Cheyenne Native American History: Tribal Facts

The Cheyenne tribe is a Native American tribe that is regarded as one of the very first woodland people that inhabited the Minnesota region. Historical records or Cheyenne Tribal Facts show that they have been living there even before the 17th century, making them the original inhabitants of the American West, together with the Arapaho and Sioux.

Cheyenne Tribal Facts

By the start of the 1700s, they were forced to relocate their tribe to the Great Plains, thus experiencing the shift from becoming an agricultural people to a nomadic tribe.

Extended Family

The extended family was one of the most important units of the Cheyenne society. According to Cheyenne tribal Facts, the children, parents, as well as the grandparents, are living with each other and they share their economic resources. They value their family as strong as how they value their extended family. They are closely knit to each other and they feel depressed and sad when they are away with other people. This shows how sociable and outgoing these Cheyenne Indians are. The Cheyenne people also had work assignments given to the people. However, these work assignments were based on the age and the gender of the person who will potentially receive the tasks to be done. This shows to one that there is a balance of responsibilities in the Cheyenne society.

The horses were tended and taken care of the young boys. These young boys are taught by the elder men on how to properly do this. These boys are also taught how to horseback. This is one of the reasons as to why the Cheyenne people are very good horsemen. At an early young age, they are taught how to ride a horse, how to take care of them, and how to give importance to their relationship with their horses. On the other hand, the idle aged men were the warriors of the Cheyenne tribe. They were the ones who went to battle, and they defended their tribal territory at all costs. They also hunted bison and are very important in a variety of ceremonial activities.

Cheyenne Tribal Facts

Cheyenne tribe Homes

The middle-aged women were the ones responsible for putting together homes. The Cheyennes were a nomadic people which is why it is important for them to master the art of putting and dismantling homes. Their homes were also very portable. The middle-aged women are also the ones who were in charge of gathering the hunted food such as bisons and buffalos by the men. They gather wood for roasting the food, and also fuel. They were expert meat butchers. The older women were the ones who were responsible for watching over the youngest members of the tribal village.

The Cheyenne tribe has a government which they call the Council of Forty-Four. This council is made up of 40 headsmen as well as four representatives that are the ones who represent the ten Cheyenne bands.

The council members were all considered as equals. They each serve for ten years before they are replaced by a new one. These were also considered as the wisest men of their tribe. Four of these councilmen serve as the religious leaders. They spearhead ceremonies and are even said to have the power to talk to spirits that live with them.

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