Maman-ti facts for kids
Mamanti (born around 1835 – died July 28, 1875) was a respected Kiowa medicine man and a powerful leader. His name means "He Walking-above" or "Sky Walker." People also spelled his name Mama'nte.
After the main chief, Dohasan, passed away in 1866, Guipago became the new head chief. Satanta became the second-ranking chief. Mamanti then took on a role as a war chief. He became very powerful when he gained special "screech owl medicine" and became known as an "owl prophet." He had a friendly rivalry with another strong medicine man named Napawat. Napawat was a friend of Tene-angopte.
Mamanti had two wives and several children with them. He also adopted a captive boy named Tehan.
The Warren Wagon Train Attack
On May 18, 1871, a group of wagons called the Warren wagon train was traveling. They were heading towards Salt Creek Crossing. A large group of Kiowa warriors, led by Mamanti and others, were hiding nearby.
Mamanti had a vision the night before. He predicted that a small group of soldiers would pass first. He said a larger group with more supplies would follow them. So, the warriors let the soldiers go by without attacking.
Just three hours later, 10 wagons pulled by mules came along. These wagons were full of army corn and supplies. The Kiowa warriors attacked them. They destroyed the corn and killed seven of the wagon drivers. The Kiowa lost three of their own warriors. But they left with 40 mules loaded with supplies. Five white men escaped. One of them, Thomas Brazeale, walked 20 miles to Fort Richardson to report the attack.
When General William Tecumseh Sherman heard about the attack, he ordered the arrest of the leaders. Mamanti, Satanta, Satank, and Ado-ete were arrested at Fort Sill. On the way to trial, Satank tried to escape and died.
Satanta and Ado-ete were later held in a prison in 1871. Guipago worked hard to get them released. In 1872, Guipago was allowed to meet his friends in St. Louis. After this, he agreed to go to Washington D.C. to talk about peace with President Ulysses S. Grant.
Guipago led a group of chiefs to Washington. He got a promise that Satanta and Ado-ete would be set free. They were finally released in September 1873. Even with this success, Mamanti's fame was soon overshadowed by a younger Comanche medicine man named Isa-tai.
Adobe Walls and the Red River War
Mamanti did not join the attack on Adobe Walls in June 1874. This attack was against buffalo hunters. However, he did go on a raid in Texas that summer. He then joined Guipago and other Comanche leaders during the Red River War.
He was involved in an attack on Palo Duro Canyon. He also traveled with Guipago to the Staked Plains. Mamanti surrendered with Guipago at Fort Sill on February 25, 1875.
After Guipago surrendered, the U.S. Army asked Tene-angopte to choose Kiowa prisoners. These prisoners would be sent to Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. They would stay there until 1879. Mamanti was one of the 27 prisoners chosen.
Before he left, Mamanti put a curse on Tene-angopte. He did this because Tene-angopte had chosen the prisoners. Mamanti died at Fort Marion on July 28, 1875. He passed away less than three months after Tene-angopte had also died.
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