James Mooney
Calendar history of the Kiowa Indians. (1898 N 17 / 1895-1896 (pages 129-444))
"Calendar History of the Kiowa Indians" by James Mooney is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work delves into the rich cultural heritage of the Kiowa tribe, examining their unique systems of recorded history through calendars and pictographs that capture significant events spanning decades. It also explores their sociopolitical structures, religious practices, and interactions with neighboring tribes and European settlers. The opening of the memoir introduces the concept of historical documentation among Indigenous peoples, particularly focusing on the Kiowa's system of calendars that chronicle their societal events, seasonal changes, and disasters like smallpox outbreaks. Mooney emphasizes the significance of these records in preserving the tribe's memory against the encroaching influences of modernity. He outlines the diverse sources of these records and the various methods employed by the Kiowa to maintain their history, providing a contextual framework that underscores the importance of oral tradition and pictographic representation in Indigenous cultures.