Caddo and

Comanche
American Indian Tribes
in Texas

Sandy Phan
 Caddo and
Comanche
American Indian Tribes
in Texas

Sandy Phan
Consultant
Devia Cearlock
K–12 Social Studies Specialist
Amarillo Independent School District

Publishing Credits
Table of Contents
Dona Herweck Rice, Editor-in-Chief
Lee Aucoin, Creative Director
Marcus McArthur, Ph.D, Associate Education Editor Lost Earth.................................................................... 4–5
Neri Garcia, Senior Designer
Stephanie Reid, Photo Editor
Rachelle Cracchiolo, M.S.Ed., Publisher The Caddo.................................................................... 6–9

The Comanche...........................................................10–13
Image Credits:
Cover National Geographic Stock & Bridgeman Art Contact with Europeans............................................14–15
Library; p.1 Bridgeman Art Library; pp.2–3 National
Geographic Stock; p.4 The Granger Collection;
p.5 Bridgeman Art Library; p.5 (sidebar) Randy
Mallory for Texas Historical Commission; p.6 National Americans Arrive.......................................................16–17
Geographic Stock; p.7 The Granger Collection;
p.8 (left) Nativestock Pictures; p.8 (right) Alamy;
p.9, 10 Nativestock Pictures; p.11 (left) Nativestock
Pictures; p.11 (right) The Granger Collection;
Tribal Relations.........................................................18–21
p.12, 13 Nativestock Pictures; p.14 Album/Oronoz/
Newscom; p.15 Nativestock Pictures; p.15 (sidebar)
Northwind Picture Archives; pp.16–17 SuperStock; Driven Off Their Land..............................................22–25
p.17 National Archives; p.19 (top) Jeri Redcorn;
p.19 (bottom) Associated Press; p.20 (sidebar) akg–
images/Newscom; p.20 Nativestock Pictures; p.21 (left)
Nativestock Pictures, (right) akg–images/Newscom;
Keeping Their Cultures Alive.....................................26–29
p.22 LOC [LC–USZC4–6878]; p.23 KRT/Newscom;
p.23 (sidebar) Nativestock Pictures; pp.24–25 The
Granger Collection; p.25 Bridgeman Art Library; Glossary......................................................................... 30
p.26 Corbis; p.27 Uyvsdi/Wikimedia; p.27 (sidebar)
Caddo Nation Museum; p.28 (top) Associated Press;
p.28 (bottom) AFP/Newscom; p.29 Nativestock
Pictures; All other images Shutterstock. Index............................................................................... 31

Your Turn!...................................................................... 32

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3
 Children from the Caddo
Nation stand in front of
a Caddoan Mound.
Lost Earth The Caddo tried to live in peace with
white settlers. They became traders
They honored the sun and moon. They listened to the spirits of among Europeans and other tribes.
animals. They believed the spirits brought healing and power in war. The Comanche were a more warlike
But one day, new people arrived from another land. These strangers people. They fought with others over
believed they had the right to take the land and kill the animals. hunting grounds. Over time, almost all
The Caddo (KAHD-doh) and Comanche (kuh-MAN-chee) of the original American Indian tribes
were two of the largest American Indian tribes in Texas. These in Texas died from war or disease. The
American Indians fought each other. They also made alliances
Caddoan Mounds
few survivors were moved to reservations.
Around the year 800, the
(uh-LAHY‑uhns-iz) and traded with other tribes. All American Reservations are protected lands that are Caddo built a city in East
Indian tribes honored the earth. But Europeans thought they could set aside just for American Indians. Texas around two temples.
own the earth. These new settlers threatened the American Indians’ They often burned the
way of life. temples and built new
ones over them. They
buried leaders nearby. The
The Comanche were three large ritual mounds
skilled horsemen.
still stand at the Caddoan
Mounds State Historic Site.

