Cheyenne military societies

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Cheyenne military societies were one of the two central institutions of traditional Cheyenne Indian tribal governance, the other being the Council of Forty-four. While council chiefs were responsible for overall governance of individual bands and the tribe as a whole, the chiefs or headmen of military societies were in charge of maintaining discipline within the tribe, overseeing tribal hunts and ceremonies, and providing military leadership.[1] Council chiefs selected which of the six military societies would assume these duties; after a period of time on-duty, the chiefs would select a different society to take up the duties.[2]

Contents

[edit] Four original societies

These four societies were the original Cheyenne military societies established by the prophet Sweet Medicine. Over the ages, some have developed branches or have transformed.

[edit] Fox

Fox Warriors Society (Vóhkêséhetaneo'o or Monêsóonetaneo'o),[3] also known as Swift Fox or Kitfox. This society is found among both the Northern and the Southern Cheyenne.

Coyote Warriors Society (O'ôhoménotâxeo'o)[3] is a branch of the Fox Warriors Society.

Flintmen Society (Motsêsóonetaneo'o)[3] is a branch of the Fox Warriors Society.

[edit] Elk

Elk Warriors Society (Vóhkêséhetaneo'o or Monêsóo) also known as Elk Horn Scrapers, Bone Scraper Society, Hoof Rattle, Crooked Lance, Headed Lance or Medicine Lance.[4] This society is found among both the Northern and the Southern Cheyenne. This was the society of the famous warrior Roman Nose, and also of the mixed-blood Cheyenne George Bent.

[edit] Shield

Shield Warriors Society (Ma'êhoohevaso),[3] also known as Red Shield.[5] This society was originally found in both the Northern and the Southern Cheyenne, but today is found only among the Northern Cheyenne.

Buffalo Warriors (Hotóanótâxeo'o),[3] also known as Buffalo Bull or Bull.[6] This society is a branch of the Shield Warriors Society.

[edit] Bowstring

Bowstring Men (Héma'tanóohese),[3] also known as the Owl Man's Bowstring. This society was originally found in both the Northern and the Southern Cheyenne, but today is found only among the Southern Cheyenne.[6]

Wolf Warriors Society (Ho'néhenótâxeo'o).[3] Among the Southern Cheyenne, this is the alternate name for the Bowstring Men. This society developed out of the Bowstring Men in the 19th Century by a vision held by Owl Friend.[6]

[edit] Fifth society

Dog Warrior Society (Hotamétaneo'o),[3] also known as Dog Men. This society was also called Dog Soldiers by the whites. The Dog Warrior Society was established by a directive given in a visionary dream after the prophet Sweet Medicine's departure. This society was originally found in both the Northern and the Southern Cheyenne, but today is found only among the Southern Cheyenne.[6]

Crazy Dogs (Hotamémâsêhao'o),[3] also known as Foolish Dogs. This society is similar to the Bowstring Men in function but found only among the Northern Cheyenne. Among the Northern Cheyenne, Dog Warrior Society and Wolf Warriors merged, which resulted in the development of the new breed of Dog Warriors now called the Crazy Dogs. The Crazy Dogs are considered by many to be a sixth society instead of a branch of the fifth society.[6]

[edit] Sixth society

Contrary Warriors Society (Hohnóhkao'o),[3] also known as the Inverted Bow-string Society. Its members, the Contrary Warriors, have proved in bravery by riding backward into battle.[7]

Contrary Society , also known as Clown Society.[6] This society draws upon the same spiritual powers as the Contrary Warriors Society; this society was primarily composed of Cheyenne elders and may be a mature variation of the Contrary Warriors Society. They were charged with educating the Cheyenne ceremonial ways of the cultural "dos" and "don'ts" through humour, sarcasm and satire, in a fashion that is contrary to the normalcy of traditional Cheyenne culture.

[edit] Women's Society

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[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Greene 2004, p. 9.
  2. ^ Hyde 1968, p. 336.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Cheyenne Dictionary societies. Chief Dull Knife College (September 5, 2007). Retrieved on September 20, 2007.
  4. ^ Llewellyn & Hoebel, p. 99
  5. ^ Llewellyn & Hoebel, pp. 99-100
  6. ^ a b c d e f Llewellyn & Hoebel, p. 100
  7. ^ Hyde 1968, p. 337.

[edit] References