The majority of the book’s chapters are filled with legends and superstitions about the Kiowa, its religion, and its traditions. Although chapter 17 also tells the story of Momaday’s ancestors, this one, in particular, seems more realistic than many others. This paragraph focuses a lot on the role of women and their image in the tribe. Mostly they are depicted in a negative way as unworthy and treacherous.
In the story, one of the leading female characters is portrayed as cruel and unjust towards the man. He was a decent hunter who could not see, but still, he managed to perform his duty to protect and feed the family. Once on a hunt, when he got big prey, his wife convinced him that the man did not kill the buffalo. Then she took it to the village, leaving her husband all alone in the woods. Eventually, some people from the local camp accidentally found him after a week and brought him with them to the tribe. When they arrived, a young woman was telling the story about her husband, who was murdered due to the enemies’ attack (Momaday, 1969). The survivor soon enough realized that the voice belonged to his wife, and after that, she was banished from the tribe.
Women did not have much power and influence back then. They were treated poorly, and the male part of the tribe could easily harm or abuse them. For instance, Momaday (1969) tells about when a man killed his wife because she agreed to spend time with the leader. Another case happened around the winter of 1851, and one member of Kiowa kidnapped a married woman from her family and made her freeze in the snow (Momaday, 1969). Unfortunately, such occasions were not rare in the community, and native people gave women very little recognition and allowed them a small role in the life of the tribe. Thus, the legend strongly correlates with the actual situation at that time. Women’s position was almost the same as the slaves,’ but only slightly higher, and men did not consider them equal (Momaday, 1969). The narrator remembered his grandmother, an outstanding female member of the Kiowa tribe and was respected by the people. In contrast to other women, she had physical and mental abilities just as strong as men’s and symbolized female empowerment.
The picture with a man on a horse chasing the buffalo is one of the best and most appropriate illustrations of the chapter, and the specific story told. The hunter goes after the beast with a spear in his hand, aiming to kill it to use his meat for food and the skin for making clothes. It demonstrates the man’s role in Kiowa and the primary duties to help the tribe survive and keep it safe. Due to their significance to the tribe, they had a dominant position and consequently perceived women who did not risk their lives as lower in status. Although women did not participate in the hunt, they still were essential to the survival of the tribe. The second media element portrays that women were always alongside men, ready to assist them and do everything possible to contribute to the well-being of their families. They took care of the camps, children, and elders and created the required conditions for a living. Therefore, their role should not be underestimated, and their presence in the history of indigenous people should be remembered.
Reference
Momaday, N. S. (1969). The way to rainy mountain. UNM Press.