Ghost Dance
Wovoka (wuh-VOH-kuh),
or Jack Wilson, began the
Ghost Dance religion in
1889. He preached about
a new Earth without
white men. He said the
spirits of dead American
Indians and bison would
return. A new earth never
came. But the Caddo
and other tribes still hold
a Caddo man’s profile Ghost Dances to preserve
fashioned in copper
their culture.

4 5
 The Caddo
Caddo Origins and Society
Caddo chief Place of Crying
The early Caddo lived in East Texas from AD 700 to 1300. They
The Caddo believe that
built villages around temples on top of earthen mounds. They were all people used to live in
hunters, fishers, and gatherers. Later Caddo groups became darkness underground.
expert farmers. A Caddo man led his
Caddo people were matrilineal (ma-truh-LIN-ee-uhl). This means villagers toward a light in
a cave. But some people
that clan, or group, names are passed from a mother to her children.
were trapped below
Most Caddo leaders were men who inherited their jobs. Each the ground. The Caddo
village had a xinesi (she-NAY-see), or head priest, who led religious call the place where the
ceremonies. Medicine men called connas (kon-ah) healed sick people. first people came into
A caddi (ka-ha-DI), or chief, and village elders made rules. the world Cha’kani’na
(cha‑KAH-nee-nah). It
means “place of crying.”
Caddo village
Caddi Ayo
There were many Caddo tribes, but The supreme god of the
three confederacies (kuhn-FED‑er‑uh‑seez), Caddo was Caddi Ayo
or unions, remain. The Hasinai (ka‑ha-DI HA-yo). The
(ha-SIN‑ay) lived in East Texas. Their Caddo believed twin
boys received messages
word for “friend” — taysha — later became from Caddi Ayo. They
the word Texas. The Natchitoches told these messages to
(nah-shi-TOSH) lived in Louisiana. The the xinesi who passed
Kadohadacho (kah-do-ha-DAH-cho) lived them on to the Caddo
at the borders of Texas, Oklahoma, and people. Many American
Indian myths and religions
Arkansas. The French shortened the name include twins.
to Caddo. This term is now used to
describe all the tribes that spoke the
Caddoan language.

6 7
 Caddo Children Caddo Daily Life Caddo necklace
Caddo children helped The Caddo homeland was the Red River
with chores. Boys learned
Valley. This is where Texas, Louisiana,
how to make tools and
weapons. Girls learned Oklahoma, and Arkansas meet. The
how to make pottery, Caddo worshipped and held meetings on
baskets, and clothing. temple mounds at the village center. They
Women also taught girls built cone-shaped houses out of wooden
how to cook. Children
poles and grass mats. A fire burned inside
listened to stories about
Caddo culture from each home for cooking and warmth. The
village elders. Caddo also used animal skins to stay warm.

dried corn

Caddo house
Caddo moccasins

Corn
Corn was a very important The Caddo were farmers. They grew corn, beans, squash, and
crop. The Caddo dried corn tobacco. Caddo men also were hunters and warriors. They used
on the cob, used the seeds
for planting, and ground bows and arrows, knives, and clubs. They fished and hunted bison,
dried corn into flour for deer, and other animals. Caddo women gathered wild plants. They
bread. Raw corn was dried vegetables, fruit, and meat. They also made baskets and clay
cooked in stews with meat pots to store the food. Everyone built houses and planted and
and beans. The Caddo also harvested crops. They joined together for feasts and ceremonies.
traded corn for bison meat
and horses. They had Caddo men wore breechcloths, and the women wore dresses.
corn-planting ceremonies The Caddo protected their feet with moccasins (MOK-uh-sinz),
and celebrated after a or shoes made out of animal hide. Some men wore their hair in a
good harvest. Caddo man in mohawk, which is a long strip down the center of their head.
ceremonial clothing

8 9
 The Comanche
Comanche warrior
Comanche Origins and Society Friend or Foe?
The Comanche are a group within the Shoshone The Comanche called
(shoh-SHOH‑nee) people. They were hunters and gatherers in the themselves numunu
(NUH-muh-nuh), meaning
mountain forests of the central Northwest. In the 1700s, they moved “the people.” But the word
south to the plains, where they became expert horsemen and warriors. comanche came from the
They ruled a large area in western Oklahoma and Texas called the Ute (yoot) tribe’s word
Comanchería (koh-mahn‑che-REE-uh). for “enemy.” The Spanish
also saw the Comanche
raiders as enemies and
called them “Komántcia”
(koh‑MAHN-shi-uh).

