Tasunka Witko ~ Crazy Horse

He goes by the name of "Caballo Loco" in Spain, googeling will produce quite a few interesting links, some quite ore diversificaated thn the English language counterparts when googeling "Crazy Horse".

Just one question (and forgive my "wasichus" dumbness and ignorance in the respect), but wasn´t he strictly Sioux? Or is this the same/similar to being Lakhota/Nakhota/Dakhota? Or has it to do with the "Great Indian Nation" concept that included Kiowas as well? Wounded Knee? Oglalas? Sorry, I must have missed that part in my history classes (or it was not taught at my time)... I know "Sioux" is a French derivate, but have never really bothered to relate it to the realities on the ground.

Just to pay respect to the photographers of those years (you had to sit still, head fixed by screws for 12 minutes for pix like those in those years), here some:

Oso Blanco (White Bear), Kiowa, suicided in 1878:


Probably Caballo Loco (Crazy Horse), the source is not clear as for it being one of the few pix that exist of him, what is sure that it depicts a Sioux chief of the time period in question:


Taken in 1898 in Omaha, nobody knows apparently the person depicted, but there was an inscription on the back saying (translated): "The day of the sun has been my strength. The path of the moon will be my robe".

Another question, again out of pure ignorance: Is it true - as I have heard commented - that "hoka-hey" translates to "today is a good day to die"? How did this become the favorite attack cal for John Long Silvers pirates (AFAIK they never had direct American Indian influence, but the attaack caall has been documented more than once)?

Kind regards,

Rattler

Thanks for the insight provided, care to elborte on the structure of the Lakota languge bit referring to Hoka-hey (I also heard commented that the phonetically close "Okay" stems from it?). I find it intersting that three silables should prodce such a diversificated and elaborated meaning?

Rattler

Having been born just 71 miles south of where Custer was killed I have been interested in the American West all my life.

Here are some quick facts about Crazy Horse:

Crazy Horse's real name was Tashunca Uitco, and he was best known for his bravery and ferocity in battle, he was also recognized in his tribe as an emotional leader who did his best to preserve the Lakota way of life. Even as a young man he was known for his bravery in battle, he stole horses from the neighboring Crow tribe as a boy and he led his first war party at the age of 20. As a man, he played a key role in war against white settlers in Wyoming, this war was led by Red Cloud, the chief of the Oglala tribe. He also was a major part in the fight against the brigade at Fort Kerny. Like I said before, Crazy Horse did not only lead his followers in battle but he was a spiritual leader as well, he did not let anyone take his photo and fought whites that tried to destroy or relocate his tribe homes or beliefs.

When the US Government ordered all of the Sioux tribe to a reservation, Crazy Horse led the resistance against it. He made an army of over 1,200 warriors from his and another tribe and fought back at the US troops who tried to force them to reservations. He also fought with Sitting bull and Gall, important members of the Sioux tribe, at the Battle of Little Bighorn. When Sitting Bull and Gall retreated to Canada from the US army, Crazy Horse stayed and kept on fighting. His army was defeated but he wasn't, he left his reservation without authorization and he was ordered to be arrested. He fought and struggled through his arrest and in the process his was killed with a bayonet.

While it's true he didn't like his picture taken, there may have been at least 1 photograph taken of him.

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-crazyhorse.html

When I get time to go through my books I have a lot of information not only on Crazy Horse but other American Indian Leaders as well.

Good Hunting.

MR