5127. The first written record of the Comanches doing the Gourd Dance was written by Herman Ten Kate in October 1883. (Other: Buffalo Dance, Round Dance; Big Horse, Little Pony {Grourd Dance}, Fox Dance, Turkey Dance, Black Knife-Tuwhee Dance, Crow or Raven Dance, and the Love Dance.) The Little Ponies tied Yellow Hammer Woodpecker feathers to the top of their Gourds back then. I have not been able to find a WRITTEN record of anyone doing the Gourd Dance before that time. Kiowas have their own explanation on the origin of their Gourd Dance, which has nothing to do with Comanches. In the late 1940's one or two Gourd Dance songs would be sung before the regular powwow began, and only the old men knew them and would stand up and dance in place. Later the Kiowas fully revived their Gourd Dance and songs, as they remember the Gourd Dance in their customs. The white missionaries had almost fully wiped out many Comanche customs and forbid their flock from even attending a powwow. Kiowa verbal history says they brought the Gourd Dance down south when they lost possession of the Black Hills to the Sioux. This happened somewhere around ca. 1780-1805. In this video L. Cozad Jr. sings gourd dance songs at the Comanche Community Ctr, Apache OK. All Gourd Dance benefit powwow for Vets moving wall. Click any blue simian1842 or simian1842a button to see all BEST videos. Co-hosts Comanche Indian Veterans Association and the Comanche Lttile Pony warrior society.