Kiowa song Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Kiowa song - Essay Example According the legends, Kiowa belonged to the Yellowstone River territories in Western Montana from where they migrated to the Black Hills. Their culture primarily centered on their associations with the Buffalo. Nearly all aspects of Kiowa life had internalized buffalo. For instance, their tepees, clothes, and moccasins were all prepared with buffalo skin. They used the whole buffalo for several daily life functions. In addition, buffalo had been central to Kiowa religion which is expressed in many rituals. For instance, Sun Dance, healing prayers, and ritualistic songs are strongly associated with Kiowa quest and honor for great buffalo herds (Hager). During nineteenth century, Kiowa culture was devastated by buffalo herd obliteration on Great Plains. With exceeding buffalo hunt by professional hunters, Kiowa culture and religion were also crushed. Buffalo hide served as a precursor of modern art tradition as Kiowa’s used it as their canvases for recording the intricate detai ls, story, and drawings of the fall of nomadic culture. In their encounter with white culture, imprisoned Kiowa warriors expressed their nostalgia and sorrow to ledger-book drawings. These drawings were acknowledged by white culture as elaborate roots of Indian art (Hager). Kiowa songs and dances originated from the tribal tradition and experiences of death and life.