Comanches

As Comanches were seen and highly regarded as outstanding horsemen, they were also observed by other people to have a copper-color about their skin with black eyes and hair. Comanches were well-built and seemingly of medium height. The men possessed just a little bit of facial hair but had a very prominent nose. They wore buckskin moccasins, leggings, and a breech clout. In colder times, a blanket or a bison robe would be worn over the man's shoulders.

With regard to adornments worn by young men, the Comanche elder Frank Chekovi related that pierced ears were sought after when an individual wanted to dress up.

The young man went to the tipi of an experienced person who knew how to pierce. One very red-hot needle was used. A greased straw was placed in the hole once it had been pierced. If more than one hole was desired on an ear, they were all done at the same time in order to properly heal. For instance, some young men liked shell beads and others rings that were worn along the edge of an ear. Copper wire bands could be worn about the wrist and the ear decorations on men were commonplace.

A remarkable picture of the graceful Minnie Too-sh-pip-pen and the very handsome Slim Tiebo, circa 1900. The Comanche Slim Tiebo would have been around twenty years of age. He was born in 1880 and passed away in 1952. The prominent Comanche Tiebo farmed his land and lived his entire life in the area of Cache, Oklahoma. He is buried at the Post Oak Cemetery, Indiahoma, Oklahoma. Photograph courtesy of the Denver Public Library, Denver, Colorado