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1. Literally, “Hello, friend.” 2. It is not clear if pre-reservation Comanches branded horses. They must have been aware of them, for there are several Mexican period edicts prohibiting the purchase of branded horses from Comanches (Kavanagh 1996:207–8). For the reservation period, James Inkanish’s (a Caddo) brand book for the Kiowa, Comanche, Apache-Wichita-Caddo-Delaware Agency, 1879–1888, is in Box 29 of the C. Ross Hume papers in the Western History Collection at the University of Oklahoma. 33 The 1933 Field Party Notes HERMAN ASENAP June 30–July 1, 1933 Etiquette One said hahaitsI‘friend’1 (in greeting). A visitor first stated his business, and then inquired as to his host’s affairs. Indians are now suspicious. Economy: Trade There was trade with Mexico; horses for nuts, etc.; ten to twenty dollars per horse. Horses The early Comanches had family-owned brands for stock2 ; all stock was turned out on the range. Comanches gelded horses. Captives Herman’s father was captured [while gathering beans] as very small boy, along with his two brothers [boys], and was later adopted into a Comanche family. [He was given full tribal status.] Captives were adopted by families that had no children. Herman’s father was a Mexican (?). As an adult, he was given the chance to return to his old home, but he refused. [He was returned to Mexico by the Indians, but he refused to leave the tribe. He participated in raids.] Political Organization: C Chiefs: Leadership Leadership was achieved through bravery in war only. Old braves were very rare. Leadership was never attained by generosity or sagacity alone. War: Cowardice Cowardice in battle was a deep disgrace. Captives Adopted children had the same privileges of attaining leadership as did full bloods. 34 Comanche Ethnography 1. Stacey Matlock, a Kitkihahki (Republican) Pawnee, had been a consultant for a number of anthropologists in the 1920s and 1930s, including James Murie and George Dorsey. This is probably a comment from Linton based on his work with the Murie and Dorsey manuscripts in the Field Museum. 2. Cruz Portillo was also known as Kodose. The 1885 census gives his English name as ‘Cross’, but that is simply a translation of the Spanish cruz, not a translation of kodose; the meaning of that latter name is unclear. There is a good deal of confusion about Cruz/Kodose. The Family Record Book lists him as fullblood Comanche, with his father listed as Quenakesuit (kwina ‘eagle’, kesuatÛ ‘mean’, Bad Eagle), his mother as Chahwabitty (no translation given). Neither name appears on any census. Joe Attocknie (MS) states that he was full blood Comanche. Frank Chekovi (August 4) states that he was a Mexican captured by Comanches. Still others, such as Wedel here, call him a “half-blood” or “breed.” Cruz was first listed on the 1885 census as leader of a small (twenty-four people) local band. At one point he was married to the sisters Tonarcy and Erksey, until Quanah stole Tonarcy about 1891. In this note, Wedel recorded that Cruz was a “scout against the Mexicans,” while in the next note, Hoebel recorded that he was a scout “with the Mexicans.” Joe Attocknie (MS) says that he was captured by the Mexicans, served in the Mexican Army against the Comanches, and ultimately returned to them. 3. This was Tonarcy; see Index. War: Values It was better to die than to retreat. Medicine: Vision Quest An Indian could attain protective medicine, forexample, by visiting alone to a medicine man’s grave and praying to the sun and earth (?). There was no fasting so far as Herman knew. Life Cycle: Family Boys Boys were desired rather than girls, as protectors [and to bring honor to the family]. Life Cycle: Adolescent Lodge At age eighteen, a boy was given a separate tipi for a sleeping place. His mother was his housekeeper, and his sisters must keep away. [This was his first home after marriage.] [If there were several unmarried sons, they all lived in one tipi; when one married, another tipi was built.] Life Cycle: Marriage A girl’s husband was selected by her father. Marriage was not at an early age. A girl’s brother could give his sister to a close personal friend, with or without her father’s consent. The Comanches always wanted harmony (social control). Social Roles: Slaves There were no slaves among the Comanches. Captives [Captive women often belonged to the men who captured them.] Etiquette: Gifts Gifts, publicly...

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