Comanche
Customs
Comanche men wore
breechcloths and
moccasins with ankle
flaps. They braided their
Comanche war shirt
hair and painted their
Comanche drawing of scalps along the part.
a bison hunt Warriors painted their
faces and bodies before
battle. They put bison
The Comanche were nomadic people, moving around in horns, feathers, and beads
search of bison. They lived in small family groups called bands. Comanche bands were led by a peace in their hair. Women
There were around 13 major Comanche groups. The Penateka chief, a war chief, and a council. Peace wore buckskin dresses
(pen-ah‑TUH‑kuh), or “honey eaters,” were the first group to move decorated with paint,
chiefs were wise men who advised the bands.
beads, or tinkling metal.
south. The Kwahadi (KWAH-ha-duh), or “antelope,” lived in West War chiefs only led during times of war. All
Texas. The Nokone (no-KOH-nee), or “wanderers,” moved around adult men took part in band councils.
east Comanchería.

10 11
 Comanche Daily Life
Comanche bands stayed in camps near streams. The women did
most of the work in camp. They took care of young children. They Comanche arrowhead made Waste Nothing
from stone and attached
built cone-shaped houses called tepees (TEE-peez). They sewed to the end of a spear The Comanche used every
clothes, cooked, and gathered firewood and wild plants. part of a bison. They
Comanche men were good hunters. They tracked bison, elk, and ate its meat and organs.
The band chief and his council decided Women used the skin
bears. Comanche warriors fought to protect their hunting grounds. when a band should move. Comanche for tepees and clothing.
They raided their enemies for horses and food. They killed the men women would make a travois (truh-VOI), They carried water in
and captured women and children. The women became slaves, and or sled, out of tepee poles and bison skin. bison stomachs. Bones
some of the children were adopted into the band. They would pack the travois and unload it and horns made tools.
Children were very important to the Comanche. New members Sinew, or tendons, became
at the next campsite. thread and bowstrings.
made bands stronger, especially boys. They learned how to hunt and
Tough rawhide made
make bows and arrows. Women taught girls how to sew and cook. saddles, moccasin soles,
Both boys and girls learned how to ride horses. and drums.
Comanche saddle
Comanche tepee Vision Quest
and travois The Comanche believed
each person had
“medicine,” or spiritual
power. Every young man
had a vision quest, or
spiritual journey. He went
into the hills alone for
four days. The spirits sent
him a vision that gave him
spiritual powers. Men
needed strong medicine to
win battles and hunt.

12 13
 Contact with Europeans American Indian
sign for smallpox
In the 1500s and 1600s, the Caddo and Comanche met Spanish
and French explorers. These strangers changed the American
Indians’ way of life.
René-Robert de La Salle
The Spanish first brought horses to New Mexico and Texas in
the 1500s. In 1680, Pueblos forced the Spanish out of New Mexico.
Accidental
The Spanish left many horses behind on the plains. The Comanche
Discovery
became the best horse riders in North America. Horses allowed the In 1682, René-Robert
Comanche to travel farther. They waged war with many tribes and de La Salle (ruh-NEY
ruled the plains. The Caddo also learned how to ride horses but roh‑BEAR dyoo luh sahl)
stayed close to their villages. claimed the Mississippi
River Valley for France. He
planned to start a colony
near the river in Louisiana.
Comanche with But his ship got lost and
a fur trader landed in Texas, where
The Caddo and Comanche traded with he built Fort Saint Louis.
Some of his men married
the Spanish and French. They traded Caddo women and lived
animal hides for horses, guns, metal tools, with the tribe. La Salle
and cooking pots. The men began to wear was killed before he found
leather shirts after they met European the Mississippi River.
traders. Apache (uh-PAH-chee) tribes
often helped the Spanish fight Comanche Horses
raiders in Texas. The Comanche used
horses for hunting and
The Europeans also brought new
raiding. Horses also
illnesses. By the late 1700s, half of the helped with moving
Caddo had died from foreign diseases camp and gathering food.
like smallpox. Owning many horses
meant a Comanche man
was wealthy.

