Pawnee

The Pawnee were a North American Plains Indian tribe who lived on the Platte River, Nebraska, from before the 16^th century to the latter part of the 19^th century. In the 1800's, the Pawnee tribe was composed of relatively independent bands; the Kitkehahki, Chaui, Pitahauerat, and the Skidi. Each of these were divided into villages, the basic social unit of the Pawnee people. The name, “Pawnee�?comes from the native word ‘pariki; meaning ‘a horn�? referring to their scalp-lock.

The Pawnee lived in large, dome shaped, earth-covering lodges. Skin tepees were used for buffalo hunts. The earth lodge evolved from a long rectangular structure to one of circular shape possibly due to the progressive moves north. Building an earth lodge begins with 10-15 posts set in the ground; approximately 5 3/4' high and spaced 10' apart in a circle. This would define the floor area of the lodge. Beams were then laid on the top of these posts. Four posts were set in the ground each rising to a height of 11-16' in the center of this circle. The framework was covered with layers of willow branches, grass, and earth. Saplings were laid horizontally to cover the space between the four central beams. A hole was left open at the top for the combined chimney and skylight. A covered entrance passage was built in a similar way with posts. The door was made of a piece of buffalo rawhide stretched on a willow frame that swung inward. It was secured at night by a piece of wood wedged between the door posts. The fireplace was a circular depression at the center of the lodge that was surrounded by flat rocks. Their floor area was approximately three feet below ground level. The earth lodge was semi-subterranean, that is, an earth lodge that encircled the entire lodge.

The women raised corn (maize), squash and beans. They had developed the art of pottery making. Women were active participants with tribal trade relations not only in producing goods but also in controlling the distribution of the surplus within and beyond the tribe. Women were also included in various ceremonies pertaining food production, bountiful harvests, and buffalo calling.

Women were perceived as having the power of life. They would carry their babies in a cradle on their backs. The cradles were made of a long flat cottonwood board that was slightly wider at the top than at the bottom. There were painted symbols of Morning Star and Sun on the cradle. The cradle was covered with skin of a spotted wild cat which was the emblem of a starry sky. The board hooped over the child's head that had a painted rainbow on it. Women assisted their husbands in handling and caring for their medicine bundles.

Class distinctions favored chiefs and priests. Each chief of a village or band had a sacred bundle. Their priest/medicine man had special powers to treat illness and to ward off enemy raids and food shortages. Priests were trained in the performance of rituals and sacred songs. The Pawnee also had hunting and military societies. Wearing the Pawnee skin shirt was one of the outstanding symbols of high status. Very few men were privileged to wear them. Most ceremonial shirts had quilted or beaded bands over their shoulders. Painted hands indicated hand-to-hand combat.

The religion of the Pawnee was quite complex. They identified the heavenly gods with the stars. The Pawnee believed some of the stars to be gods and used astronomy throughout their daily activities. The stars would indicate when to plant corn. Corn was regarded as a symbolic mother through whom the sun god bestowed his blessing. Tirawahat was considered the power of the universe; the first god and the first cause of all. It was Tirawahat who both created and governed the universe through the commands executed by all the lesser gods. During many of their religious ceremonies, emphasis was placed on the bringing of life in which human sacrifice was practiced.

The population of the Pawnee in the 1780's was estimated at 10,000. In the 1840's, with the opening of a trail through their country, European diseases, alcohol, and war with other tribes their numbers were reduced to 4,500. The influx of white missionaries contributed to the gradual abandonment of their ancient customs and religious ceremonies. In 1970, the number of Pawnee was just under 2,000 with most of them located in Pawnee County, Oklahoma.