Comanche Indians

The Native Comanche Indians once ruled the largest area of land claimed by one tribe. Their territory consisted of the hills mountains, plains and rivers from Colorado to the Rio Grande in southern Texas. This plentiful area called the "Great American Desert" was rich with buffalo, deer, antelope, bear and wolves. These animals were often hunted, with the exception of the wolf, by the Comanche for their daily diet. Subsisted by wild potatoes, fruit, nuts and berries that were gathered by the women, their diet was often varied.

The Comanche were great horsemen and learned to ride at a very young age. Richness among members of the tribe was calculated by the number of horses owned by one family. The men and boys rode bareback using blankets rather then saddles. To prevent damage by chaparral to their legs, the men of the tribe wore leather britches and loin clothes as well as moccasins. From horseback the men learned to hunt and fight. The only weapons the Comanche used were lances, shields, bows and arrows and hunting knives for hand to hand combat.

The lifestyle of the men was described as hunting, fighting and loving women. The women however, were cooks, cleaners, child bearers, child raisers and gatherers. The Comanche were nomadic hunters and whenever the bands decided to move on, it was the women and children who broke down the hide tipis and prepared for the move.

As children grew, older men allowed the young to make mistakes in order to learn from them. This was an accepted lifestyle and the young men appreciated it. As men grew older their purpose in old age was to be among friends without boasting or proving one's manhood.

The Comanche Indians did not have a great many religious ceremonies celebrated throughout the year. The most important ceremony in a man's life was his vision quest. A boy would prepare for days and would be cleansed physically and spiritually. Afterwards he would find a secluded place to meditate and pray for days to see his vision. Often it would come in the shape of an animal or being. If a boy did not succeed the first time, he would try again until he could return to the village as a man. This was the first time a boy would witness "puha" or power. Comanche were not very superstitious, but they did believe that "puha" guarded their families and weapons. If a man possessed great "puha" and knowledge of ceremonies, medicines and herbs he was then given the name of medicine man.

As the white men came into Comanche territory they fought long and hard for the land they loved, but eventually, like all other tribes, the lost. Today there is little documentation of the present Comanche tribe, all that is left are stories, legends and the knowledge that these great people once ruled south western America.