Comanche Ethnography: Field Notes of E. Adamson Hoebel, Waldo R. Wedel, Gustav G. Carlson, and Robert H. Lowie (Studies in the Anthropology of North American Indians)

In the summer of 1933 in Lawton, Oklahoma, a team of six anthropologists met with eighteen Comanche elders to record the latter’s reminiscences of traditional Comanche culture. The depth and breadth of what the elderly Comanches recalled provides an inestimable source of knowledge for generations to come, both within and beyond the Comanche community. This monumental volume makes available for the first time the largest archive of traditional cultural information on Comanches ever gathered by American anthropologists. Much of the Comanches’ earlier world is presented here—religious stories, historical accounts, autobiographical remembrances, cosmology, the practice of war, everyday games, birth rituals, funerals, kinship relations, the organization of camps, material culture, and relations with other tribes. Thomas W. Kavanagh tracked down all known surviving notes from the Santa Fe Laboratory field party and collated and annotated the records, learning as much as possible about the Comanche elders who spoke with the anthropologists and, when possible, attributing pieces of information to the appropriate elders. In addition, this volume includes Robert H. Lowie’s notes from his short 1912 visit to the Comanches. The result stands as a legacy for both Comanches and those interested in learning more about them. Southwestern Historical Quarterly Dr. Thomas W. Kavanagh has once again made a valuable contribution to Comanche scholarship with the publication of Comanche Ethnography. — R. Michael Barnett, Southwestern Historical Quarterly In The Summer Of 1933 In Lawton, Oklahoma, A Team Of Six Anthropologists Met With Eighteen Comanche Elders To Record The Latter?s Reminiscences Of Traditional Comanche Culture. The Depth And Breadth Of What The Elderly Comanches Recalled Provides An Inestimable Source Of Knowledge For Generations To Come, Both Within And Beyond The Comanche Community. This Monumental Volume Makes Available For The First Time The Largest Archive Of Traditional Cultural Information On Comanches Ever Gathered By American Anthropologists. Much Of The Comanches? Earlier World Is Presented Here?religious Stories, Historical Accounts, Autobiographical Remembrances, Cosmology, The Practice Of War, Everyday Games, Birth Rituals, Funerals, Kinship Relations, The Organization Of Camps, Material Culture, And Relations With Other Tribes. Thomas W. Kavanagh Tracked Down All Known Surviving Notes From The Santa Fe Laboratory Field Party And Collated And Annotated The Records, Learning As Much As Possible About The Comanche Elders Who Spoke With The Anthropologists And, When Possible, Attributing Pieces Of Information To The Appropriate Elders. In Addition, This Volume Includes Robert H. Lowie?s Notes From His Short 1912 Visit To The Comanches. The Result Stands As A Legacy For Both Comanches And Those Interested In Learning More About Them. "In the summer of 1933 in Lawton, Oklahoma, a team of six anthropologists met with eighteen Comanche eiders to record the latter's reminiscences of traditional Comanche culture. The depth and breadth of what the elderly Comanches recalled provides an inestimable source of knowledge for generations to come, both within and beyond the Comanche community. This monumental volume makes available for the first time the largest archive of traditional cultural information on Comanches ever gathered by American anthropologists." "Much of the Comanches' earlier world is presented here - religious stories, historical accounts, autobiographical remembrances, cosmology, the practice of war, everyday games, birth rituals, funerals, kinship relations, the organization of camps, material culture, and relations with other tribes."--book jacket. Contents ......Page 6 Photographs......Page 10 Figures......Page 12 Preface......Page 14 PART ONE: The 1933 Comanche Field Party......Page 16 Introduction......Page 18 The 1933 Field Party Notes......Page 58 PHOTO SECTION ......Page 48 PART TWO: Robert Lowie’s 1912 Field Trip......Page 506 Introduction......Page 508 Lowie’s 1912 Field Notes......Page 509 APPENDIX A: Sources of Ethnographic Information in Hoebel (1940)......Page 518 APPENDIX B: Sources of Ethnographic Information in Wallace and Hoebel (1952)......Page 524 APPENDIX C: Sources of Ethnobotanical Information in Carlson and Jones (1940)......Page 536 APPENDIX D: Comanche Lexicon......Page 540 References......Page 548 Index......Page 558 Offers traditional cultural information on Comanches. This work presents the Comanches' earlier world - religious stories, historical accounts, autobiographical remembrances, cosmology, the practice of war, everyday games, birth rituals, funerals, kinship relations, the organization of camps, material culture, and relations with other tribes.