Native Cultural Arts: Comanche Bow and Arrows

[@bojens865]

I’m 80. As kids we all knew how to make bows and arrows, slingshots, kites, whistles and anything that we could whittles with the pocket knives we all carried. We learned it all from older brothers, fathers, uncles and each other. All that kid knowledge, passed down from one kid to the other for centuries has disappeared in my lifetime. We watch this, not to learn how to make a bow and arrow, but because we’re fascinated by the last man doing what everyone in his world used to do as a matter of course.

[@rickrobitaille8809]

🇨🇦🇺🇸perfect 😄

[@bojens865]

We'll always have tree branches. Hopefully pocket knives will remain legal. What's new is cardboard. With on-line shopping, everyone has more boxes than they know what to do with. KZbin is full of videos on what to make. Its the new plywood.

[@bojens865]

@@user-nd4le6ul5u i live in the U.S. next to a park. I can see the playground from my window. No children! A few times a week, maybe a child, always with an adult. Probably has custody for that day. A child outside alone would be reported to the police, perhaps taken from the parents. At the local school, during recess, 4(four) adults keeping their eye on maybe 30 kids playing outside, but on astroturf safety surfaces. After school, no children in sight. Sort of like 'Silent Spring' with no birds. No more hop-scotch diagrams chalked on the sidewalks; no more balls in your yard or through your window. They're all inside, doing what? Reading, playing the piano? I don't think so. They're staring at screens, becoming near-sighted, needing glasses, becoming zombies. None of this, of course, is strange or unsual to any one, exept those of us who remember when it wasn't so.

[@justincase3230]

That's still a thing we just don't whittle stuff. My older bro taught me all kinds of stuff I could make including slingshots. But yeah lost knowledge and skills is always sad. A bunch of kids still carry knives too just probably for different reasons lol

[@restaurantattheendofthegalaxy]

The Comanche numbered some 200,000 in 1750 before much contact with the west. By 1890, there were only 1500 left led by Quannah Parker when they finall went to the reservation in Oklahoma. They were warriors and only knew fighting and killing and stealing horses. They killed tens of thousands of white settlers indiscriminately just the joy of cutting the men head to toe with their war lances to spill their internal organs, then raped all the women down to the age of 7 or 8, while the men died screaming in their own viscera. Lastly they build a fire and roasted the women alive. Nice guys. Even the Sioux and Crow thought them uncivilized. The nearly wiped out the Apache and stoped the westward expansion of the United States for over 100 years. They refused to stop fighting white men, and if they were forced into a treaty immediately broke it. The could not farm, they could not ranch nor build permanent structures. The savagely fought anyone who wasn’t Comanche. In the end the US sent enough army troops to defeat them by fighting the way the Comanche did. In the end there were 1500 left, they were no given a reservation because they supported the confederates in the US civil war. Their living descendants see nothing wrong with the behavior of their ancestors, murdering white families, smashing infants against trees, etc.

[@robfielding100]

I’m an English Longbowman. My Bow is 78 inches long and the power goes from 55 lbw to 140 lbw for the big Warbow. I’ve made hundreds of arrows over the years mainly 28 inch to 32 inch. It’s great to see traditional skills being passed onto the next generations. We say the Brotherhood of the Bow.

[@mercoid]

It’s amazing the variety of bows there have been throughout the ages, in vastly different places all over the world. All quite different from each other yet all serving very well the purposes of those who used them. Really all it is is a big SPRING. So simple that ancient peoples all over the globe employed them for survival over thousands of years. It’s fascinating.

[@blacksnapper7684]

Facts

[@MusMasi]

@@QuantumMech_88 maybe its a bow for young boys to practice with?

[@mattconroy3918]

@@MusMasi I make 48 inch horse bows all the time, 60 pounds. not exactly a kids bow.

[@rickrobitaille8809]

🎯🇨🇦🇺🇸🌐😄

[@NNocona]

Rest in peace Elder Pekah. I would’ve loved a wood carving lesson from this man.

