Kiowa Indians: who are they?

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The Kiowa Indians were a nomadic tribe that followed buffalo herds for food and lived in teepees. They were close allies with the Comanche and used dogs as pets before horses. They are known for their art and had a social class based on wealth and family ties.

The Kiowa Indians are an American Indian tribe recognized by the federal government of the United States. The tribe originally lived in the US states of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, but were forced onto a reservation in Oklahoma in the 1800s. Most members of the tribe continue to live in Oklahoma today.
In the early days, the Kiowa Indians were a nomadic tribe and followed the trail of buffaloes because the animals provided a good source of food. The Kiowa lived in tents known as teepees, which were ideal for such a nomadic tribe – they were very easy to move on short notice and transport to their next location. While their constant movement was almost entirely due to the fact that their main food source came from buffalo herds, the tribe also ate vegetables, such as berries and plants. The Kiowa Indians were a hunter-gatherer tribe: the men did the hunting and the women did the running of the house and the gathering of fruits and vegetables. However, women didn’t just cook and clean that house; they were actually responsible for setting up and tearing down the family’s teepee and taking it with them when they moved.

The Kiowa Indians were close allies with another American Indian tribe known as the Comanche. The Kiowa tribe became famous for traveling very long distances to raid. The two tribes often joined forces to raid Texas.

Before the introduction of horses to the United States, the Kiowa used dogs as pets of choice to help them carry materials around. In fact, when the Kiowa first saw a horse, they believed it to be a new type of gigantic dog, hence the name the tribe coined for horses: sacred dogs, which the tribe still uses to describe horses today.

The Kiowa are also famous for their art, especially their beadwork and paintings. Kiowa beadwork is typically created from natural elements such as stone, animal bone, and shells. The tribe also began using glass in their art following its introduction to the United States by early settlers.

The Kiowa managed a social class within the tribe based on wealth and family ties. Interestingly, members of the tribe could actually move up the social strata. One could improve one’s social status through good deeds or a strong work ethic, but one could also move down in class if one were judged for doing dishonorable acts.




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