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Sign Talk of the Cheyenne Indians and other Cultures by Ernest Thompson Seton

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Kiowa

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  Hadley : "This is their true sign and refers to a former practice of clipping the hair above the right ear to show off ear ornaments . The motion has been mistaken for a circle, but it was not originally." (p.103) Seton : "..because they used to cut their hair on that side to show the ear ornaments or ear painted red ." (p.108) James Mooney seems to be the greatest expert on the etymology of this sign: "To make the sign for " Kiowa " in the sign language of the plains tribes , the right hand is held close to the right cheek, with back down, fingers touching and slightly curved, and the hand moved in a rotary motion from the wrist. According to the Kiowa this sign had its origin in an old custom of their warriors, who formerly cut the hair from the right side of the head, on a line with the base of the ear, in order better to display the ear pendants , while allowing it to grow to full length on the left side, so as to be braided and wrapped with...
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Brave, Strong, Courage

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“Strong has three signs: Brave, Muscular, Way Ahead.” Scott Very hungry or strong hunger. Strong Heart I have included several variations of this sign. All are similar but slightly different.  Sign:  heart strong . Many use this sign for both brave and strong.-Clark I have included important to this sign although I can find no references for doing so. I believe there is no other gesture used by Indians who are thoroughly conversant with the sign language that is as flexible and possesses as much strength and character as this, for when added to other signs it intensifies their descriptive powers wonderfully, adds to many the superlative, gives heroic character to bravery, arrant cowardice to timidity, makes an ordinary meal a feast, and of a fast starvation; pleasure becomes bliss, and care most bitter sorrow. Pointing to a man and making this sign would convey to an Indian's mind the idea that he was brave, fearless, and this to them is the highest, most perfect virtue, and...
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