Comanche: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:45, 3 March 2025

The Comanche are a Native American tribe from the Great Plains whose historic territory consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas, western Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. They are federally recognized as the Comanche Nation, headquartered in Lawton, Oklahoma.

History[edit]

The Comanche were originally part of the Eastern Shoshone who lived near the upper reaches of the Platte River in eastern Wyoming. They migrated south in the early 18th century, where they became known as the Comanche. Their migration was facilitated by their acquisition of horses, which allowed them to become highly skilled horsemen and formidable warriors.

Culture[edit]

The Comanche were known for their nomadic lifestyle, relying heavily on the bison for food, clothing, and shelter. They lived in tipis, which were well-suited for their mobile lifestyle. The Comanche were also skilled traders, exchanging goods with other tribes and European settlers.

Language[edit]

The Comanche language is a member of the Uto-Aztecan language family. It is closely related to the Shoshone language. Efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize the language among the Comanche people today.

Modern Day[edit]

Today, the Comanche Nation is a federally recognized tribe with a population of approximately 17,000 members. The tribe operates its own government and provides various services to its members, including health care, education, and housing.

References[edit]

Template:Native American tribes

LaDonna Harris
Uto-Aztecan map
War on the Plains Comanche vs Osage by George Catlin 1834
Dodge Comanche Emissary
Comancheria
Comanche Lookout Arthur T. Lee
Comanche braves
Chief Quanah Parker of the Kwahadi Comanche
Mac silverhorn drumming
Edward S. Curtis Collection People 085

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Flag_of_the_Comanche_Nation.svg|Flag of the Comanche Nation|thumb]] [[File:LaDonnaHarris.png|LaDonnaHarris|thumb|left]] [[File:Uto-Aztecan_map.svg|Uto-Aztecan map|thumb|left]] [[File:War_on_the_Plains_Comanche_vs_Osage_by_George_Catlin_1834.png|War on the Plains Comanche vs Osage by George Catlin 1834|thumb]] [[File:DodgeComancheEmissary.png|DodgeComancheEmissary|thumb]] '''Comanche''' were a Native American nation prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries, primarily inhabiting the Great Plains region of the United States. Known for their fierce warrior culture and significant influence over the southern plains, the Comanche played a crucial role in the history of the American West. Their territory spanned present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas.
-==History==
+{{Infobox ethnic group
-The Comanche emerged as a distinct group in the early 18th century, breaking off from the [[Shoshone]] people in the Wyoming area. Their migration southward was facilitated by the acquisition of the horse, which transformed their society into one of the most formidable nomadic tribes in North America. The Comanche became adept horsemen, using their skills for hunting, warfare, and trade, which allowed them to dominate the southern plains.
+| group = Comanche
+| image =
+| caption =
+| population =
+| region1 =
+| languages = [[Comanche language|Comanche]], [[English language|English]]
+| religions = [[Native American religion|Native American religion]], [[Christianity]]
+| related = [[Ute people|Ute]], [[Shoshone people|Shoshone]]
+}}
-===Comanche Empire===
+The '''Comanche''' are a Native American tribe from the Great Plains whose historic territory consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas, western Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. They are federally recognized as the [[Comanche Nation]], headquartered in [[Lawton, Oklahoma]].
-By the late 18th century, the Comanche had established the ''Comanche Empire,'' a powerful trading network that exerted influence over a vast area. They engaged in trade with neighboring tribes, Spanish, French, and later American settlers, exchanging horses, buffalo hides, and captives. The Comanche were pivotal in the horse trade, and their economy helped shape the dynamics of the southern plains.
-===Conflicts and Treaties===
+==History==
-The Comanche were involved in numerous conflicts with both Native American tribes and European settlers. Their raids into Mexico, often to capture horses and take captives, became legendary. The Comanche fought several wars against the [[United States Army]], notably the Red River War, which led to their eventual defeat and relocation to a reservation in present-day Oklahoma in the late 19th century.
+The Comanche were originally part of the [[Eastern Shoshone]] who lived near the upper reaches of the [[Platte River]] in eastern [[Wyoming]]. They migrated south in the early 18th century, where they became known as the Comanche. Their migration was facilitated by their acquisition of horses, which allowed them to become highly skilled horsemen and formidable warriors.
 ==Culture==
-Comanche society was organized into bands, each led by a chief. These bands were highly independent but came together for mutual defense and raiding. The Comanche were known for their elaborate ceremonies, including the Sun Dance, and for their skill in crafting, particularly in leatherwork and beadwork.
+The Comanche were known for their [[nomadic]] lifestyle, relying heavily on the [[American bison|bison]] for food, clothing, and shelter. They lived in [[tipis]], which were well-suited for their mobile lifestyle. The Comanche were also skilled traders, exchanging goods with other tribes and European settlers.
-===Language===
+==Language==
-The Comanche language, part of the Uto-Aztecan language family, reflects their history and culture. It is a complex language with several dialects, though it is now considered endangered.
+The Comanche language is a member of the [[Uto-Aztecan languages|Uto-Aztecan language family]]. It is closely related to the [[Shoshone language]]. Efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize the language among the Comanche people today.
 ==Modern Day==
-Today, the Comanche Nation is federally recognized, with a reservation located in southwestern Oklahoma. They are involved in various economic ventures, including gaming and natural resource management. The Comanche continue to celebrate their rich heritage through cultural events, preserving their language, and practicing traditional crafts.
+Today, the Comanche Nation is a federally recognized tribe with a population of approximately 17,000 members. The tribe operates its own government and provides various services to its members, including health care, education, and housing.
+==See also==
+* [[Native American tribes in Oklahoma]]
+* [[Plains Indians]]
+* [[History of Texas]]
+==References==
+* [[American Indian Wars]]
+* [[Horse culture of the Great Plains]]
-==See Also==
+{{Native American tribes}}
-* [[Native American Tribes in the United States]]
+{{Indigenous peoples of North America}}
-* [[History of the American West]]
-* [[Indigenous Peoples of the Great Plains]]
-[[Category:Native American Tribes]]
+[[Category:Comanche]]
-[[Category:History of the United States]]
+[[Category:Native American tribes in Oklahoma]]
-{{Ethnic-group-stub}}
+[[Category:Plains tribes]]
+[[Category:Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains]]
+<gallery>
+File:LaDonnaHarris.png|LaDonna Harris
+File:Uto-Aztecan map.svg|Uto-Aztecan map
+File:War on the Plains Comanche vs Osage by George Catlin 1834.png|War on the Plains Comanche vs Osage by George Catlin 1834
+File:DodgeComancheEmissary.png|Dodge Comanche Emissary
+File:Comancheria.png|Comancheria
+File:Comanche Lookout Arthur T. Lee.jpg|Comanche Lookout Arthur T. Lee
+File:Comanchebraves.jpg|Comanche braves
+File:Chief Quanah Parker of the Kwahadi Comanche.jpg|Chief Quanah Parker of the Kwahadi Comanche
+File:Mac silverhorn drumming.jpg|Mac silverhorn drumming
+File:Edward S. Curtis Collection People 085.jpg|Edward S. Curtis Collection People 085
+</gallery>