Comanche Daily Life Comanche bands stayed in camps near streams. The women did most of the work in camp. They took care of young children. They Comanche arrowhead made from stone and attached Waste Nothing built cone-shaped houses called tepees (TEE-peez). They sewed to the end of a spear The Comanche used every clothes, cooked, and gathered firewood and wild plants. part of a bison. They ate its meat and organs. Comanche men were good hunters. They tracked bison, elk, and The band chief and his council decided bears. Comanche warriors fought to protect their hunting grounds. Women used the skin when a band should move. Comanche for tepees and clothing. They raided their enemies for horses and food. They killed the men women would make a travois (truh-VOI), They carried water in and captured women and children. The women became slaves, and or sled, out of tepee poles and bison skin. bison stomachs. Bones some of the children were adopted into the band. They would pack the travois and unload it and horns made tools. Sinew, or tendons, became Children were very important to the Comanche. New members at the next campsite. made bands stronger, especially boys. They learned how to hunt and thread and bowstrings. Tough rawhide made make bows and arrows. Women taught girls how to sew and cook. saddles, moccasin soles, Both boys and girls learned how to ride horses. and drums. Comanche saddle Comanche tepee Vision Quest and travois The Comanche believed each person had “medicine,” or spiritual power. Every young man had a vision quest, or spiritual journey. He went into the hills alone for four days. The spirits sent him a vision that gave him spiritual powers. Men needed strong medicine to win battles and hunt.

12 13 Keeping Their Today, many of the live in western Oklahoma. They gather to Cultures celebrate special events. They wear ancient Caddo clothes to festivals. They Chief White Bread Alive serve fried bread and other Caddo The Caddo Today foods. The Caddo also sing and dance White Bread White Bread was a to their ancestors’ songs. They work In 1928, a report linked respected Caddo leader hard to keep the Caddo culture alive. American Indian poverty from 1902 to 1913. He led to land plots that could ceremonies. In these ceremonies, there not be farmed. In 1934, was a Ghost Dance pole Congress passed the Indian painted black for death Reorganization Act. It and green for renewal. As stopped land allotments. It a chief, White Bread often also returned reservation went to Washington, DC, to fight for Caddo rights. lands to American Indians. Many American Indian Caddo Dances tribes became federally The Turkey Dance is a recognized tribes by the women’s dance that starts American government. This Caddo dancers off every Caddo festival. means they became free Songs about Caddo history nations with their own laws. are sung during the Turkey Dance. Men and boys These tribes also receive special funding and land rights. perform the Drum Dance The , , and Natchitoches became federally in the evening. They carry recognized as the Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma in 1938. The a drum in a circle. They Caddo started their own tribal government. In 2002, they changed also sing songs about their name to The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Caddo women start the beginning of Caddo the Turkey Dance. people on Earth.

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