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Cultural Perspectives on Human-Horse Relationships: The Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, 1982 Available at www.sciquest.org.nz CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN-HORSE RELATIONSHIPS: THE CROW INDIANS OF MONTANA Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence Perceptions of animals and the nature of interactions with those animals are to a large extent determined by the par- ticular culture and society to which individuals belong. It is essential for veterinarians or others who plan to work within a certain livestock-oriented society to have an understanding of the attitudes toward animals which are characteristic of that group. To be truly successful and beneficial to the society, any programs carried out in an alien culture must be based upon a thorough knowledge of the ways in which animals are integrated into peoples lives and a recognition of the vast differences which may exist between the natives views of animals and those of the Western world. The example of the Crow Indians of Montana, a tribe among which I have carried out anthropological field research (1975-1980), represents a clear illustration of the prob- lems which can arise when two diverse cultures come into conflict. The Crow tribe is noteworthy as one group of native Americans which has kept much of its traditional culture intact. Working among contemporary Crows, I found that what the horse has come to signify for them is the result of the past history and traditional culture of their tribe combined with the conditions imposed upon them by modern reservation life. The Crows views regarding their horses contrast sharply in many respects with those held by the dominant white culture, particularly the members of that culture who live in proximity to the reservation and often interact with the natives. Hostility is almost in- evitable in such cases, and the animals often become the focus of clashing ideologies. To fully understand presentday relationships with horses among the Crows, one must first look to the past. Although horses have been closely interwoven with human history and Veterinary Anthropologist, Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Medicine, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. 475 Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, 1982 Available at www.sciquest.org.nz culture in many different times and places, perhaps no human-horse relationship has been more dramatic than that exemplified by the Indians of the North American Plains, whose life and culture were so profoundly transformed by their acquisition of the horse. Indeed, the way of life which developed among the Plains tribes as a result of be- ing mounted became their societys most distinctive feature. It is this period of tribal history between the introducti- on of the horse and the end of nomadic life by which Plains Indians are still characterized, not only by scholars and the general public, but by the natives themselves. It is important to remember that even today, Plains Indians like the Crows continue to look back to the Horse Era of their history with nostalgia and enduring pride. THE HORSE IN PLAINS INDIAN HISTORY For such peoples as the Crows, who acquired the animals early in the 18th Century, the ccming of horses vastly im- proved the quality of life in countless ways. The equine animal revolutionized transportation, making it incom- parably faster and easier. Utilizing the power of the horse made possible larger and more comfortable lodges and the possession of more material goods, since horses could carry far heavier loads than dogs or human beings. Bison hunting, formerly carried out on foot, was transformed into an exciting equestrian pursuit as well as a quicker way to obtain meat. Plains Indian warfare took on new dimensions of intensity, as braves were infinitely more mobile and effective as mounted warriors. Plains Indian horsemen be- came legendary among the worlds most skillful riders. Through their close partnership with the animals they seem- ed to become as one with their horses. Certain Plains tribes earned a reputation among the white soldiers who were sent to fight against them as the greatest light cav- alry in the world. Intertribal horse raiding became a major exploit for the warriors, and capturing prized horses from an enemy was considered an honorable occupation. It was a feat which required reckless courage and could lead to advanced status within a society where fortitude was required for survival. Because horses were involved in almost every aspect of Plains Indian society, there developed a relationship with the animals which went beyond the utilitarian, and was ul- timately crystallized into a new value system. Horses became the tribes most treasured possessions. Abundance and quality in ownership of horses were synonymous with prestige and wealth. Horses were the medium of exchange in trade, comprised payment for a bride, and were given away 476 Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, 1982 Available at www.sciquest.org.nz at ceremonies and celebrations to express kinship ties and bestow honor. From time immemorial Plains Indian world view had encom- passed a belief in the unity of all forms of life and a respect for animals as partners. Thus it was natural that horses became part of the human spiritual and aesthetic spheres, as well as the pragmatic. The horse was not only a co-worker, but could also act as intermediary between the human and the supernatural force, and was able to communi- cate with certain individuals. Plains people, out of admiration, often turned to horses for artistic expression, depicting them on important items such as war shields, lodgeskins, and religious objects. CROW REACTION TO LOSS OF HORSES One of the most tragic aspects of the Plains natives lives after they were placed upon reservations was the cessation of active participation in the horse-related activities which they had formerly enjoyed as mounted nomads. For the Crows, adverse reaction to this loss was a significant fac- tor contributing to the difficult adjustment to a sedentary existence. The glories of past times were to be forever indelible in their memory. Horses, above all else, had given their life meaning and their culture its distinctive- ness, making them a proud and respected people. Without horses, the native Americans were dispirited, and tribal pride was at low ebb. Forced removal by the government of a large number of Crow horses during the early 1900s caused deep and lasting sorrow within Crow society and con- tributed to cultural disintegration. White stockmen and ranchers, with an eye toward leasing some of the finest grazing land on the continent, justified the decimation of Crow horses through their own utilitarian ethos. The so-called "worthless" horses that were shot or shipped away had been occupying land which, in their view, could more profitably be used for commercial enterprise. Such an attitude was alien to the cultural outlook of the Indians, and native perceptions held that Crow land should be available for grazing horse herds, just as it always had been. This was a large part of what made their homeland distinctive -- a vital link to their heritage. Adding to the bitterness between natives and whites was the Crows strong taboo against deliberately injuring or killing horses. This tradition, originating out of gratitude to- ward the animal who had once so greatly improved their lives, is still honored by traditional Crows, many of whom continue to believe that mistreating or killing a horse 477 Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, 1982 Available at www.sciquest.org.nz will result in extreme bad luck for the perpetrator. CROW HORSES IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES In recent times, the Crows were fortunate in being able to bring about a return of horses to their reservation, and the people of the tribe have experienced renewed involve- ment with the animals. Initially, this return of horses was due to the efforts of a native Crow reservation super- intendent, who knew first-hand the great importance of horses in his peoples culture. Programs were set up to revitalize reservation life by bringing back horses and im- proving their quality. This helped immeasurably in reviving Crow spirit and pride. Crow horses are now plentiful, and have been adapted to activities compatible with reservation life such as rodeos, parades, races, 4-H projects, and pleasure riding. For many Crows, such events serve to give direction and purpose to a life in which they feel they are a deprived minority. The satisfactions derived from the prevalence of horses on tribal lands is a source of encouragement in facing the difficult problems of daily existence which Crows feel are imposed upon them by the dominant white society. Thus horses remain an integral part of modern Crow Indian life and culture, not outdated relics from the vividly remem- bered past. Horses are still part of virtually every important traditional ritual, and valued mounts are still given away on important occasions. Horses have retained their status as the most treasured of gifts, and their be- stowal cements significant social relationships. Not every person on the reservation today interacts with animals closely or individually -- as by riding them or participat- ing in horse-related contests -- though a large majority do. For others, though, there is the deep satisfaction of seeing horse herds still grazing on their ancestral home- land. This is the way life ought to be for Crow people, they feel. Absence of horses often means lack of a sense of identity for people who say "To be a Crow is to be close to horses. Horses are part of our nature, and without them were sunk. To separate us from horses, you might as well take one of our family away.
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