[@ZemplinTemplar]

My sincere condolences to all his family and relatives. :-(

[@2jriehl]

I think you have the wrong brother in mind. Gene Pekah passed away last year. Willie is still making bows and arrows.

[@AutisticArcher]

As an archer, Dutch Traditional Hunting, I bow my head out of respect for this craftsman

[@AutisticArcher]

@bastiat Take lessons from someone who understand this discipline. This discipline something not very known in the Archery world

[@billsadler3]

How does your bow fit on your head? Wouldn't just a nod of appreciation do? And what does it do to the bow? Seems extreme. 🤣🤣

[@Nubenhoofer]

Wow.. I'm so glad this guy is out there. This is what the internet was made for. Forget all the arguing and politics. This man is preserving his heritage in beautiful fashion. My heart aches when I think of how many tribal arts have been lost. Thank you Willie for sharing this amazing skill with the world. I can't wait to teach my son when he's old enough!

[@Viz-Jaqtaar]

Preserving heritage is political.

[@Kraligor]

@@Viz-Jaqtaar It really isn't.

[@SoBayK80]

@Viz-Jaqtaar considering politics are the distribution of power, I'd agree that being able to self defend and NEVER CAPITULATE TO FEDS is heritage, politicized 🙃

[@SoBayK80]

This is (part of) my culture, I'm here to learn from those more learned than I. We are the fulfillment of our ancestors wildest dreams.

[@spudkidmandudebro]

@@Viz-JaqtaarPolitical?! Please elaborate if you even can 😂

[@jimbigboystoys4077]

Native American craftsmanship from the days of old has always fascinated me. And as a traditional archer myself, I find this sort of stuff, especially interesting.

[@andrewlast1535]

Am I the only one to chuckle at the thought of the Comanche making arrow points out of settlers wagon wheels? Lol That’s some OG Trolling.

[@BrianDoherty-e8s]

There might have been a little delay as they waited for the steel rim to cool!

[@crustybastard1068]

From the stone age to the jet age in 80 years. It's great seeing a craftsman reviving the old ways .

[@nuketeacup]

What a fantastic video. Willie Pekah is a fount of knowledge, I could listen to him talk about this stuff for hours. Thank you for preserving this knowledge for generations to come!

[@carrollmcpherson4530]

I think you should know that there are many many people, people of your culture and people of others including myself that really appreciate you sharing this with us.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

You sir are a national treasure and a credit to the Comanche Nation. Thank you for your lecture on these wonderful bows and arrows.

[@warrens.5933]

Whelp you immortalized your people's tradition. Thank you old timer!!

[@georgeehmke3283]

Wow. What an incredible treasure of skill and knowledge this man is. Fascinating insights of a fascinating culture. Keeping it alive. God bless him and 'his people'.

[@jadeddragon4254]

The bow making is fascinating but there isn’t much that is admirable about what the Comanche did to innocent civilians and others. Facts.

[@nisurasamfitness115]

@@jadeddragon4254 whites did just as horrendous things, just sneakily in a systematic manner whereas warriors did it in a face to face manner

[@johnpages4627]

je réponds quel bois il utilise l'indien pour faire son arc et ses flèches ?

[@nisurasamfitness115]

@@johnpages4627 Osage orange wood was used by comanches, kiowas and southern plains indian natives

[@johnpages4627]

@@nisurasamfitness115 je réponds vous me dites le bois d'oranger des osages et l'orangé je connais mais osages je ne connais pas qu'est que ça veut dire l osages !

[@wolfa5151]

The old man still has his deadly touch. Good on him. Man and arrow, in motion. Silent, and by stealth. There is and always has been beauty in perfection. He is proof to us all that it still exists. Respect ❗️

[@joeycrooker1282]

I have been shooting traditional bow since the age of 8 , and am a proud Comanche descendent of Quanah Parker.....

[@jamestompkins2349]

My uncle by marriage was Leroy Parker of Kenefick Texas and he to was a descendant of Quanah Parker!

