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What roles did military societies have in Plains communities?
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Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains
Dancers at the Totah Festival Powwow performing the Northern Tradition dance, a dance inspired by Plains traditions, on September 1, 2007, in Farmington, New Mexico.
In the traditional cultures of the Great Plains, military societies served as essential secular associations that supported community governance and social structure. Their primary roles included:
- Maintaining Order: Military societies acted as a police force for the community, helping to enforce the decisions made by tribal leaders.1
- Leadership Support: Alongside individual leaders who demonstrated wisdom and bravery, these societies were fundamental to the political organization of bands, ensuring the group's continued survival through the management of activities like communal hunts and defense.1
- Competition and Status: These groups often functioned as rivals for battle honors, with members competing to prove their prowess in war. In some tribes, such as the Apsáalooke, societies like the Lumpwoods and Foxes competed fiercely in feats of war to gain renown.2
- Social Organization: In many tribes, such as the Arapaho, Blackfoot, Mandan, and Hidatsa, these societies were organized into age sets. Members purchased regalia and privileges from the next older cohort, creating a structured system of progression through the society.2