”Comanche women defended their lifestyle to its end just as eagerly and ferociously as the men.” ~ T.R. Fehrenbach

The women of the Comanche held distinctly different tribal roles than the male warriors. But I would argue that as terrifying as the men were as raiders, the women played an even more brutal role in camp. Historical accounts often treat women as an afterthought. The conflicts that are written about are between male warriors. Women are resigned to the shadows of history. They were rarely written about but when they were, the consistencies in the accounts paint a clear image. Comanche women could be unbelievably brutal. To the warriors they offered immense support. Among themselves they competed in a complex hierarchy. Captives left in their care, especially girls, were often horribly abused. When prisoners were brought to camp the women took their time with torture. Many people have long and disturbing histories for how they would treat their enemies but there are few others I would want to be brought to less than the Comanche women.

RESOURCES

‘Big Wonderful Thing’ Excerpt: “Savage Ware Fare” by Stephen Harrigan
https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-te...

Burning Through Texas by Mike Coppock
https://truewestmagazine.com/article/...

The Comanches: A History of a People by T.R. Ferenbach

Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gywnne

Indian Depredations in Texas by J.W. Wilbarger

Memoirs of Mary A. Maverick: A Journal of Early Texas arranged by Mary A. Maverick and her son Madison Maverick