[@billyray323]

Lovely to see Sir, we shouldn't lose our historical crafts & traditions, they should be passed on to younger people's, so that the skills don't die out. Great video ✌🏻🇬🇧

[@natetaylor9002]

I suppose a good idea would be to encourage more Elders/Craftsmen to use KZbin (and such) to post their knowledge, before it disappears!

[@Nate-bn5kk]

That method doesn't work well for dying traditions and skills. The best thing to do is keep it well documented and explained in good detail, so that any one interested in the future can replicate the art. But definitely keep teaching to people who are willing to listen, I'm not discouraging that.

[@L2FlyMN]

Love it! Keep that knowledge alive, never to be lost to history!!

[@bobcampbell5151]

Never forget !! Listen to Johnny Cash .. to these talking leaves..This world would have been defferent If all natives worked fight together .Still doing the same thing today.WORK TOGETHER

[@marksmith5536]

I am a Cherokee passing as white and it was very interesting to see archery from your perspective.We must keep our traditions alive, not because it's cool but because it is us ,we don't want to die as a culture. Love you Brother.

[@craigjovanovich6450]

I really enjoyed this! Please thank Mr. Pekah for the time. Fascinating.

[@joygrubb7463]

Willie, I loved your video. My name is Jim Grubb, I got my Uncle an old Scotts Irishman to help my make my first bow in 1956 when I was 7. My favorite arrows were dried hemp weeds or muliflora rose tipped with .38 cal brass.Still in love with the rose shafts. He made it out of green apple limbs cut at an angle & taped in the handle. I don't get to far from home, but, its great here in the S/W corner of Iowa. I live close to the Loes Hills where Chief Waubonsie is Laied to rest. I too love short Hedge Apple wood for bows. I found over the years I can get very close to deer & a short draw with no anchor Will hit anything I can look at. As long as you never make eye contact, if you do they will know whats in your mind just like the tall man does. Too much about me. I would truly like to see more bow making from your perspective. I like all kinds of bows, but, I'm in love at this time with Hoopa & Modock paddle bows.

[@yebobaba]

Very interesting. I was always interested in how the Indians made the arrows. I saw a very informative video on how flint was shaped. I always wondered where they got the metal for arrow heads, and now I know. Thank you for this video.

[@silverwiskers7371]

what a true craftsman looks like, awesome that he keeping his peoples traditions alive

[@curtishawkins4123]

Having made several osage bows and dogwood arrows, I can tell you that your first arrows are as difficult to make as the actual bow. Takes a bit to get right at first, but then becomes easy. People have a hard time believing that one can make as nice of arrow this way as you can with a factory shaft but it's entirely doable. Nice job sir!

[@johnhalverson2849]

Any bow will shoot an arrow, that is just physics. You only get consistency when the Fletcher knows how to make good arrows. Been doing this 20 years and I am still finding consistent arrows to be the harder part of the job!

[@seanarmstrong7767]

@@johnhalverson2849 I believe Ishi was quoted saying something along the lines of any bow will do but arrows are what kill deer.

[@paavobergmann4920]

@@seanarmstrong7767 Jup. I can not stress that enough. I can absolutely confirm from multiple tournaments: You can win with any crappy old stick as long as it is just strong enough (not too strong), and you know it well, but bring crappy, uneven arrows, and you have no chance to even hit anything. They will just go all over the place. To do archery well, making good consistent arrows is the more important, and more difficult, part.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

I love the way he explains the ballistics of trajectory of Comanche archery. A true warrior should know like how a modern soldier should know about battle sight zero in modern combat. The feel of a warrior's weapon to be accurate in battle or hunting is his skill to survive in all situations..

[@reginaldwelkin]

This is some awesome oral history and nice craftsmanship! I'd love to see some of this knowledge shown in historical movies, to educate the laymen.

[@jonfisher9214]

I haven't made a bow and arrows in years. I might have to make a new set after watching this. Great content, thank you.

[@samwell707]

This was GREAT! There’s so much info about the weapons the TX Rangers used between 1833-1890 but so little about what Comanche ppl used. I’d love love love to see something about their lances

[@xjp1998]

great video, Willie looks like my brother just a little heavier, My grandmother was Comanche she was born in 1910, and growing up she talked about her dad and grandfather, They were great stories, and learned a lot from her growing up she even taught my brothers and me how to cook. My uncle taught us how to shoot the bow as well. Thanks for this video brought back some great memories of my youth.

