Societies of the Kiowas

A field investigation presents a systematic account of Kiowa social organizations, detailing six men's societies and two women's societies, their names, membership rules, ceremonial functions, and relative prestige. One society includes all boys while an elite warrior group holds the highest status; most adult societies are of equal rank, membership is exclusive (one society at a time), not bought, and age is generally irrelevant. The societies meet intensively between a sun dance announcement and the dance, provide camp policing, regulate raids and buffalo hunts, and stage instructional fighting displays. Comparison with other Plains tribes highlights differences in promotion, mutual-benefit obligations, and organizational practices, with informants used to corroborate findings.