The Comanche Indian Tribe by Claire

                Have you heard of “The Warriors” of the plains? These warriors are also known as the Comanche tribe. The Comanche lived a life that was devoted to warfare, their many rivals, their tribal life, and much more intriguing information. No doubt, the largest part of the Comanche’s life was warfare, such as raiding white settlers or other tribes.

                War and conflict was a large part of the Comanche lifestyle. The Comanche Indians were one of the last tribes to be defeated by the white settlers. However, they were eventually defeated by the whites’ superior resources and bigger numbers of whites. The Comanche also had many raids mostly on Texas and the surrounding areas. They were also known as one of the fiercest tribes of the plains. They also sought honor by brave acts. They craved to be looked up to because of brave acts in battle.

                One of the Comanche’s rivals were the Apache. The Apache are also divided into many branches. The Apache migrated to San Saba River and Rio Grande. This rivalry began when Comanche migrated down to Texas and Kansas.  Another one of the rivals were the Caddo tribe. They were their main and traditional enemy. The Europeans were also rivals. The Europeans brought many diseases. Much of the Comanche tribe died of the awful diseases.                

                Another important category of the Comanche life style is their tribal life. The bison was a large part of the Comanche lifestyle. They had a large bison hunt in late spring and early summer every year.  When Comanche migrated to Texas, a lot changed. For instance, they were much more independent than when they were a branch of the Shoshone tribe.       

                Some of the general information is also important and intriguing. The Comanche were allies with the Kiowa since about 1790. The Comanche also had many branches. They used to be a branch of the Shoshone. However, Comanche migrated from the Shoshone tribe to east Rocky Mountains, and then to present-day Kansas in 1719. Everyone in the tribe had their own religion. In the 1600s Comanche gained horses from raiding the Pueblo Indians. They also gained guns from the French in the 1740s.

                In conclusion, the Comanche were very devoted to their tribal life, their warfare, their many rivals, and much, much more intriguing information. The Comanche were a very strong tribe.

References

Birchfield, D.L. Comanche. Wisconsin: Gareth Stevens Publishing. 2004

“Comanche”. America  the Beautiful. 200 Grolier Online. 29 Oct. 2008

http://atb.grolier.com/cgi-binarticle?templatenane=topics.html&assetid=atb0878assettype=+ 

Kessel, William B., and Robert Wooster, eds. Comanche and warfare. Encyclopedia of Native

American Wars and Warfare New York: Facts on File, Inc. 2005. American Indian History Online Facts Inc.  http://www.fofwed.com/activelink2.asp?Item-ID WE43&ipin=ENAWO144&SingleRecord=True(accessed October 30, 2008).

 Steissguth, Thomas. Comanche. California: Lucent Books Inc. 2000

Waldman, Carl. “Comanche”. Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Third Edition 2006.

American Indian History fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE43&IPIN=ind23418 Single Record=True (accessed October 30, 2008)

The Comanche by McKenzie

                Do you know who “The Lords of the Plains” were? Well, “The Lords of the Plains” were the Comanche. They had a life of hunting, crafts, lots of exiting information, and their history and origins. Buffalo is one of the many things the Comanche hunted. They hunted many other good things.

                First, the Comanche were nomadic hunters, which means they followed their game. They ate buffalo, elk, and deer. They never planted or cultivated any crops. They went by foot when following their game, but horses replaced that in the 1800s when Spain brought horses to the U.S. They used bows and arrows to hunt. To make a good bow, it took many months. The bow was made out of a special kind of wood. To shoot an animal, they hung beside or under their horse.

                 Next, the Comanche made many things. The women’s dress was made out of red wool, elk teeth, buckskin, and ribbon. The man’s shirt was made out of leather, paint, and fringe. They also made shoes. The boots were made out of leather, beads, and metal buttons. The moccasins were made out of leather and metal, too.

                Third, the Comanche were great warriors. Many other tribes feared them. They were very ferocious. People called them “The Lords of the Plains.” The Comanche called themselves Numunh, which means “the people.” Their leader, Quanah, was the son of chief Nokoni. Quanah surrendered to the U.S. Army in 1875.

                Last, some of the Comanche’s history and origins are different, like their words. Some of the words are “ha," which means yes; “ke," which means no; “hubi," which is women; “aho," which means hello; and “kumah," which is man. People have two theories as to how the Comanche got here. One theory is that they crossed the Bering Strait.  Another one is that they traveled here by boat. Many people also thought they came from Asia. The Comanche brought peace with Spain, which lead to guns, pueblo pottery, and horses. Their friends were the Apache and the Kiowa. They lived on the same reservation. They also traveled together and hunted together.

                In conclusion, the Comanche were “The Lords of the Plains.” They hunted, made beautiful crafts, lots history and a very good life. I think this tribe had a good food sources, were very skilled, ferocious, and lots of good history.

Birchfeiled, D.L.  Comanche. Wisconsin: Garth Stevens Publishing 2004

Clark, C.B.  “Comanche Indians.” World book online Reference Center. 2008. [Place of access.] Nov. 4, 2008 <http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/artical?id=ar125320

“Comanche.” America the beautiful.2008.grolier online. 29 Oct. 2008. Grolier online. 29 Oct. 2008     <http://atb.grolier.com/cig-bin/

                     Templet name= topics.htmlSsetid=atb087&assettype=t7

Libal, Joyce Comanche. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers,2004

Rollings, Willard Huges. “Life on the Comancheria.” Comanche Indians of North America, Heritage Edition Philadelphia: Chelsea House      Publishers,2004.  American Indian history online facts on file, Inc.  <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?Item Id=      WE43&ibin=INACO03& singleRecord= true (accessed October 30, 2008)

Rollings, Willard. The Comanche.  Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2005

Shepered, Jeffery P. “Quanah” World Book Online Reference Center. 2008.[place of access] 4 Nov. 2008

                <http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/artical?id=ar 125320>

Last Updated Dec. 10, 2008