The Arapaho tribe were affected by continued expansion to the west, despite the fact that they were more interested in trading than fighting against Americans. Today Arapahos live in two separate tribes, both recognized by the United States government as sovereign nations. The Southern Arapaho live in Oklahoma together with the Southern Cheyenne. The Northern Arapaho fled to Wyoming where they were granted land by the Soshone, their former enemies, and they still live there with them today. They are all regarded as United States citizens and subject to its laws even though they have their own governments, laws, police and services.
Today, the language of this tribe has become endangered as children tend to grow up speaking English and do not want to learn it. The fact that different tribes ended up living together also affected preservation of individual languages. However, some feel the importance of keeping the language alive and teach it to the children.
These tribes used to hunt and grow corn but once horses were introduced by Europeans, they became expert riders and left their corn growing days behind. The fact that they could travel greater distances more speedily meant they could hunt more productively and trade more too. The horse became an important object of wealth for exchanging, trading and raiding.
It was in the late spring that they would emerge from their winter camps to follow the great buffalo herds who gathered for the calving season. They would go on communal hunts and various ceremonies were held. In the fall, the herds would gather again for the rutting season and collective hunts were made to get food and hides for the approaching winter. The men also used bows and arrows to hunt deer, moose, elk, antelope and other small game throughout the year. The meat was either cooked in pits or dried. The women used to gather roots, berries and other plants to eat.
They used every part of the buffalo they killed. The hides were used to make teepees and it was the job of the women to prepare them. They would scrape them, tan them and then stitch them together with an awl, using animal sinew as thread. Teepees were simply constructed with hides and poles so they could be set up and dismantled easily. This was necessary as the tribe did not stay in one place for long.
The clothing worn by men and women was also made from animal hides. The men would wear a breach-cloth and leggings while the women wore buckskin dresses. Both sexes braided their hair and the men decorated their heads with feathers. They both wore moccasins and robes made of buffalo hide. On special occasions, faces were painted with bright colors.
It was the job of the women to make the teepee and domestic goods. The men made and decorated the implements used for hunting, ceremonies, war and horse care. Dyed porcupine quills, beads and paint were used for decorations. These decorative skills are still evident.
Today tribe members speak English, wear modern clothes and enjoy modern conveniences. They no longer live in teepees but in homes like anyone else. However, they do not forget their roots and cling proudly to their heritage, maintaining many of the traditions and holding ceremonies as they did in days gone by.
Today, the language of this tribe has become endangered as children tend to grow up speaking English and do not want to learn it. The fact that different tribes ended up living together also affected preservation of individual languages. However, some feel the importance of keeping the language alive and teach it to the children.
These tribes used to hunt and grow corn but once horses were introduced by Europeans, they became expert riders and left their corn growing days behind. The fact that they could travel greater distances more speedily meant they could hunt more productively and trade more too. The horse became an important object of wealth for exchanging, trading and raiding.
It was in the late spring that they would emerge from their winter camps to follow the great buffalo herds who gathered for the calving season. They would go on communal hunts and various ceremonies were held. In the fall, the herds would gather again for the rutting season and collective hunts were made to get food and hides for the approaching winter. The men also used bows and arrows to hunt deer, moose, elk, antelope and other small game throughout the year. The meat was either cooked in pits or dried. The women used to gather roots, berries and other plants to eat.
They used every part of the buffalo they killed. The hides were used to make teepees and it was the job of the women to prepare them. They would scrape them, tan them and then stitch them together with an awl, using animal sinew as thread. Teepees were simply constructed with hides and poles so they could be set up and dismantled easily. This was necessary as the tribe did not stay in one place for long.
The clothing worn by men and women was also made from animal hides. The men would wear a breach-cloth and leggings while the women wore buckskin dresses. Both sexes braided their hair and the men decorated their heads with feathers. They both wore moccasins and robes made of buffalo hide. On special occasions, faces were painted with bright colors.
It was the job of the women to make the teepee and domestic goods. The men made and decorated the implements used for hunting, ceremonies, war and horse care. Dyed porcupine quills, beads and paint were used for decorations. These decorative skills are still evident.
Today tribe members speak English, wear modern clothes and enjoy modern conveniences. They no longer live in teepees but in homes like anyone else. However, they do not forget their roots and cling proudly to their heritage, maintaining many of the traditions and holding ceremonies as they did in days gone by.