[@MrBCA701]

This is the most informative video on Native Bows and Arrows ive ever seen. It makes a huge difference when u have an expert like Willie teaching it.

[@jefferylivingston9003]

This Elder is a NATIONAL TREASURE" The History Channel needs to do an episode with him" awesome info share & preservation of History "

[@fload46d]

That's great. The Commanche were called the finest light cavalry in the world. Here in Indiana the hickory tree is plentiful for the bow. Thank you.

[@ralfgrosser4443]

This is the most useful, and best presentation I have seen on Comanche archery.

[@natetaylor9002]

So many crafts that hover near the edge of extinction these days...glad to see you uploaded this video to KZbin!

[@cmoore7780]

Not a bowyer but I do hunt primitive and have for 25years and I still consider myself a “noob”. I still lean things about the art and craft every day. That being said I enjoyed your video very much. Thanks for taking the time making it.

[@garryneal259]

The knowledge you have and share is invaluable. True that what you share is being lost, what would we do if we lost the old ways and were forced into the old ways of living, I'm sure most who don't appreciate the true value of native indiginous knowledge will be left wanting of this elders gift.thank you from another elder.

[@Mck100El]

I didn't want this film clip to end as it was so interesting. Thanks for the insight.

[@MikeBrodie-fz6gm]

i love the indigenous knowledge ..so grateful that native peoples are so generous in sharing those ancient ways.

[@T4nkcommander]

Thanks for this interview! Really enjoyed it as I start to learn more about my heritage. I'm glad to see Comanche archery making a comeback. I live near Comanche Peak, and work at the Nuclear Plant that bears its name, so all of it is rather special to me.

[@cowboy1165]

And now here on the internet and KZbin, you have preserved your tradition forever.

[@wyldbill100]

Thank You for documenting this amazing art form of Americana. As a historian, I greatly appreciate the detail and articulation that you have provided.

[@menotyou9406]

Thank you for sharing your skills, your history and your heritage!

[@artwasson3752]

That's badass my warrior brother love the history

[@arctichoundtv2823]

Awesome work its amazing to see the way the Comanche held their bow and arrows, Lars Anderson tried to recreate the method comanche used to shoot and ride and did so as true to life as could and in doing so proved just how quick and effective the Comanche could shoot there bows. A trained Comanche could fire an arrow at 100 meters and by the time it landed have 3 or more arrows already in the air on there way. As kids Comanche could shoot bugs and coin out of the air trained from birth with instinctive shooting a interesting thing to note is that alot of Comanche had a harder time shooting stationary targets that we're use to in archery today. Absolutely Mint

[@danielrousseau4842]

Fascinating. I'm glad you are keeping alive one of the skills that made the Comanche nation the "horse soldiers" they were.

[@tonykaczmarek278]

Great video. You touched on a few things that I figured out when I made and shot my very first bows. Draw and posture. As a kid it made perfect sense that style of shooting. Almost 50 years later I still shoot the same way.

[@ToddWittenmyerBackwoodsLiving]

This was really interesting! I'm a beginning bowyer so I love stuff like this!

[@slingshotwarrrior8105]

Fine craftsmanship, I've been looking at videos of different kinds of traditional archery from cultures all over the world, and it's amazing how to bow making can be similar but different at the same time.

[@AllinAllisAllweAllare]

With the right amount of promotion many Indian youths would or should want to learn from this man he is a natural teacher

[@jameswyatt2739]

So nice to see a culture kept alive. The history is important to know where you came from. When you don’t know that you know nothing!

[@NotThatBob]

I dearly wish we taught kids in school the traditional way of making and using hand tools and weapons. Thanks so much for this video.

[@k1j2f30]

Beautiful, I've been a flintknapper, bow builder and arrow maker for 40 years, I did learned from your video! Thank you, I could learn much more from you!

