The expansion to the west in America had inevitable consequences for the Indian tribes. The Arapahos were no exception and they too, were forced to abandon their traditional way of life and make adaptations. Today the majority of tribe members live in Oklahoma and Wyoming as two separate tribes. In the North, they received land from the Soshone and still live there together with them today. Those living in Oklahoma live with the Cheyennes. In the past, chiefs were elected by the tribal council. Now community leaders are appointed and they have their own laws, police force and other services. However, they are regarded as citizens of the United States and subject to U. S. Laws too.
Today, the language of this tribe has become endangered as children tend to grow up speaking English and do not want to learn it. The fact that different tribes ended up living together also affected preservation of individual languages. However, some feel the importance of keeping the language alive and teach it to the children.
These tribes used to hunt and grow corn but once horses were introduced by Europeans, they became expert riders and left their corn growing days behind. The fact that they could travel greater distances more speedily meant they could hunt more productively and trade more too. The horse became an important object of wealth for exchanging, trading and raiding.
When winter ended and the buffalo congregated for calving season, the tribes would come out of winter camps and hunt them. This was a time for various ceremonies to be held too. The same thing happened in rutting season when hunts were undertaken to accumulate hides and food the winter months. Bows and arrows were the weapons used and the men used these to hunt moose, deer and other game all through the year. They would roast the meat or make it into jerky. The women would collect plants, berries and roots for eating.
Buffalo hides were used to build teepees. The women used to scrape, tan, sew and decorate these hides. A favorite tool was a scraper made from the horn of an elk and the hide was stitched with an awl and animal sinew. Teepees were made to be set up and broken down quickly as tribes moved from place to place.
Animal hides were also used for clothing with the women wearing long dresses made of buckskin and the men wearing breech-cloth and leggings. Moccasins were worn on the feet and robes were also made of buffalo hide for warmth. Both men and women braided their hair. They would paint their faces bright colors for ceremonies.
Decoration was important to these people and clothing, bags, moccasins and even teepees showed their creative skills. They used beads, paint, feathers and dyed porcupine quills. The men would make the items they used for ceremonies, hunting and caring for their horses and the women made and decorated domestic items.
The tribe members of today speak English, wear mostly modern clothes like jeans and live in houses rather than teepees. This does not mean, however, that they have forgotten their heritage which is still extremely important to them. They maintain many traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Today, the language of this tribe has become endangered as children tend to grow up speaking English and do not want to learn it. The fact that different tribes ended up living together also affected preservation of individual languages. However, some feel the importance of keeping the language alive and teach it to the children.
These tribes used to hunt and grow corn but once horses were introduced by Europeans, they became expert riders and left their corn growing days behind. The fact that they could travel greater distances more speedily meant they could hunt more productively and trade more too. The horse became an important object of wealth for exchanging, trading and raiding.
When winter ended and the buffalo congregated for calving season, the tribes would come out of winter camps and hunt them. This was a time for various ceremonies to be held too. The same thing happened in rutting season when hunts were undertaken to accumulate hides and food the winter months. Bows and arrows were the weapons used and the men used these to hunt moose, deer and other game all through the year. They would roast the meat or make it into jerky. The women would collect plants, berries and roots for eating.
Buffalo hides were used to build teepees. The women used to scrape, tan, sew and decorate these hides. A favorite tool was a scraper made from the horn of an elk and the hide was stitched with an awl and animal sinew. Teepees were made to be set up and broken down quickly as tribes moved from place to place.
Animal hides were also used for clothing with the women wearing long dresses made of buckskin and the men wearing breech-cloth and leggings. Moccasins were worn on the feet and robes were also made of buffalo hide for warmth. Both men and women braided their hair. They would paint their faces bright colors for ceremonies.
Decoration was important to these people and clothing, bags, moccasins and even teepees showed their creative skills. They used beads, paint, feathers and dyed porcupine quills. The men would make the items they used for ceremonies, hunting and caring for their horses and the women made and decorated domestic items.
The tribe members of today speak English, wear mostly modern clothes like jeans and live in houses rather than teepees. This does not mean, however, that they have forgotten their heritage which is still extremely important to them. They maintain many traditions that have been passed down through generations.
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