and rivers, then be dispatched in teams for the cleanup.

Links to register for the event and further information can be found at facebook.com/honoringlongman.

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