[@johncarmichael4698]

I live near Comanche Peak, Granbury Texas,,,,, I find the Comanche culture enriching and fascinating. Actually across the street from the Brazos river. So the history of the Comanche runs deep in my area. Any other sources would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much sharing your video. ❤❤

[@stephenural8498]

What a great video. Thank you so much for keeping your culture alive!

[@TexExpatriate1]

I rewatch this time and again not just for the information but it is just like visiting home, when I find that background country you see here when Willie Pekah is talking. There are some other videos that show the high "plain" plains I visit for the same reason. Love that country! It has my allegiance over all other.

[@williamvan909]

😊😊 thank you 🙏 my brother and your information on how to make them and the history of your elders teaching God bless you 🙏 and your family 🙏 stay safe and stay healthy ❤️ watching from Alaska wwoohoow take care .

[@joshuawayne9811]

Thanks for the enjoyable video, i appreciate the knowledge. One trick I've found for making bark removal a breeze is to gently use a potato peeler to strip the shaft.

[@larrytroyer1957]

What a very gifted and humble man. This is the kind of knowledge , I have been searching for for quite awhile. Thank you kind sir for sharing your craft.

[@davidaitken864]

Archery in all its forms Rock. Keep the tradition alive. Cannot wait for your next vid.

[@jhpfmj]

Thank you for sharing, Sir

[@YuriMakarov-h3p]

Always loved the concept of color coading between tribes. Through that was awesome. Greetings, blessings from Apache native.

[@usnchief1339]

More please! 😀 Thank you so much for this video.

[@Cam-sm1iz]

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing our Native American history. I learned a lot. This should be shown in schools today..

[@dundeeecroc]

Thank you for sharing the tradition of your ancestors and Elders.

[@clarkkent3335]

When the next class is, I will be there! Thanks for sharing!

[@tayninh69]

I didn't realize so much work went into making these things. A very good video.

[@matt79de]

Thanks to Willie Pekah for reviving the tradition, collecting all the information required for that and for sharing his knowlegde and thanks to you for passing it on...

[@stephenengle4097]

Please keep up with your tradition, don’t want to lose this past knowledge! Awesome.😎🏕🦅🦌

[@cr-us9ch]

thank you for making this video. Ive messed around with this stuff since I was a kid, always wondering what wood to use.

[@ronduff4325]

I could listen to you speak all day .

[@staceyrybka602]

I really like the old lore he shares like how the Comanche hold their arrows point up, I find that kind of information extremely interesting. Thank you Sir.

[@charlietuna9537]

Great video on how you make the traditional arrows. I am glad you are sharing your knowledge with those who care to view. Was wondering if you also have a video on how you make your traditional bow? I have seen some others but none that bear the fine finish as yours. Thank you for making this available!

[@simonkormendy849]

I love watching these youtube videos of actual real native American people demonstrating their skills and etc, really fascinating to learn how these people lived, and their culture, these people need to be treated much better than they currently are.

[@MichaelMarsh-dc4ww]

I love learning about the differences between the tribes.

[@bigb.5826]

Greetings from me , Yvo,i live in Kaiserslautern (American called the Town Ktown) Germany...Respect&Honor Sir!!!!

[@thisplaceisazoo]

So glad I stumbled upon this video. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated with bows and arrows. I have a few that I have found along with way, but it is really hard to find authentic hand made arrows anymore.

[@nickrider5220]

Thank heavens the old ways are still remembered - great insight.

[@graphguy]

This is wonderful to keep the tradition alive.

[@coleabunga]

Im 20 and from canada this is so informative and cool. Ive been practicing with flintknapping and creating things from my ancestors thank you for so much information

[@aperson2020]

May your people 🙏 be blessed with long lives and prosperity.

[@hardasnails11b]

Thank you Sir for sharing this with us. Highly informative, and useful to a craftsman! Also loved telling us and showing us how they’re used traditionally!

