Before the invention of the syllabary, the Cherokee people had a rich oral tradition and used various methods of communication, including:
* Pictographs: These were simple drawings that represented ideas or objects.
* Knotted strings: Like the quipu used by the Inca, these strings could be used to record information.
* Oral storytelling: This was a vital way to pass down history, culture, and knowledge.
The development of the syllabary was a revolutionary moment in Cherokee history. It allowed for widespread literacy and the preservation of the Cherokee language and culture in written form.
However, it's important to remember that the Cherokee oral tradition continued even after the invention of the syllabary. Storytelling and the transmission of knowledge through spoken word remained essential parts of Cherokee life.