Arikaras - 8th Grade North Dakota Studies

Front

What is the origin of the name 'Arikara'?

Back

Arikara is a word that European Americans applied to a group of people who call themselves Sahnish.

Front

What was the structure of an Arikara earthlodge?

Back

An Arikara earthlodge was circular, supported by four upright beams in the center, with an entrance left of center. It had a smoke escape and light entry at the top, beds along the outer walls, and a sitting and cooking area near the fire pit in the center.

Front

What crops did Sahnish women grow?

Back

Sahnish women gardened corn, squash, and beans, often called the 'three sisters' of gardening.

Front

How did the Arikaras preserve meat?

Back

Arikara women sliced bison meat into thin strips and dried them on scaffolds in the sun, sometimes using a small fire to speed up the process.

Front

What was a typical meal in an Arikara home?

Back

A typical meal included roast bison meat with a stew made of corn, beans, and bone marrow.

Front

How were marriages arranged among the Arikaras?

Back

Marriages were usually arranged by families, but a woman could not be married against her wishes. The man’s family presented gifts to the woman’s family, and if accepted, the marriage could proceed.

Front

What was the social organization of the Arikara village?

Back

The social organization was based on the kinship system, where children called their biological mother and her sisters 'Mother,' and a man referred to his father’s sisters as 'Mother.'

Front

What role did the Piraskani society play in Arikara leadership?

Back

Members of the Piraskani society were men and women of good moral character who held a secondary position of leadership.

Front

Who were the spiritual leaders of the Arikaras?

Back

The Arikaras looked to Mother Corn and Chief Above for spiritual guidance. They believed all things on earth had a spirit.

Front

What impact did smallpox have on the Arikaras?

Back

Smallpox epidemics in 1837 and 1856 killed nearly half of the tribe and weakened them, leading to pressure from the Lakotas and eventual relocation.