Satanta (chief)

Satanta (* 1815, † 1878) was a chief of the Kiowa, who became known as a speaker of the Plains.

As the son of Red Tepee, a famous Kiowa shaman, Satanta belonged to the caste of the early leaders in his tribe. Since he was also an eloquent and skilful strategist, what he proved both in negotiations and in warlike actions often, he quickly gained chief honors and was a very popular leader among the Kiowa. Between 1850 and 1874 he was the leader of many so-called Kiowa raids ( German: raids ) in which stolen horses, kidnapped settlers or soldiers were ambushed. After 1866, the former Lord Chief Dohasan had died, he became the spokesman for the pro-war within the Kiowa tribe. Despite his warlike deeds he is described by witnesses as an open and always smiling negotiator. Satanta suggested that his tribe also contrary to his own attitude to pull into the designated Reservation, to the peace negotiations of Medicine Lodge in 1867. However, two years later he called the trunk on to leave the reservation and again to fight against the U.S. Army. In November 1874 he was found after the defeat in Palo Duro Canyon and was rearrested for violating the terms of probation after his first imprisonment ( 1871-1873 ). In 1878 he chose by jumping into the prison suicide.