Cynthia Zavala tells of native forbears

Cynthia Tarvin Zavala  is on the Saturday afternoon schedule in Mobile.

Cynthia grew up in Alabama raised by her Mother because of her Father’s struggles with alcoholism and finally his death when she was eleven years old. She never knew of her strong lineage to the Mvskoke and Cherokee people until adulthood. Always feeling a connection, she started her search in her twenties to find out about her Father’s people. She was thrilled to find how much rich history there was in her family. She is a direct descendant of Sehoy Tait, Wind Clan of the Creek; a descendant of the Panther clan of the creek; a descendant of a Tukabatchi Chief of the upper Creeks once living in Alabama; her Cherokee ancestors lived in New Echota during the Indian Removal (Trail of Tears).

Cynthia still resides in her Ancestors homeland of Alabama, A place she says is as much a part of her as the air she breathes, surrounded by their spirits.

She is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Tribe. She was a member of her Tribes all Woman drum group for several years. Now she has stepped away from the big drum and plays her hand drum to “Sing the Message of Spirit”. November is a very busy month for Cynthia, her “Apache” husband Jesse and their children and grandchildren. November being Native American History month, they are called to educate in schools throughout Alabama, teaching the History of the Indigenous peoples that once lived in Alabama and sharing with song drumming and dancing. 

Cynthia will share her experiences with us at the hotel on Saturday afternoon following the luncheon at Bellingrath Gardens. We are hopeful her talented grandchildren will be able to accompany her to dance and join in song.

See her website:  http://www.spirittravelers.com/.