Cheyenne Indians, an important Plains tribe, speaking a language belonging to the Algonkian family. Their name is derived from the Sioux Indian word that means "people of alien speech."In 1804 the explorers Lewis and Clark met the Cheyenne tribe near the Black Hills of South Dakota, but there is evidence that before 1700 the Cheyenne had lived a more settled existence in Minnesota. By the mid-1800's the Cheyenne had become fully adapted to a nomadic way of life based on the hunting of big game, primarily bison and antelope. Fish, small game, and wild vegetable foods supplemented their diet. The Cheyenne lived in skin tepees and used skin clothing.In the nomadic period, the Cheyenne engaged in almost continuous warfare with neighboring tribes and, after 1860, with the white men. Camps of friendly Cheyenne were attacked by U.S. A ...view middle of the document...
Later one reservation was established in Montana and another in Oklahoma.The Cheyenne were organized into 10 main bands made up of family groups. These bands were led by a council of 45 peace chiefs, each a renowned warrior chosen for a 10-year term of office. Cutting across the bands were the military societies. Originally five in number, these increased to seven during the 19th century. They were not kin groups but tightly organized associations centered around common activities and war rituals. Each society had four war leaders, two serving as head chiefs and two as messengers to the Council of Forty- five and the other military societies.The importance of warfare was emphasized by the elaborate rituals and paraphernalia associated with it. Of special importance were decorated shields and feather bonnets, which, if treated by correct ritual, were believed to endow the owner with extra prowess in battle. Female chastity was honored by the Cheyenne, and daughters of the chiefs served as maids of honor in ceremonies and in council. However, in general, women had little real power or authority in tribal affairs.The Cheyenne possessed a unique ceremony, the annual Renewal of the Sacred Arrows. The arrows symbolized the collective tribal existence, and their spiritual well-being brought prosperity to the tribe as a whole. Other important ceremonies include the Sun Dance, still performed each year, and the Animal Dance, which was unusual for the mimicry and clowning in it. Both of these were performed by other Plains tribes as well. The Peyote Cult has also become important among the Cheyenne today.Several thousand Cheyenne live on reservations in southeastern Montana and in southwestern Oklahoma. In Oklahoma some intermarriage with the Arapaho has occurred.BIBLIOGRAPHY1)Berthong, D. J., The Southern Cheyenne (1975; reprint, Univ. of Okla. Press 1981);2) Grinnell, G. B., The Fighting Cheyennes (Univ. of Okla. Press 1985).