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

As someone that is of mixed race but raised in the traditional arts, I love seeing videos like this...and those still left like myself that try to keep the traditions alive...The only aspect of the video's details that got shared that was not an accurate description was the reason wood was collected often in Winter...sap does not go into the roots in the winter at all...that is a modern myth and the Elder's knew this as I was taught as a boy...In fact, with many species of trees, we see an actual increase in moisture content of the wood above ground in the wintertime. The difference between summer and winter is whether the sap is flowing (aka moving) or not moving...

[@Nubenhoofer]

Very interesting! It's so cool that this conversation exists.

[@andreasgoebel1269]

I can't quote an authoriative source on this but my reason for getting wood for arrows and also for bows in the winter is that the plant isn't growing. The outermost yearring is fully developed and stronger.

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

@@andreasgoebel1269 This is very true, however, in winter or summer those outer layers of xylem and cambium are typically removed anyway...What is often missed (or misunderstood) by most modern Bowyers is this craft spans a global culture...and within biome types where "growing" or a "winter season" really is not nearly the same...dormant perhaps, but still active...Thus...winter to summer harvesting is not really an issue...or a...can and can't happenstance, as either season will work, and storage (best underwater) if done at should be a method that keeps the wood supple...Most (virtually all) traditional bows were worked "green" and then fire hardened...

[@DaveWhitacre1]

@@JayCWhiteCloud I'd be interested to learn more about the fire hardening process you mentioned.

[@timwoolmore7996]

What an amazing man,i could listen to him for ages,an amazing culture 🙂more please excellent video👍

[@10Turtles]

Osage is some of the most unruly wood to work with and I respect the people who made them. The trick to making arrows by plucking them in the winter is something I didn't know! Hard dejavus, here! Cool stuff, Tulsa!

[@benpriestman4015]

Thank you sir for your time and your knowledge

[@LouiisiiBama]

For my arrows. I use "fatlighter" which is from old pine trees. I like using the ones from old fence post. You shave them down until orange, heat treat with a fire and as soon as it starts oozing out the pine liquid you take another piece of the same wood and basically sand it down with that piece, it comes out beautiful and is very strong, I've been having trouble trying to get them to fly straight though

[@glorybound7599]

Thanks for sharing your heritage with others.

[@richfuller]

The best video I have seen in a long time, old information like this is so extremely rare.

[@Wundrdawg1]

Thank you for sharing your craft Willie. Great knowledge.

[@dalesuggs3658]

THANK YOU FOR THE HISTORY OF SUCH AN AMAZING CULTURE

[@forkshootertb96]

That's some great historic information! Thank you very much for sharing it!

[@atxjaphotos4217]

Recently did a DNA test and found out I'm 60% Native American. This guy looks like my Dad and Grandpa.

[@PigeonDumplins]

Where are you from? Just curious because that's a significant amount 😂 if you're Hispanic that makes sense. Anyways keep learning the ways brother 🙏🏽🤙🏽

[@TL_27]

He's probably your cousin ahhh😂

[@erictchomitch2288]

Félicitations, il vous reste plus qu’à en être digne.

[@emuna1976]

gracias for keeping up the tradition and taking the time to explain it, greetings from mexico

[@Blondie42]

Thank you for sharing 😊 🏹 I love that quiver and those arrows; form and function at their best

[@cheddarpepperprepper57]

Thank you for sharing your Wisdom. God Bless you, and First Nation!

[@phildavis4878]

Thank you for that traditional way you're a very good with your knowledge

[@thomaszaccone3960]

THIS IS AWESOME. Thank you. Wish there were more videos on ancient crafts and skills like this. For instance, bow making and tracking and wilderness survival

[@martinlawn]

I wish I could come out and see you make your bows, arrows, etc. Looks interesting. I'm in MN so quite a hoof for me. Keep up your traditions Sir.

[@etee08]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! I love to listen and learn from other people...

[@geraldwoommavovah1481]

Thank you for providing this knowledge. I’ve been wanting to learn the history of the Comanche. It’s just hard for me to attend classes. Keep up the great work

[@howler6490]

Well played Sir, that was a fascinating short film...very educational...great to see the old ways being celebrated... Well Done...