Pat Brand
389 Country
The U.S. Board of Geographic Names has officially renamed Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi, a Cherokee name meaning "mulberry place," following a request by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). The decision was announced on Wednesday, Sept. 18, marking a significant recognition of the Cherokee people’s cultural and historical ties to the mountain.
Kuwohi, located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is not only the highest point in Tennessee but also holds deep spiritual significance for the Cherokee. It is the tallest peak within the traditional Cherokee homeland and a site of sacred importance.
“The Great Smoky National Park team was proud to support this effort to officially restore the mountain and recognize its importance to the Cherokee people,” Superintendent Cassius Cash said in a statement. “The Cherokee people have had strong connections to Kuwohi and the surrounding area long before the land became a national park. The National Park Service looks forward to continuing to work with the Cherokee to share their story and preserve this landscape together.”
The initiative to rename the mountain began in 2022, spearheaded by EBCI members Lavita Hill and Mary Crowe. A formal proposal was submitted in January 2024 by EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks. Kuwohi had previously been known as Clingmans Dome, a name given in 1859 after a survey by geographer Arnold Guyot, who named it for Thomas Lanier Clingman, a North Carolina lawyer, U.S. senator, and Confederate brigadier general.
The renaming of Kuwohi is a restoration of Cherokee history and a meaningful step in preserving their culture. Each year, the National Park Service closes Kuwohi for three half-days to allow predominantly Cherokee schools to visit and learn about the mountain’s history.
Kuwohi attracts more than 650,000 visitors annually, being the third-highest peak east of the Mississippi River. For visitors from Hayesville, NC, Kuwohi is approximately a two-hour drive, covering a distance of around 80 miles.
댓글