Two Leggings
Two Leggings, initially named Big Crane, is a significant historical figure from the Crow Nation, born along the Bighorn River in Montana. He was later given the name His Eyes Are Dreamy after a lengthy but unsuccessful vision quest. As a young warrior, Two Leggings engaged in conflicts against traditional enemies, particularly the Sioux, while his tribe maintained a generally peaceful relationship with white settlers during that period. Between 1919 and 1923, he shared his life story with anthropologist William Wildschut, which included rich details about Crow culture and the experiences of a warrior. This work was sponsored by the Heye Foundation and culminated in the manuscript titled *Two Leggings: The Making of a Crow Warrior*, published in 1967 and edited by Peter Nabokov. The manuscript is recognized as an essential resource for understanding the intricacies of Crow life and traditions. Two Leggings also had a family, marrying Ties Up Her Bundle and adopting two children, Red Clay Woman and Sings to the Sweat Lodge, which further highlights the familial aspects of Crow society.
Two Leggings
- Born: c. 1844
- Birthplace: Along the Bighorn River, Montana
- Died: April 23, 1923
- Place of death: Hardin, Montana
Category: Anthropological informant
Tribal affiliation: Crow
Significance: Two Leggings provided invaluable insights regarding his life as a Crow warrior to anthropologist William Wildschut
Two Leggings, originally known as Big Crane, was born along the Bighorn River in Montana. He received the name His Eyes Are Dreamy following an unusually long and failed vision quest. As a young Crow warrior, he participated in raids for horses against the traditional Crow enemies, the Sioux. At that time, the Crow were peaceful toward white settlers.
Between 1919 and 1923, Two Leggings related his life story to a Montana businessman and anthropologist, William Wildschut. Under the sponsorship of the Heye Foundation of the Museum of the American Indian, Wildschut recorded Two Leggings’ detailed observations regarding everyday Crow life and the life-cycles of a Crow warrior. Wildschut’s manuscript, entitled Two Leggings: The Making of a Crow Warrior, was edited by anthropologist Peter Nabokov and published in 1967. It is an invaluable source of anthropological data on the tribe. Two Leggings married Ties Up Her Bundle, and together they reared two adopted children, Red Clay Woman and Sings to the Sweat Lodge.