Arapaho

North Americahunter-gatherers
Map
expand_more Description

The Arapaho originally lived in the Great Lakes region but shifted onto the Northern Plains where they adopted a nomadic horse-riding culture primarily hunting buffalo. In 1878, they were settled onto reservations in Oklahoma along with the Cheyenne (the Southern Arapaho) and Wyoming along with the Shoshone (the Northern Arapaho). Sociopolitical organization and structure are based on an age-grade system in which elders hold spiritual power and authority. Newer elements of Christianity, Peyote Cult, Sun Dance ceremonies, and American political organization modified sociopolitical life, but have not undermined the roles of the elders.

Identifier
Region
  • North America
Subregion
  • Plains and Plateau
Subsistence Type
  • hunter-gatherers
Countries
  • United States
External Links