THE USAGE OF BUFFALO |
| the buffalo meant allot of different things to the African Indians they were food, clothing, tools, and vtensels. Most of all the buffalo was a spirit that blessed them them with everything they need to survive. A major part of the Indian life centered around the buffalo herds. They moved them during all but the winter months. |
| If
a Childs name included the word buffalo in it the Indians believed that
the child would be especially strong and mature quickly. Buffalo calling
was a constant and essential practice on the plains. Buffalo often licked themselves
and in the process swallowed some of their hair. over the years the hair sometimes
formed itself into a perfectly round ball two inches or more in diameter
or more. such a ball was a great find and it immediately became a
buffalo calling item for ritual use.
all the plains tribes had special songs witch they believed would make the buffalo approach their camp areas. All the tribes had dreams. |
| some of the Indians would present a bowl of food to a mounted buffalo head in belief that it would send out messages to living animals telling them of the Indian generosity. it told them to come closer. the Indians prayed constantly to the great spirit to send them meat. sometimes they pleaded with the herds close behind. the holy men of the Sioux enticed the herds, the herds, and the carcass of the first animal slain and a large hunt was always sacrificed to god. |
| the Indians used the buffalo rawhides for allot of things. they were mainly used for containers for their food and shields to block the arrows and buckets to put water in. and they also used it for their shoes ,they used splints for injured Indians and drums for their songs, they used snowshoes for the winter and they used straps so they did not half to carry their guns around. and blankets because it gets really cold in the winter. |
| today meat is the primary revenue generation for the bison industry. in addition businesses that make use of other parts of the animal have flourished. skins are bleached and used for decoration porpoises. horns are made into decorative polished costume, jewelry, and buttons. |
| http://www.indians.org/welker/buffalo3.htm |
Jeffrey lyda
8th American history
2005 project