Zotom (warrior)
Zotom was a notable warrior from the Kiowa tribe, known for his participation in horse-stealing raids across Texas and Mexico during his youth. In 1875, he, along with seventy-one fellow tribesmen, was captured and sent to Fort Marion, Florida, for what was termed "rehabilitation." This experience led Zotom to discover his artistic talents; he became a skilled dancer, painter, and orator, with his decorated ladies' fans gaining considerable popularity. His drawing books serve as important historical records, depicting Indian life on the Plains and at Fort Marion. In 1878, Zotom sought a spiritual path by studying for the Episcopalian ministry, becoming a deacon in 1881, but later faced challenges reconciling his cultural identity within this role. Eventually, in 1894, he left the ministry and found spiritual fulfillment in the Native American Church. Art became both his passion and livelihood, as he created significant works, including scale models of tipis for the 1898 Omaha exposition and a series of buckskin shield covers that contribute to our understanding of Kiowa culture. Zotom passed away in Oklahoma at the age of sixty on April 27, 1913.
Zotom (warrior)
Category: Artist, warrior, missionary
Tribal affiliation: Kiowa
Significance: Zotom’s pictographs on ladies’ fans, his model tipis, and his shield covers provide valuable ethnographic and artistic data
Zotom was a warrior who, as a young man, participated in horse-stealing raids in Texas and Mexico. In 1875, he and seventy-one other Indians were captured and exiled to Fort Marion, Florida, for “rehabilitation.” There, Zotom discovered his latent artistic talents: He was a graceful dancer, a gifted painter, and an accomplished orator. His decorated ladies’ fans were in great demand. His drawing books chronicle Indian activities in the Plains and at the Fort. In 1878, Zotom went to Paris Hill, near Utica, New York, to study for the Episcopalian ministry; he was baptized in October. Ordained deacon in 1881, Zotom returned to Indian territory to convert the Kiowa but was unable to reconcile the cultural dualities he faced, and in 1894 was dropped as a deacon and missionary. His spiritual needs were answered when he joined the Native American Church. Art became his passion and source of income. He made scale models of tipis for the 1898 Omaha exposition. His series of buckskin shield covers provides valuable ethnographic and artistic knowledge. Zotom died at age sixty in Oklahoma on April 27, 1913.
