Red Warbonnet facts for kids
Red Warbonnet was the name of two important Kiowa warriors from Texas. These brave leaders lived in the 1800s. It's easy to get them mixed up because they had the same name!
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Who Was Red Warbonnet?
Two Important Warriors
The first Red Warbonnet (sometimes called Red Warbonnet I or Tanguadal) was a Kiowa warrior. He died in 1849 because of a sickness called cholera. We know this from the winter count, which was a special way the Kiowa people kept track of important events each year.
The second Red Warbonnet (also known as Tan-guadal) was also a Kiowa warrior. He was very special because he owned a powerful item called the arrow lance (zebat). He also owned the "morning star tipi" for the Kiowa Sun Dance. This Red Warbonnet died in 1869 during a raid in Texas.
Passing Down a Legacy
The arrow lance was a very important family treasure. Red Warbonnet's niece, Addlegamah, was the mother of Edgar Keahbone. Edgar inherited the arrow lance. He kept it safe in his warrior society, called Ohumah Lodge, until he passed away in 1951.
After Edgar's death, his wife, Sendehmah, made sure the arrow lance went to their oldest son, Mark. Today, the male descendants of the family still make copies of the arrow lance. They carry these at Ohumah Lodge, which is a Kiowa warrior society that still exists! Their special dances are held every July.
A Special Place: Palo Duro Canyon
The Battle of Palo Duro Canyon was an important event. Before this battle, the Palo Duro Canyon was a very important place for the Kiowa tribe. It was like a safe home and a resting spot. The Kiowa people knew the canyon very well. This helped them avoid being captured for a long time.
A Kiowa leader named Poor Buffalo led his people to the canyon. They went there to escape being forced to live on Indian reservations. Poor Buffalo's group was the last of the Kiowa people to be taken into government care.
