Crows Use Hand Games as Teaching Tool

By Adam Sings In The Timber
Originally published on Reznet

CROW AGENCY, Mont.—Teams from nine districts on the Crow Reservation took part in a junior hand-game tournament that stressed the importance of each player's clan.

In addition to the Pipe, Sacred Tobacco and the Sweat Lodge, the clan system is central to the Crow way of life.

"We want them (the players) to know what clan they come from ... so that they can respect their clans," said Stanley Pretty Paint, a tournament organizer, who described the hand games as "a real good tool to teach" young Crows about tradition and culture.

The tournament, which ended Sunday, took place over five days last week. All the players were under 30 years old. The teams, composed of 15 to 50 players each, were organized by district but had members of each of the tribe’s eight clans.

Before the start of each match, the announcer asked members of each clan to stand up so the opposing team knew who their clan relatives were so they could pay proper respect to them.

The teams competed for prizes that included jackets, saddles, hand drums, and money. The team from the Wyola district won first place in the tournament that has been ongoing since the 1960s.

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Before the start of each match, the announcer asked members of each clan to stand up so the opposing team knew who their clan relatives were so they could pay proper respect to them.