The Pawnee


The Pawnee were a North American Plains Indian tribe who lived on the Platte
River, Nebraska, from before the 16th century to the latter part of the 19th
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.

Today, the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma operates a modern-day, sovereign tribal
government. The supreme governing body of the Pawnee Nation is the Pawnee
Business Council, an eight member council. Executive and Legislative powers are vested
in this governing body. The elected officials of this body are elected every
four years to staggered terms. The Pawnee Nation also has a traditional council
of Chiefs, the Nasharo Council, comprised of two chiefs from each of the four
bands who are elected by tribal members every four years. These two bodies
provide traditional and modern forms of governance for the Pawnee Nation and
exercise their jurisdiction over the 684-acre Pawnee Nation reserve and the more than
29,951 acres that comprise our traditional boundaries within Oklahoma