14 15
 Americans Arrive
In the 1800s, many Americans headed west to Texas. They took Sabine River
land from the Caddo, Comanche, and other tribes living there. Many Caddo lived along
In 1803, France sold the Louisiana Territory to the United the Sabine (SUH-bean)
States. But the Louisiana Purchase never set a clear border between River. The Spanish
Texas and Louisiana. In 1821, Texas became Mexican territory. claimed that the land
around the Sabine was
Mexico and the United States fought over Caddo land. The Santa
part of Texas. The French
Fe Trail opened that same year, bringing even more Americans into believed it was part
Caddo land. of Louisiana. In 1806,
At first, Americans mostly stayed off the Comanchería, but they the United States and
took control of Texas in 1836. Soon, a flood of American settlers Spain agreed to set the
Texas‑Louisiana boundary
arrived. They built houses and forts on Comanche hunting grounds.
along the Sabine River.
The Comanche raided white settlements. The United States and
Comanche could not make lasting peace. The Comanche would This map shows the
Louisiana Territory. Council House
not give up their land, and the United States refused to enforce a Fight
boundary between the Comanchería and American settlements. In 1840, Comanche and
Texas leaders gathered for
a meeting. Texas wanted
The Comanche attack the Comanche to return all
a wagon train.
captives and stop raiding
white settlements. But
the Comanche peace
chief did not have control
over all Comanche bands.
Texas soldiers arrived and
a fight broke out. When
the Council House Fight
ended, 35 Comanche
were dead.

16 17
 Tribal Relations Jeri Redcorn

The Caddos and Their Neighbors

For years, the Caddo mostly enjoyed peace with other
tribes. They lived in open areas without fortified gates. The Jeri Redcorn
Caddo were famous traders. Many tribes came to trade Jeri Redcorn is a modern
Caddo woman who saw
with them. The Spanish in New Mexico learned about the
ancient Caddo pottery in a
Caddo from the Jumano (hoo-MAH-noh). The Caddo museum. She wanted to
traded pottery, bows, corn, and salt. They received shells and learn how to make these
turquoise (TUR-koiz) from as far west as California. pieces, but nobody had
In the 1700s and early 1800s, the Caddo had to fight off made this kind of pottery
for a long time. So, she
many other American Indian groups. Tribes arrived from the
taught herself this lost art
north and east, such as the Osage, Choctaw (CHOK-taw), of her ancestors. As she
and Chickasaw. These rival American Indian groups had makes these pieces, she
guns. They came to Caddo land to escape American settlers. thinks about her Caddo
Apache and Comanche horsemen from the west raided ancestors. She thinks
about what tools they
Caddo villages. The Caddo had trouble fighting off attackers
might have used and what
because they had been weakened by European diseases. their lives were like.
The Caddo became trade partners with the French. Other
Some archaeologists
tribes traded animal skins, horses, and Apache slaves through
(ahr‑kee‑OL-uh-jists) have
the Caddo. The Caddo traded them French guns and asked Redcorn to copy
European goods. ancient pieces. They buy
her pottery to show in
museums. Redcorn also
Jeri Redcorn pottery
teaches others the Caddo
turquoise rocks craft so it will never again
become a lost art.

