Native American military societies
Native American military societies, often referred to as sodalities, were voluntary organizations primarily composed of men from various bands within a tribe. Predominantly found within the Plains cultures, these societies were typically structured by age, allowing individuals to gain status as they grew older. Some tribes, like the Blackfeet, featured multiple military societies, each led by prominent war chiefs accompanied by subchiefs, messengers, and ambassadors. Competition among societies was common, manifesting through games, displays of endurance, and military accomplishments. Despite sharing similar organizational structures, each society maintained its unique cultural elements, including sacred items, songs, and distinctive dress. These societies played a crucial role in enculturating young men into the principles of warfare, emphasizing values such as bravery and honor. Additionally, they contributed to social order during communal activities like bison hunting and facilitated the management of tribal ceremonies. Overall, these military societies were integral to the social and cultural fabric of Native American life.
Native American military societies
Tribes affected: Primarily Plains tribes
Significance: The main function of military societies was to enculturate young men into the ways and ethos of warfare
Military societies, or sodalities, were made up of men from different bands within a tribe. They were most common, and highly developed, in the Plains culture. These voluntary societies were often age-graded, with a person usually gaining greater status with age. Sometimes one could shift membership and allegiance to another society. Some tribes, such as the Blackfeet, had as many as seven military societies. The societies’ leaders were the main war chiefs of the tribe, who would have an entourage of subchiefs, messengers, and “ambassadors.” There was often competition between the societies in games, physical endurance, and military deeds. Each fraternity, though fundamentally alike in their internal organization, had its own sacred and profane paraphernalia, war and dance songs, power bundles, rattles, pipes, emblems, and dress. Many societies were totemic by name and origin, which was sometimes reflected in Native American dances and in art form upon shields, horses, and even a member’s body.
The main functions of these societies were to enculturate young men into the ways and ethos of Native American warfare; to embody the concepts of self-control, bravery, and honor; to exercise social control during communal bison hunting; to police tribal ceremonies; and to accord status to a society’s members.