228 CALENDAR HISTORY OF THE KIOWA [eth.ann.17 



is now forgotteu. These divisions are not clans or gentes (social) based 

 on marriage regulations, but subtribes (political), each division hav- 

 ing had originally its own chief, subordinate to the recognized head 

 chief of the tribe, with certain peculiarities of dialect and sometimes 

 its special "medicine" or religious ceremonial. They may have been 

 in the beginning distinct cognate tribes, with the exception of the 

 Apache, which confederated at a later period for mutual assistance. 

 The Comanche, although now allied with the Kiowa, have no part in 

 their tribal organization or ceremonies 



THE CAMP CIRCLE 



The names of the bands and their order in the camp circle on the 

 occasion of all tribal gatherings are as follows: 



1. K afa, " Biters," i. e., Arikara. This is the largest and most impor- 

 tant division, occupying the first place in the camp circle, immediately 

 south of the door or entrance. To it belonged Dohasiin, the great 

 chief who ruled the Kiowa for more than thirty years. To his family 

 was assigned the hereditary duty of furnishing the buffalo for e.ich 

 annual sun dance. At present the K at'a may be said to constitute the 

 aristocracy of the tribe. The name is said not to indicate an admix- 

 ture of Ree or Arikara blood, but simply a more intimate trading 

 association with that tribe in early days. As this association was 

 comparatively modern, the word may be a substitute for another name 

 discarded, in accordance with a Kiowa custom, in consequence of the 

 death of some noted individual of the same name. They are some- 

 times called Gd'i-K afa, " Kiowa K'at'a," to distinguish them from the 

 Arikara i)roper. 



2. Kogui, "Elk." This band took the lead in war ceremonials. 

 A'd^te, whose camp was surprised and destroyed by the Osage in 

 1833, was its chief. Sett'aiQte and the first Big-bow also belonged to 

 this band. 



3. 6u'-i(/wu, "Kiowa proper." This may have been the original nu- 

 cleus of the Kiowa tribe, as the name would seem to imply. Although 

 not numerous, they are held in much respect, are the keepers of the 

 taime, and have charge of the K ado Do, or xn-iestly tipi, at the sun- 

 dance ceremony. The western side of the circle properly belongs to 

 them, but in consequence of their small number individuals of other 

 bands sometimes camp with them. 



4. Kirwp, "Big Shields." To them belonged the gadonihitsonhi image 

 or idol, now lost, which was exposed in front of the taime image at the 

 annual sun dance. 



5. Semdt, "Thieves," i. e., Apache. Although a distinct tribe, they 

 have formed an integral part of the Kiowa tribal circle from the ear- 

 liest traditionary period. 



6. Konta'lyui, "Black Boys," or Sindiyui, "Sindi's children." No 

 reason is assigned for either of these names, which are about equally 