18 19

Chief Quanah Parker
Quanah Parker
Quanah (KWAH-nuh) Parker
was a famous Comanche
leader. His mother was
a white captive and
had become part of the
Kwahadi band. Quanah’s
father was a war chief.
Quanah became the
Kwahadi chief. He led
the battle against bison
hunters. He also helped
spread the Native American
Church religion.
Counting Coup
American Indian warriors
showed bravery in battle by
“counting coup.” Counting
coup meant touching an
enemy during a fight. For
many tribes, counting coup
was a way to win without
killing too many men. But
the Comanche killed most
of the men they touched.
They also took scalps as
proof of counting coup.
20
Comanche Enemies
Lipan Apache warrior
and Allies
The Comanche were a warlike people,
fighting over hunting grounds with
many American Indian tribes. They
were known as the fiercest warriors on Kiowa camp
the plains.
The Comanche drove the Mescalero
(mes-kuh-LAIR-oh) and Jicarilla
(hee‑kuh-REE-uh) Apache out of Texas.
Only the Lipan (li-PAHN) Apache stayed
to fight, but the Comanche pushed
them west off the plains. The Lipan
worked with the Spanish, Mexicans, and
Americans to fight the Comanche.
In the early 1800s, the United States moved American Indian
tribes to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. The Comanche attacked
everyone who was on their land. But in 1835, the United States
forced them to sign a treaty, promising to leave eastern American
Indian groups alone.
Not all tribes saw the Comanche as enemies. The Kiowa
(KAHY-uh-wuh) and Comanche once fought over land. But in
A Shoshone warrior 1805, a Kiowa warrior spent a summer with the Comanche. Over
counts coup on an enemy. time, the two tribes made peace with each other.
21
 Driven Off Their Land Boarding Schools
The United States forced
The Caddo Leave Their Homeland American Indian children
to attend boarding schools.
The French and Spanish had promised not to settle on Caddo The goal was to turn
American Indian children
land. After the Louisiana Purchase, the Caddo asked Americans to
into American citizens.
make the same promise. At first, Americans agreed to stay out of Students could not speak
Caddo territory because they needed Caddo help in their boundary their native language in
fights with Spain. school and had to wear
The Caddo also helped Americans fight against the British in the American clothing. Many
forgot their tribal customs.
War of 1812. But after the United States won the war, they no longer
needed Caddo help. Soon, settlers poured onto Caddo land.
Jose Maria
Jose Maria was the main
Caddo chief from 1842
Battle of New Orleans
in the War of 1812 to 1862. He signed peace
treaties with Texas and
American Indian boys the United States. But
in boarding school he could not stop attacks
from Comanche raiders and
Texans. He finally agreed
to move his people onto
In 1845, Texas became part of a reservation.
the United States. Soon, the Caddo
and other tribes moved to the Brazos
Reservation. But Comanche raiders stole
their horses. Texas settlers blamed the
Caddo for the Comanche raids. In 1859,
angry Texans tried to kill the Brazos
Reservation Caddo. Finally, the Caddo
moved to a reservation in Oklahoma.
Chief Jose Maria

22 23
 The Comanche Give Up
In 1867, most Comanche
Dawes Act the Plains groups signed the Medicine
Henry Dawes was the The Comanche’s rule over the plains Lodge Treaty. They gave up
author of the Dawes
ended with disease and war. Reservations their land for a reservation
General Allotment
Act, or Dawes Act. He and land laws took away their homes. in Oklahoma. The Kwahadi
wanted to help American Smallpox epidemics (ep-i-DEM-iks) in stayed on the plains. But they
Indians. He thought 1780 and 1816 wiped out entire Comanche soon learned of a new enemy.
the U. S. government bands. During the 1840s, California gold American bison hunters killed
should help to “civilize”
rushers came through the Comanchería, millions of plains bison. The
them. Like most white
Americans, Dawes thought bringing another deadly wave of smallpox Kwahadi lost a fight against the
that people needed and cholera (KOL-er-uh) with them. hunters and the U. S. army. In
to own property to be Many Comanche also died fighting 1875, the Kwahadi moved to
civilized. The Dawes Act Texas Rangers. Rangers were state lawmen. a reservation.
was designed to civilize Dawes Act
They protected settlers from American The 1887 Dawes Act divided
American Indians by
dividing their land among Indian raiders. But they did not keep reservation lands. The goal of the act was to help
themselves. people off Comanche land. The Rangers American Indians to own their own land. But, in the
also took revenge when the Comanche end, it allowed white settlers to buy much of the land.
The act split up many
reservation lands and attacked settlers on the Comanchería.
divided them among adult the 1867 peace council
males. Any remaining at Medicine Lodge Creek
land could be sold to white
settlers. But American
Indians were used to
sharing their land with
one another. They had a
hard time adjusting to the
new lifestyle. By 1932,
white settlers owned
two‑thirds of the original
land in the Dawes Act.

