Koitsenko - Warrior Societies Among The Kiowa

Warrior Societies Among The Kiowa

There were six warrior societies in the Kiowa Tribe during the plains nomad years. Five were for grown warriors, the sixth for boys. The military societies were called "Dog Soldiers" because of visions and dreams of dogs. The Koitsenko were known as the "Real Dogs." All young boys were enrolled in the Rabbit Warrior Society, the sixth recognized warrior society. The other five could be joined as the boys grew up. The Tiah-pah Society, O-Ho-Mah Warrior Society, Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society and Kiowa Gourd Dance Clan are warrior societies. The most skilled members and elite of all the warriors out of all the societies of every branch of the Kiowa were the Koitsenko. The Koitsenko was an honorary group of ten greatest warriors who were elected from the five adult warrior societies. The soldier societies policed the campsite and went on hunts and into war.

In the Keah-ko Winter count, White Bear is represented as passing on the leadership of the Koitsenko to White Bear in 1874.

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