Skidi Pawnee
The Skidi Pawnee, or theWolf Pawnee, are one of the four confederated
bands in the Pawnee Nation. The Skidi band at one time consisted of nineteen
separate villages along the Loup River in central Nebraska. They lived there
until, in 1858, they joined the three other Pawnee bands to live on a
reservation in southern Nebraska. Several years later they were relocated to
Oklahoma. The Skidi are much like the other Pawnee
in many aspects, but
their social organization is quite unique. The Skidi Pawnee, even though their numbers have shrunk, still
make valuable contributions to our society today. Location: NebraskaTraditions: The Skidi
traditionally lived in earth lodges but also used conical tipis made of
buffalo hide. The earth lodge was usually a dome-shaped structure about 40 feet
in diameter and 15 feet tall. On the east side there was a passageway entrance
about 12 feet tall, 7 feet wide, and 8 feet long. On the west side was kept the
wiharu, or sacred altar. This altar consisted of a buffalo skull facing the
entrance of the lodge and a sacred bundle or other religious items hanging from
the ceiling of the lodge. During the winter a sweat lodge was built on the
north side. On the south side food and provisions were stored underground.
Sleeping platforms made of willow rods and woven reed mats were set up along
the north and south sides. The actual bed was a tanned buffalo robe and a
pillow of smoke-tanned hide stuffed with deer or antelope hair. The Skidi only
used tipis in the summer months for following the buffalo herds; the use of
both of these types of homes was mostly a luxury of the well-to-do.
The traditional dress of the Skidi is similar to other Plains tribes, but they were known
for, like the other Pawnee bands, the distinct way the men wore their hair. Skidi Pawnee men usually wore just a loincloth and moccasins the summer, but in
the winter they added leggings and a buffalo robe. Women wore a dress of tanned
buffalo hide, leggings, and moccasins. Both men and women pierced their ears
and wore many earrings. The men plucked all the hair from their faces and
shaved their heads except for a ridge down the center that they would sometimes
spike up with buffalo grease for certain occasions.
The Skidi’s social organization was based on rank, not clan. In
each of the nineteen villages there was a chief, usually the son of the chief
before him. Next in rank were the four Nahikuts, or
men who would settle
disputes among the villagers. Then came the four
Kurahoos, or priests who were
in charge of religious ceremonies. Also, there were the
Kurau, or medicine men.
Next in rank were the Narawiraris, or
warriors who had proven themselves in battle.
Finally there was the rest of the village
including those with no rank and the poor.
Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not
claim expertise on the Skidi Pawnee.
Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the
web address of this page.
If you are Skidi Pawnee, your feedback is much appreciated.
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma http://www.pawneenation.org/
Resources:
Dorsey, George Amos. Traditions of the Skidi
Pawnee. New York: Kraus Reprint Co., 1969.
“Pawnee Nation of
Oklahoma.” Pawnee Nation Housing Authority Website. 3 June, 1999.
http:/pawneenation.com/ 16 Oct. 1999
Written by: Christina Berberich
|