24 25
 Keeping
Their Today, many of the Caddo live in
western Oklahoma. They gather to
Cultures celebrate special events. They wear
Alive ancient Caddo clothes to festivals. They
serve fried bread and other Caddo
Chief White Bread

The Caddo Today foods. The Caddo also sing and dance White Bread
White Bread was a
to their ancestors’ songs. They work
In 1928, a report linked respected Caddo leader
hard to keep the Caddo culture alive. from 1902 to 1913. He led
American Indian poverty
Ghost Dance ceremonies.
to land plots that could
In these ceremonies, there
not be farmed. In 1934, was a Ghost Dance pole
Congress passed the Indian painted black for death
Reorganization Act. It and green for renewal. As
stopped land allotments. It a chief, White Bread often
went to Washington, DC,
also returned reservation
to fight for Caddo rights.
lands to American Indians.
Many American Indian
Caddo Dances
tribes became federally
The Turkey Dance is a
recognized tribes by the women’s dance that starts
American government. This Caddo dancers off every Caddo festival.
means they became free Songs about Caddo history
nations with their own laws. are sung during the Turkey
Dance. Men and boys
These tribes also receive special funding and land rights.
perform the Drum Dance
The Kadohadacho, Hasinai, and Natchitoches became federally in the evening. They carry
recognized as the Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma in 1938. The a drum in a circle. They
Caddo started their own tribal government. In 2002, they changed also sing songs about
their name to The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Caddo women start the beginning of Caddo
the Turkey Dance. people on Earth.

26 27
 Keeping the The Comanche Today Comanche boy
Language Alive In 1967, the Comanche were federally The Comanche teach their
In 1993, the Comanche recognized as the Comanche Nation children about their ancestors’
Nation started the
of Oklahoma. They wrote their own way of life. The Comanche
Comanche Language and
Cultural Preservation constitution, or set of laws. Today, there hold annual fairs. They enjoy
Committee (CLCPC). Its are around 20,000 Comanche in the United traditional food, games, and
mission is to keep the States. Half of them live on reservation music. The Comanche work
Comanche language lands in Southwest Oklahoma. hard to preserve their arts and
alive. The CLCPC teaches
language. They also protect
Comanche people how
to speak and write their their history and landmarks.
language. It created The Caddo and Comanche
an official Comanche are Americans. They lead
alphabet in 1994. similar lives to other modern
Americans. But they are also
Code Talkers part of American Indian
During the world wars,
nations. They are direct
the United States trained
American Indians as code descendants (dih-SEN-duhnts)
talkers. Code talkers were Comanche code talkers of the first Americans. Their
soldiers who sent secret people survived war, disease,
messages using codes and the loss of their land. But
based on American Indian
the Caddo and Comanche
languages. Fourteen
Comanche soldiers served still honor the earth and
as code talkers. They spirits. They are proud of
used a code based on the their cultures and history and
Comanche language. The continue to pass them on to
Comanche word for turtle
future generations.
meant “tank.” Pregnant
airplane meant “bomber.”

