WARRIOR’S CHALLENGE

A warrior’s preparations for battle entailed more than getting his horse and weapons ready to fight the enemy. Whether a war party against the White man or another  tribe, a warrior had his own way to prepare. Some in the war party would smoke the sacred pipe, paint symbols that had mystical powers on their bodies and horses, dress in their finest regalia with coup feather, and a “medicine” shield, and pray for the Great Spirit to give them strength and victory. The leader of the war party would confront their enemy by riding back and forth shouting, taunting and challenging them. This challenge was important for the other braves to see and give courage and a vision of the coming victory.