The ComancheNomads of the Southern Plains

IntroductionThere is much to learn about the Comanche, or as they call themselves, the Numunuh. Throughout this presentation you will learn about the past and present history of the Comanche people.

Main Points within Presentation:• The Comanche and their Traditional Life (traditions)•Role of Men, Women and Children within the tribe (food)•How Geographic characteristics influenced the Comanche (tools/shelter)•References

The Comanche and their

Traditional Life

Traditional Life of the Comanche• The Comanche were a mobile people who lived in teepees • They moved their camp to follow herds of buffalo that

they hunted for survival• Buffalo were very important to the Comanche people

they used them in the following ways: they ate their meat, used their skin to make clothing and teepees, used their stomachs to carry water, the bones to make cups and spoons and the sinew to sew clothing

The Comanche• The Comanche call themselves the “Numunuh” meaning

the people• They are plains Indians who originally lived in the Great

Plains• Today there are roughly 10,000 Comanche people in the

United States

Roles within the tribe

Comanche MenComanche men also completed important jobs within the tribe. They were responsible for: hunting buffalo in the summer, making weapons, trading with other tribes, teaching children how to hunt and how to ride a horse on a hunt

Comanche WomenComanche women played an important role within the tribe. They accomplished the following tasks: built shelters, tanned buffalo hides, set up and took down teepees, sewed clothes, took care of children, gathered firewood and food, prepared food and made teepees

Comanche ChildrenComanche girls watched and listened to their mothers to learn how to perform all the tasks expected of women later in life. They practiced sewing dolls and learned to cook by helping their mothers.Comanche boys spent much time with their grandfathers learning how to make weapons and hunting techniques such as shooting from below a horse to prepare them for manhood.

How Geographic characteristics influenced the Comanche

Shelter: The Comanche were nomadic hunters whose movements were determined by buffalo herds. Therefore, they made teepees from buffalo hide which were portable, waterproof and large enough to accommodate up to twenty people. Customs: The Comanche’s way of life was affected by their environment, their lifestyle was highly dependent on buffalo. They practiced their own type of religion based on their belief of spirits that aided them in everyday life.

Food: The Comanche lived on the plains and much of their food was derived from the buffalo, a common plains animal before the 17th Century.Clothing: The Comanche made their clothes using animal hide and sinew. The buffalo hide was tanned and softened by the women of the tribe.

ReferencesImage: 'Buena Vista: Abandoned Comanche Drive-In Theater' http://www.flickr.com/photos/80547277@N00/6073910660Englar, Mary. The Comanche. (2004) Capstone Press, Mankato Minnesota.

Image: 'Kiowa Three-Hide Dress' http://www.flickr.com/photos/93752018@N00/2134504403Image: 'Flag Indigenous People, Comanche Nation, United States' http://www.flickr.com/photos/24842486@N07/3443694734http://www.native-languages.org/kids.htmhttp://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/Curriculum%20Info/NativeAmericans/index.htmlImage: 'Teepee' http://www.flickr.com/photos/53323105@N02/5947093873

Websites

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/indians6.html

http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home