Arapoosh
Arapoosh, also known as Rotten Belly or Sour Belly, was a prominent figure among the River Crow people in what is now northern Wyoming and southern Montana. Renowned for his surly temperament and extraordinary bravery, he emerged as a leading warrior against traditional enemies such as the Blackfeet, Sioux, and Northern Cheyennes. Arapoosh was deeply spiritual, receiving a guardian spirit vision from the "Man in the Moon," which he symbolized on his medicine shield. This shield played a crucial role in his battle preparations, as he would use it to predict the outcomes of engagements based on its positioning after being rolled along tipis.
In 1825, Arapoosh expressed his mistrust of the intentions of white settlers by refusing to sign a treaty with the United States, choosing instead to protect his tribe's territory. His reputation extended beyond his own people; even traders like William Sublette recognized his formidable presence. In a notable prophecy before a battle in 1833, Arapoosh foretold his own death, claiming that the rising of his shield would indicate his fate. Tragically, during that battle, his shield did rise, and Arapoosh lost his life, marking the end of a significant warrior's journey in Crow history.
Subject Terms
Arapoosh
- Born: c. 1790
- Birthplace: Northern Wyoming
- Died: August 1, 1834
- Place of death: Place unknown
Tribal affiliation: Crow
Significance: Revered for his extraordinary spiritual powers, Arapoosh was believed to be virtually invincible in battle
Known to whites as Rotten Belly or Sour Belly, Arapoosh apparently earned his name through his disposition: He was surly, ill-tempered, and impatient. He was also known to be extraordinarily brave. The foremost warrior among the River Crow who lived along the Big Horn, Powder, and Wind rivers in present-day northern Wyoming and southern Montana, Arapoosh led his people against their traditional Indian enemies, the Blackfeet, Sioux, and Northern Cheyennes.
After receiving a guardian spirit vision from the “Man in the Moon,” Arapoosh adopted that symbol, painting it on his medicine shield. Before battle, Arapoosh would roll his shield along a line of tipis, using its position as it fell as an omen for the coming battle. If it landed with his insignia facing down, the project was doomed and consequently abandoned; face up, however, augured well for the engagement and the battle was waged.
Believing his tribe’s future was threatened by the proposed reservation, and voicing his suspicions of the ultimate intentions of whites, Arapoosh in 1825 refused to sign a treaty of friendship negotiated between the Crow and the United States. Instead he continued to protect the lush Crow territory from other tribes as well as from whites.
At Pierre’s Hole, Idaho, Arapoosh met the trader and Hudson’s Bay Company representative William Sublette, who was much impressed with his bearing and reputation.
During a war between the Crow and the Blackfeet in 1833, Arapoosh prophesied his own death. Resting his shield on a pile of buffalo chips, he claimed that he would die in the coming battle if his shield rose into the air of its own volition. Purportedly it did just that, rising to a height level with his head. Arapoosh died in the battle.