The great herds of buffaloes that roamed the plains were essential for all parts of Sioux life and society. For most Sioux villages, “home” was wherever the herds of buffaloes roamed.
Before the introduction of the horse, Sioux warriors would hunt the buffaloes by dressing up as wolves as tricking them into running off cliffs and ledges. They would also dress up in buffalo skins and make crying sounds like a baby buffalo. When an adult buffalo went to investigate, the warriors would kill it with spears and arrows.
The Sioux Indians used the entire buffalo following a kill. The buffalo hide was used for making tepees, clothes, moccasins, and robes. The hair was used to make rope and the horns were used as cups and dishes. Children fashioned sleds out of buffalo’s ribs, and buffalo fat was used as glue. Most importantly, buffalo’s meat provided food for the entire village. Much of the buffalo’s meat that was collected was cooked, dried, and pounded into pemmican (sort of like modern-day beef jerky).
Answer the following questions
1 Buffalo’s meat was not…..
a dried b fried
c cooked d pounded
2 Which of the following statements is true?
a The Sioux Indians were fairly dependent on the buffalo.
b The Sioux Indians were totally dependent on the buffalo.
c The Sioux Indians were not dependent on the buffalo.
d The Sioux Indians were somewhat dependent on the buffalo
3 What likely changed after the Sioux had become familiar with the horse?
a Buffalo as the main source of food for the Sioux
b Hunting techniques
c Now buffalo’s meat was cooked and prepared
d The way in which the buffalo was used for clothing
4 Buffalo hides were not used for ….
a tepees
b robes
c clothes
d blankets
5 In which of the following places would you find a herd of buffaloes?
a open field
b beach
c forest
d well
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