The Plains Flashcards
What made living on the plains difficult
Enormous size Lack of trees Little water available Unpredictable weather Flat land Inhabited by wolves
Native American tribes
Sioux
Cheyenne
Community spirit on the plains
Whole tribe did the buffalo hunt
Honour to feed the old and weak
Old people voluntarily died on cold weather
Worst crime we’re not looking after parents
Horse stealing was admired
View of war
Based on ambush Didn't have I go to war Aim to capture horses and show bravery Bravest act was to coup Scalped their enemies to stop them going to an afterworld Stay alive to care for the family
Punishments and ways of life
Worst punishments was banishment
Marriage was easy and involved polygamy
Horses essential for survival
Way of life
Nomadic
Their god was the great spirit (wankan tanka) wanted them to live a life of continual moving
Food
Hunter-gatherers
Maize,squash,beans, turnips (asking permission from God before hand)
Deer, rabbits,ducks, turkeys (buffalo hunt on horseback
Men and women
Men hunted and went to war
Women, gathered food and looked after children
Women decorated clothes and tipis in the spare time (decor had a religious meaning)
Why did they live in tipis?
Warm in winter Cool in summer Protected from winds Easy to move Circular shape (the power of the world works in circles)
Importance of the buffalo!
Main source of food Dried meat (pemmican)- food through the winter Bones marrow to eat Bones- carved to make knives, boiled to make glue Skin ... tipis, coats, blankets Dung, fuel Horns and hooves - cups Sinews, bow strings and thread Fat as soap Rough tongue-- hairbrush Tail // fly swat
Religion
When a young man came of age he had to self harm, go into a trance and see an animal that was a spirit friend
(SUN DANCE)
BUFFALO DANCE- thought that it would bring them buffalo
Loved nature, called it their MOTHER
How they saw the land
It was put their by the great spirit to support mankind Didn't belong to anyone Could not be sold Beautiful Eternal and imperishable Farms were impossible
