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Southern Arapaho: The Civilization of the American Indian

Efrain Powell

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Published in Chief Left Hand: Southern Arapaho (The Civilization Of The American Indian 159)

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The Southern Arapaho were a Native American tribe that lived in the Southern Plains region of the United States. They were known for their skilled horsemanship, their distinctive tipis, and their strong spiritual beliefs.

Chief Left Hand: Southern Arapaho (The Civilization of the American Indian 159)

Chief Left Hand: Southern Arapaho (The Civilization of the American Indian Series Book 159)

by Margaret Coel

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6343 KB
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Print length	:	380 pages

Origins and History

The Southern Arapaho are believed to have originated from the Great Lakes region. They migrated west to the Plains in the 17th century, following the herds of buffalo that they relied on for food and shelter. By the 19th century, they had established a territory in what is now Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.

The Southern Arapaho were a nomadic people, moving from place to place to follow the buffalo herds. They lived in tipis, which were cone-shaped tents made of buffalo hide. Tipis were easy to transport and could be quickly assembled and disassembled.

Culture and Beliefs

The Southern Arapaho were a deeply spiritual people. They believed in a Great Spirit, who created the world and all living things. They also believed in a number of other spirits, including the spirits of animals, plants, and natural phenomena.

The Southern Arapaho had a rich oral tradition. They told stories about their history, their beliefs, and their heroes. They also sang songs and performed dances that were connected to their spiritual beliefs.

Warfare and Hunting

The Southern Arapaho were skilled warriors. They fought against other tribes, including the Comanche, the Cheyenne, and the Sioux. They were also skilled hunters. They hunted buffalo, antelope, deer, and other animals for food and clothing.

Decline and Assimilation

In the 19th century, the Southern Arapaho were forced to give up their traditional way of life. The United States government forced them to live on reservations, and their hunting grounds were taken away from them. The Southern Arapaho were forced to assimilate into white society, and many of their traditions were lost.

Today, the Southern Arapaho live on reservations in Wyoming and Oklahoma. They have preserved some of their traditional culture, but they have also adopted many aspects of white society. The Southern Arapaho are a proud and resilient people, and they continue to work to preserve their culture and traditions.

The Southern Arapaho were a fascinating and complex people. They had a rich culture and a strong spiritual beliefs. They were also skilled warriors and hunters. However, the Southern Arapaho were forced to give up their traditional way of life in the 19th century. Today, they live on reservations and have adopted many aspects of white society. However, they continue to preserve some of their traditional culture and traditions.

Chief Left Hand: Southern Arapaho (The Civilization of the American Indian Series Book 159)

by Margaret Coel

4.6 out of 5