Kiowa Black Leggings Society Songs

Canyon Records
Men: Bill Kaulaity - Lead Singer, Daniel Cozad, James Cozad
Women: Georgia Dupoint, Roberta Toehay, Flora Weryackwe

Bill Kaulaity is a widely-known Kiowa singer from Carnegie. Today his home is just one mile north of his birthplace in rural Caddo County. He attended Riverside Indian School in Anadarko and graduated from Chilacco Indian School. In 1943 he volunteered for military service, was sent overseas, and returned a disabled veteran.

Bill's father was not a singer but he developed an interest in singing around the drum and took a place there whenever the opportunity arose. A singer for twenty years, he is able to sing many of the old and seldom used songs as well as those composed more recently. During the summer pow wow season he is in great demand as a head singer and travels widely throughout the state of Oklahoma. He has also sung for dances in Nebraska and Texas. For almost ten years he has been the head dancer at the Kiowa July 4 dance in Carnegie.


CANYON RECORDS is pleased to present Bill Kaulaity and a supporting cast selected by him for their ability to sing traditional Kiowa music.

THE KIOWA PEOPLE

The Kiowa have always been regarded as one of the great tribes of the plains. In the past they were known for bravery and courage in battle. Principally a rural people today, they are considered to be one of the progressive, forward-looking Indian groups in southwestern Oklahomo.

The name Kiowo is from their own name, Gaigwu or Kaigwu, meaning "principal people." It was also the name of one of the six divisions that made up the tribal camp circle when they came eastward to the plains from their original home in the Rocky Mountains.

Early in their history, they formed two important alliances. One was with a small band of Apache, now known as the Kiowa-Apache. This alliance continues to this day in Oklahoma. About 1790 they made a permanent peace with the Comanche after a long period of warfare. This alliance was the basis for the Kiowa-Comanche Reservation in Oklahoma where they were settled by the United States.

The largest settlement of Kiowa in Oklahoma today is near Carnegie in Caddo County. Over 3,300 reside on or adjacent to the original reservation. All tribal land is owned jointly with the Comanche and Apache tribes of Oklahoma and includes 4,373 tribally owned acres and 229,926 acres of allotted land. Tribal headquarters are in Anadrako.

Play song

Name

Performed by

Description

Native Words

Translation

Notes

Kiowa Flag Song This is the first song sung after the invocation at a pow wow and could be compared to the National Anthem. Everyone rises and faces the flag. There is no dancing as this beautiful Kiowa song is sung. The song contains Kiowa words saying, in part, "We should all have respect for the flag because of the hardship of the men in World Wars I, II and in Korea. We're proud that it still waves today." Kiowa
War Mother's Song 1 "These songs are for all war mothers regardless of their tribe. Each song has a meaning concerning a veteran's bravery. Among the Kiowas there is a War Mothers' Chapter that sponsors a dance in Carnegie on Mother's Day. These songs are sung at that time but may also be sung on other occasions. All of these songs have Kiowa words and anyone may dance. One song tells of the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima during World War II."

(Note: during the recording of these songs a sudden thunderstorm provided unsolicited background sound.)
Kiowa
War Mother's Song 2 Kiowa
War Mother's Song 3 Kiowa
War Mother's Song 4 Kiowa
War Mother's Song 5 Kiowa
War Mother's Song 6 Kiowa
War Mother's Song 7 Kiowa
War Mother's Song 8 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 1 "The origin of this ancient order of Kiowa warriors is lost in antiquity. A principal warrior society of the Kiowa people, it was in existence since earliest recorded Kiowa history. The main qualification for membership is proven bravery. These are the men, who in the face of any danger, however great, are committed never to turn back. The Society was disbanded by army order after the subjugation of the Kiowa People in the later 1800's. Reorganized in recent years, its membership now consists of warriors who proved their bravery, as American service main, in World War 11, Korea, etc. The list of military decorations won by these men is long and impressive. You can honor these men, and all American veterans, in a unique and colorful way by attending this Veterans Day Ceremonial at Anadarko. . . ."

Oklahoma Today
Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 2 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 3 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 4 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 5 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 6 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 7 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 8 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 9 Kiowa
Black Leggings Society Song 10 Kiowa