The Warrior in the Native American Tribe - Essay Example

Since warriors were so important to all Native American tribes, throughout their literature, we see the concept of the warrior as a hero, or as a powerful individual, bustling throughout this literature. Take, for example, the story of "Lucy, Oklahoma" in which "medicine men" become warriors, by way of witchcraft, on behalf of one of their abused kin. Medicine men are revered in Native American cultures, too, aren't they, Of course, they are, however, they are not usually seen as the heroes of battles-this is reserved for the warriors.

If these medicine men are going to do their tribe justice and take revenge, they must fight. So, even though they are revered members of the tribe, we see that the status of the warrior in the tribe is even more revered-and thus, again, these men, in order to be heroes and to defend their tribe's ideals, must become warriors.The status of the warrior in the Native American tribe is therefore revered and even holy. The ability of the warrior to defend his tribe and assure the tribe's survival, as well as the tribe's own respect and prestige (as is the case in "Lucy, Oklahoma") becomes very important to the tribe's own pride and honor.

The only individuals that can both defend the tribe's people and the tribe's own pride and status are warriors, and that is why these men are viewed with such great status by all Native American tribes. Because of this status and reverence, Native American literature gives us examples of the warrior's importance. Therefore, by taking a close look at Native American literature, one can gain a solid understanding of why the warrior is so important to the Native American Tribes.