28 29
 Glossary Index
alliances—associations of groups who moccasins—soft leather shoes without Americans, 16–17, 20, Europeans, 4–5, 14–15, Mexicans, 16, 20
agree to cooperate for common goals heels 22–26, 29 18 Natchitoches, 7, 26
allotment—a small section of land mohawk—long strip of hair down the Apache, 15, 18, 20–21 federally recognized Nokone, 10
archaeologists—scientists who study center of the head bison, 5, 8–13, 20, 25 tribes, 26, 28
Osage, 18
ancient people and cultures nomadic—having no fixed home; boarding schools, 23 French, 7, 14–16, 18, 22
moving with the seasons in search Parker, Quanah, 20
breechcloths—cloths worn around Brazos Reservation, 23 Ghost Dance religion,
the hips of food Penateka, 10
5, 27
reservations—areas of land set aside by Caddo bows, 9, 18 pottery, 8, 18–19
cholera—an infection that causes severe Hasinai, 7, 26
stomach illness and sometimes death the federal government for American Caddo clothing, 8–9, 27 Pueblos, 14
Indians horses, 4, 8, 10, 12,
colony—a country or area under the Caddo dances, 5, 26–27 Redcorn, Jeri, 19
14–15, 18, 23
control of another country; a group of scalps—skins covering the tops of heads Caddo leadership, 6
Indian Reorganization reservations, 5, 23–26, 28
people living there that usually are covered with hair
Caddo religion, 5–7, 27 Act, 26 Shoshone, 10, 20
confederacies—united groups of smallpox—a disease caused by a virus;
Caddoan language, 7 Indian Territory, 21 smallpox, 15, 24
American Indian tribes or bands characterized by a fever and skin rash
Caddoan mounds, 5–6 Jicarilla Apache, 20 Spanish, 11, 14–15, 18,
constitution—a written statement tepees—cone-shaped tents used
as shelter Chickasaw, 18 Jumano, 18 20, 22
outlining the basic laws for a state
or country tinkling—to make a series of ringing or children, 6, 8, 12, 23, 29 Kadohadacho, 7, 26 tepees, 12–13
descendants—people who can trace clinking sounds code talkers, 28 Kiowa, 21 Texas Rangers, 24
their ancestors or lineage to a travois—a sled made of a frame and two Comanche clothing, 11 Kwahadi, 10, 20, 25 trade, 4–5, 8, 14–15, 18
particular group poles that are attached to a horse
Comanche Language La Salle, René-Robert travois, 12–13
epidemics—widespread outbreaks treaty—a legal agreement between and Cultural de, 15 War of 1812, 22
of disease two governments Preservation
Lipan Apache, 20–21 White Bread, Chief, 27
fortified—protected or strengthened turquoise—greenish blue semiprecious Committee
against attack stone used in jewelry (CLCPC), 28 Louisiana Purchase, 16, Wilson, Jack, see
22 Wovoka, 5
landmarks—important buildings worshipped—honored or adored Comanche leadership,
or statues something or someone, usually a god 11, 13, 20 Maria, Jose, 23 Wovoka, 5
matrilineal—passed down or inherited Comanche religion, 13 Medicine Lodge Treaty,
through the mother’s family 25
Comanchería, 10, 16, 24
Mescalero Apache, 20
Dawes Act, 24–25

30 31
 Your Turn!
American Indians were the first people to live in Texas. Two of
the main tribes in the region were the Caddo and Comanche.
The Caddo lived in East Texas in the Red River Valley. They
became expert farmers and traders. The Comanche were nomadic
hunters. They followed buffalo herds across the Texas plains.
They were expert horse trainers. They were also known for
raiding other tribes and white settlements.

Which One Would You Choose?

The Caddo and Comanche tribes were the first residents of Texas.
But their ways of life were very different. Which way of life would
you have liked better? Write a paragraph that explains the reasons
for your choice.

32
PRIMARY SOURCE READERS

Caddo and
Comanche
The Caddo and Comanche were two of the
largest American Indian tribes living in Texas
before European contact. They had their
own traditions, but they shared a deep respect
for nature. When Europeans arrived, they
responded differently to these foreigners. The
Caddo tried to live in peace with white settlers
through trade. But the Comanche were more
warlike, fighting against European colonists,
American settlers, and other American Indian
tribes. And they both continue to fight to keep
their cultures alive.

TCM 16041 ●