A Sioux Love Story, part 3

Eight years passed and Curly’s band decided to return to a former governing system that had fell into disuse. This new, and old, system called for seven older men to serve as leaders. To carry out their directions four strong young men were chosen who would be called Shirt-Wearers. These four would have the honor of wearing a special shirt as a symbol of their badge of office. And Curly, now about twenty-three years old and called by a different name, was chosen to be a Shirt-Wearer.

After a great feast one man known for his knowledge and wisdom directed the Shirt-Wearers in the way they must act, behave, and conduct themselves. From now on they must always help others and never think of their own needs and wants. They must look out for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and any one of little power. They must think no ill of others and ignore any harm or slight done to themselves. And foremost, they must never do anything that would cause strife within the band.

So now, the warrior who formerly was known as Curly became what he had always wanted to be—a leader of his people. Curly now had everything he ever wanted—except one very important thing.

About two years before Curly became a Shirt-Wearer he began to realize that he was in love. He had known this young lovely of the Bad Face Oglala most of his life. Curly had watched as she grew from a gangly youngster into a slim and softly formed young woman. Often, he had stood beside the path, hoping to catch a glimpse of her as she came along, swing her long braids and laughing.

Curly’s parents and friends were urging him to take a bride and so this object of his heart became more endearing to him. And she was, in deed, the young girl he had so admired some time ago at the Sun Dance at Bear Butte. She was Black Buffalo Woman.

Curly began in earnest to woo this maiden, and with the Sioux rules of courtship this was no easy thing to do. Young marriageable daughters were highly prized by their fathers, as they would bring to the father many valued horses as a bride price. As teenagers, the male and female Sioux seldom had contact with each other, and the girls were closely watched and chaperoned.

Go To Page: 1 2