Comanche (ka-MAN-shee) |
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 Waiting for the dance to begin, Comanche Homecoming Powwow Photo:© Raymond Bial |
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| Some say the Comanches of Oklahoma are the greatest horse riders in America. Their ancestors, called Lords of the Plains, trained and traded horses from North Dakota to Mexico. Did you know that Comanche riders could hold on with their feet around the mustang’s neck while galloping? The Comanches used to own thousands of horses. To prevent Comanches from defending their homelands, the U.S. Army killed most of their horses in the 1800s. | |||
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Today Comanches still love horses and own many ranches around tribal headquarters near Lawton, Oklahoma. Programs and summer day camps teach children to ride and to take care of the special mustangs. Medicine Hat and War Bonnet mustangs are breeds the Comanches developed. Horses need good, clean land, so the Comanche Environmental Protection Agency protects their territory from polluters. Besides horseback riding, Comanche young people compete in all kinds of sports, especially the ones that have a lot of running. Many excel in track, football, and basketball, and often win awards in school team sports. During the Comanche Nation Fair, competitions range from running to throwing horseshoes. Sports are a big part of Comanche children’s lives, but they are expected to do well in school, too. Comanches, like other Native Americans, consider education very important. There are special programs where children study the Comanche language. It is said that the largest percentage of Indian students enrolled in college are Comanches. Special programs teach Comanche sign language, history, dancing, manners, art, and much more. Comanche outfits are prized for their beautiful beadwork and feather work. Children learn how to make the clothing, which is worn on special occasions like powwows. They also learn how to do the Buffalo, Snake, and other dances. Many Comanches own private businesses, but the casino and some other enterprises belong to everyone in the nation. Some parents work on the Fort Sill military base. Many Comanches live in Texas, New Mexico, and California. In July everyone comes home for Comanche Homecoming. It’s a happy time with powwows, foods like atawaska (a dried corn dish), singing, games, and, of course, the wonderful mustangs. If you attend the Homecoming, you can see that the Comanches are still the Lords of the Plains. |
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More facts about Comanches |
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Children of Native America Today copyright 2003 Shakti for Children, Inc. Used with permission by Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc. |
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