Crow Indians
The Crow Indians were far-ranging people, especially once they acquired horses. By the time the Americans met them they were living on the Great Plains in what is now Montana and Wyoming. Most Crow people still live in Montana today.
The Crows live on a reservation, which is land that belongs to them and is under their control. The Crow Nation has its own government, laws, police, and services, just like a small country. However, the Crows are also US citizens and must obey American law. In the past, the Crow tribe was ruled by a council of chiefs, who were chosen by clan leaders based on the war honors they had earned. Today, Crow tribal officers are elected by all the people
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Nearly all Crow people speak English today, but many speak their native Crow language as well. If you'd like to know a few easy Crow words, "kaheй" (pronounced similar to "ka-hay") is a friendly greeting, and "ahу" means "thank you." You can read a Crow picture glossary here
Crow women were in charge of the home. Besides cooking and cleaning, a Crow woman built her family's house and took it apart again whenever the tribe moved. Crow men were hunters and warriors, responsible for feeding and defending their families. Sometimes a Crow woman, especially a widow, might ride into battle with the men or even become a chief, but this was rare. Both genders took part in storytelling, artwork and music, and traditional medicine.
Like other Plains Indian tribes, the Crows lived in the tall, cone-shaped buffalo-hide houses known as tipis (or teepees). Since the Crow tribe moved frequently to follow the buffalo herds, a tipi had to be carefully designed to set up and break down quickly, like a modern tent. An entire Crow village could be packed up and ready to move on within an hour.
Here you can read more about their houses
Today, Native Americans only put up a tepee for fun or to connect with their heritage, not for shelter. Most Crows live in modern houses and apartment buildings, just like you.
Crows people!
Crow warriors used powerful bows and arrows, war clubs, spears, and hide shields.
Crow men hunted deer, elk, and especially buffalo. Some Crow bands raised corn in their village gardens, but others grew only tobacco there. Sometimes Crow Indians traded for corn from more agricultural tribes such as the Mandans. Crow women also gathered herbs, fruits, and other plants to add to their diet.
The Crow also fought wars with other tribes. Plains Indian tribes treated war differently than European countries did. They didn't fight over territory but instead to prove their courage, and so Plains Indian war parties rarely fought to the death or destroyed each other's villages. Instead, their war customs included counting coup (touching an opponent in battle without harming him), stealing an enemy's weapon or horse, or forcing the other tribe's warriors to retreat. So the Crow sometimes were enemies of neighboring tribes like the Sioux,Shoshones, and Blackfeet, and other times they were allies. The Europeans who first met them were surprised by how often the Crow tribe fought with their neighbors, yet how easily they made peace with each other when they were done fighting.
Crow artists are famous for their quill embroidery, beadwork, and carving arts. Here is an article with a photo gallery of different Crow and other Plains Indian beadwork.
There are lots of traditional Crow legends and fairy tales. Storytelling is very important to the Crow Indian culture. Here is one story about the creation of the earth.
Religions are too complicated and culturally sensitive to describe appropriately in only a few simple sentences, and we strongly want to avoid misleading anybody. You can visit this site to learn more about Crows rituals
And you can rad more about Crow history in this books :
From the Heart of the Crow Country: The Crow Indians' Own Stories
is a good collection of tribal history told by a Crow elder.
Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond
is the autobiography of a Crow Indian chief.
Grandmother's Grandchild: My Crow Indian Life (American Indian Lives)
is the family story of a famous Crow medicine woman and her granddaughter.
