Kiowa Black Leggings ceremonials return this weekend

ANADARKO — This weekend marks the return of ceremonials honoring Kiowa warriors.

The Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society, or Ton Kon Gau in Kiowa, ceremonies will take place Saturday and Sunday at the grounds of Indian City U.S.A., just south of Anadarko on Oklahoma 8.

Daily noon meals will be followed by the ceremonial’s beginnings at 2 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy the noon meal with the families of Kiowa warriors and observe the ceremonial in the outdoor arena, according to Blas Precidio, organization spokesman.

On Saturday, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class John Curtis Campbell, Navy and Navy Reserve, will be initiated into the revered society. Campbell was born at Lawton Indian Hospital and grew up around the “Caddo Road” and Redstone area. He is the son of the late Mary Frances Kodaseet Carter, a member of the Kiowa War Mothers and the 1962 Kiowa Princess, and William Campbell, a member of the Wichita Tribe. His Kiowa grandparents are the late Frank and Lilly Nina Botone.

After graduating from Anadarko High School, Campbell enlisted in the Navy in 1988 and was on active duty for 10 years. After he was honorably discharged, he served three more years in the Navy Reserve. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal in 1990.

Following his induction to the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society, he will receive the Kiowa name “Taime-day” in honor of his maternal grandfather, Frank Kodaseet.

Among Sunday’s highlights will be the “Encountering the Enemy Dance” towards the end of the afternoon. Presidio said it is the last and perhaps most symbolic and historical of the Society’s dances. The Turn Around or Reverse Dance, known in Kiowa as “Xakoigacunga” portrays the story of counterattack and is also known as the “Encountering the Enemy Dance.”

During the dance, Commander Lyndreth “Tugger” Palmer (Paujoqi, Navy) will separate from the group and go to the center of the arena. He will place a long hide sash over his head and shoulder. After he stakes it down to the arena floor with his own lance, he will begin dancing with the Society pawbon, a lance or spear curved over at the top that is adorned with otter skin, eagle feathers and beads.

As the Commander dances, he’ll keep pace with the increasingly feverish tempo, creating an irresistible, spirited energy that overtakes the crowd and other Society members, Presidio said. The spectacular ritual continues until another member takes the lance and places it on the drum to stop the song. The silence is broken when the member shares a personal story about a harrowing encounter with the enemy.

That evening, the O-Ho-Mah Lodge will conduct a program of war and social dancing. The public is invited to enjoy the society’s historic songs and dances and observe the time-honored traditions of the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society. No photography or video recording is allowed, however.

The current officers of the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society are: Lyndreth “Tugger” Palmer, Commander, Navy, Paujoqi; Blas Preciado, Vice Commander, Marine Corps, Paujoqi; Darwin Palmer, Army, Treasurer, Ahdlejoqi; Goldie Kaulaity, First Vice Commander, Army; Patrick Tsotigh, Second Vice Commander and Chaplain, Army and Oklahoma National Guard; Randall Jake, Public Information Officer, Marine Corps and Army; Robert G. Short, Sergeant at Arms/Assistant Chaplain, Marine Corps.

The current officers of the Kiowa Black Leggings Ladies Auxiliary are: Val Tate, President; Mary Pinezaddlebe Zumwalt, Vice President; Glenda Palmer, Treasurer; and Gloria Tate, Secretary.