Kuwohi: The Timeless Summit of Smoky Mountains Reclaims Its Cherokee Name

Oct 15, 2024 By Jasper

In a historic decision, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has returned its highest peak to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi, over 150 years after it was named for a Confederate general. The US Board of Geographic Names voted in favor of changing the name from Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi, which translates to "mulberry place" in Cherokee, following a request from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

=======广告填充位置========

A Sacred Connection Restored

"The Great Smoky National Park team was proud to support this effort to officially restore the mountain and to recognize its importance to the Cherokee People," said Superintendent Cassius Cash in a news release. The Cherokee have long held strong connections to Kuwohi, a place they consider sacred and central to their traditional homeland.

Preserving History and Heritage

Kuwohi, visible from the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a place of spiritual significance and historical learning. Each year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closes the peak for three half-days to allow predominantly Cherokee schools to visit and learn about the mountain's rich history and the Cherokee people's enduring legacy.

A Popular Destination

As the most visited national park in the United States, with over 650,000 visitors annually, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park shares the stories of its lands, including the peak that was once known as Clingmans Dome. The name change is part of an ongoing effort to honor and respect the indigenous history and culture that predates the establishment of the park.

A Name Change Proposal

The proposal to restore the peak's original name was submitted in January by Michell Hicks, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The decision by the US Board of Geographic Names to revert to the Cherokee name is a significant step towards acknowledging and celebrating the Cherokee's deep-rooted connection to the land.

Moving Forward Together

The National Park Service is committed to working alongside the Cherokee People to share their story and preserve the landscape that has been a part of their heritage for generations. The renaming of Kuwohi is not just a change of label but a recognition of the cultural significance and the rightful place of the Cherokee People in the history of the Smoky Mountains.

Recommend Posts
Travel

Journeys andjuvenation: How Travel Can Combat Aging

By Quentin/Oct 15, 2024

Travel News Roundup: The Anti-Aging Elixir, Hippo Hype, and the Cruise Dream That Sank
Travel

2024 Bird Photography Awards: Penguins Catching Waves and Falcons on the Hunt Among the Triumphant Shots

By Ophelia/Oct 15, 2024

Dramatic shots of a peregrine falcon in pursuit of a butterfly, a vulture's grim feast on a black bear, and a penguin's surfing adventure have claimed top honors at the Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 competition. Now in its ninth year, the contest not only celebrates the splendor of avian life but also sheds light on the challenges birds face in a human-dominated world.
Travel

Muğla: The Hidden Gem of the Mediterranean Coast

By Niamh/Oct 15, 2024

Emerald Peaks and Azure Seas: Unveiling Muğla's Hidden Treasures
Travel

Kuwohi: The Timeless Summit of Smoky Mountains Reclaims Its Cherokee Name

By Jasper/Oct 15, 2024

In a historic decision, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has returned its highest peak to its original Cherokee name, Kuwohi, over 150 years after it was named for a Confederate general. The US Board of Geographic Names voted in favor of changing the name from Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi, which translates to "mulberry place" in Cherokee, following a request from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Travel

Luxury Retreat in Peloponnese: Costa Navarino, a Rival to Greece's Island Paradises

By Aiden/Oct 15, 2024

Discovering Costa Navarino: Greece's Emerging Luxury Mainland Rival to the Islands
Travel

Time Out's Top Neighborhood to Visit in 2024

By Mira/Oct 15, 2024

Discovering the Undiscovered: Time Out's Coolest Neighborhoods for 2024
Travel

Unspoiled Surf Paradise: Angola's Hidden Gem for Wave Riders

By Lachlan/Oct 15, 2024

Travel

Rome Considering Restrictions for Trevi Fountain Visitors

By Giselle/Oct 15, 2024

Rome is considering restrictions on visitor access to the iconic Trevi Fountain to manage overcrowding and preserve the historical site.
Travel

Discovering Las Vegas: A Surprising Hotspot for Family Fun

By Niamh/Oct 15, 2024

Las Vegas: A Thriving Family-Friendly Destination with Cutting-Edge Attractions
Travel

The planet endures its hottest summer on record — for the second straight year

By Tatiana/Oct 15, 2024

The summer of 2024 has set a new global heat record for the second consecutive year, making it likely the hottest year ever recorded, according to data from Copernicus, Europe's climate change service. The period from June to August was the hottest on record since 1940, with temperatures 0.69°C above the 1991-2020 average. This surpasses the previous summer's record by a slight margin of 0.03°C. The 12 months from September 2023 to August 2024 were also the warmest on record, being 1.64°C warmer than pre-industrial levels. Scientists warn that the continued emission of greenhouse gases from human activities is driving up global temperatures, leading to extreme heat, deadly heatwaves, wildfires, and storms. The record-breaking temperatures are a stark reminder of the urgent need to reduce emissions to prevent more devastating consequences.
Travel

Death Valley National Park has its hottest summer on record

By Mira/Oct 15, 2024

Death Valley National Park has recorded its hottest meteorological summer ever, with an average temperature of 104.5°F (40.3°C) from June to August, according to the National Park Service. This surpasses the previous record set in 2018 and tied in 2021. July was particularly brutal, with the park's weather station at Furnace Creek registering its hottest month, including nine consecutive days of 125°F (51.7°C) or higher. The summer's highest temperature was 129.2°F (54°C) on July 7. Overnight lows averaged 91.9°F (33.3°C), offering little respite. The extreme heat led to numerous incidents, including two fatalities where heat was a contributing factor. Despite it being September, temperatures are expected to remain over 100°F into early October. Visitors are advised to take precautions such as staying near air-conditioned vehicles, hydrating, and wearing protective gear. The park's low elevation, with Badwater Basin at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, contributes to the intense heat as hot air gets trapped in the valley.
Travel

Europe's Hidden Gems: Secluded Islands for an Escape from the Crowds

By Uri/Oct 15, 2024

Europe's Hidden Gems: Off-the-Beaten-Path Islands for Solitude and Natural Beauty
Travel

Europe's Hidden Gems: Secluded Islands for an Escape from the Crowds

By Rowan/Oct 15, 2024

Europe's Hidden Gems: Off-the-Beaten-Path Islands for Solitude and Natural Beauty