Plains Warfare Honor System and Counting Achievements

Beyond the Scalp: Honor, Achievement, and the Complex Code of Plains Warfare

In the vast, windswept expanse of the North American Great Plains, a sophisticated and deeply ingrained system of honor, prestige, and achievement governed the lives of numerous Indigenous nations. Far from the simplistic, often brutalized portrayals found in popular culture, warfare among tribes like the Lakota, Cheyenne, Comanche, Crow, and Arapaho was not merely about conquest or annihilation. Instead, it was a complex interplay of individual bravery, spiritual power, and communal contribution, meticulously measured and publicly recognized through an intricate "honor system" and the meticulous "counting of achievements."

At the heart of this system lay a profound understanding that a warrior’s value was not solely determined by taking lives, but by demonstrating unparalleled courage, skill, and a commitment to the welfare of their people. This ethos transformed the battlefield into a stage where individual acts of daring, often involving extreme personal risk, brought immense social standing and spiritual validation.

The Apex of Valor: Counting Coup

The single most revered act of bravery in Plains warfare was "counting coup." Derived from the French word coup, meaning "a blow" or "a strike," this achievement involved touching an enemy, alive and armed, with one’s hand, a coup stick, a bow, or a riding crop, and then escaping unharmed. It was an act of audacious defiance, prioritizing a display of fearlessness over the act of killing.

"To count coup was to demonstrate the ultimate mastery over fear and the enemy," explains historian John Ewers in The Blackfeet: Raiders on the Northwestern Plains. "It was a direct challenge, a personal insult to the foe, and a public declaration of one’s own invincibility in the face of danger." The danger was immense; to approach an armed enemy so closely, unarmed or with a symbolic weapon, and then retreat, required split-second timing, agility, and a profound self-belief.

The act of counting coup was hierarchical. The first warrior to touch the enemy received the highest honor, followed by the second, third, and sometimes fourth. These achievements were meticulously witnessed by fellow warriors and publicly declared upon the war party’s return. A warrior might carry a decorated coup stick, sometimes adorned with feathers or scalps, not as a weapon, but as a symbolic extension of his bravery, a testament to his willingness to confront danger head-on.

Beyond the Touch: A Pantheon of Achievements

While counting coup stood at the pinnacle, it was by no means the only path to honor. A comprehensive range of achievements contributed to a warrior’s prestige, each signifying a particular blend of skill, courage, and resourcefulness:

1. Capturing Horses: Horses were the lifeblood of Plains cultures—their wealth, their transportation, their hunting platform, and their primary military asset. The successful acquisition of enemy horses, especially from within a heavily guarded camp, was a highly celebrated feat. It demonstrated not only bravery and cunning but also contributed directly to the economic and military strength of the tribe. A warrior who returned with a string of captured horses was lauded as a provider and a formidable opponent.

2. Taking an Enemy Weapon: Disarming an enemy, particularly in close combat, or capturing a weapon from a fallen foe, was another significant achievement. It signified not just the defeat of an opponent but also the appropriation of their power. Weapons, especially firearms, were scarce and highly valued, making their capture a tangible asset and a potent symbol of victory.

   

3. Rescuing a Comrade: Loyalty and communal solidarity were paramount. To rescue a fellow warrior from imminent danger, whether by drawing enemy fire, providing cover, or physically carrying them from the battlefield, was an act of profound selflessness and courage. This deed underscored the warrior’s commitment to his tribal family, reinforcing the idea that individual glory was intertwined with the well-being of the collective.

4. Leading a Successful War Party: While many warriors might perform individual acts of bravery, leading a war party required strategic acumen, spiritual insight, and the ability to inspire trust and confidence in others. A successful leader, often guided by visions or dreams, would bring his party home safely and with valuable spoils or achievements. This demonstrated a deeper level of leadership and responsibility.

5. Taking a Scalp: Often sensationalized and misunderstood, scalping was indeed an achievement, but its significance varied among tribes and was often secondary to counting coup. For some, it was a tangible trophy, a proof of a kill, and sometimes believed to contain the spirit or power of the enemy. However, it was rarely the highest honor, as it did not necessarily involve the same level of personal risk as counting coup. Its primary role was often as a public declaration of a successful encounter, and the scalps themselves could be used in victory dances and ceremonies.

Public Validation and Communal Recognition

The Plains honor system was inherently public. A deed was not truly an achievement until it had been witnessed and formally acknowledged by the community. Upon returning from a raid or battle, warriors would recount their exploits in vivid detail, often using gestures, songs, and dances to dramatize their actions. Elder warriors and respected leaders would listen, verify accounts, and publicly confirm the achievements.

This public validation was critical. It cemented a warrior’s place within the social hierarchy, earned him the right to wear specific regalia (such as eagle feathers for coups, or painted designs on his tipi or shield), and often qualified him for membership in prestigious warrior societies like the Lakota’s Strong Heart or the Cheyenne’s Dog Soldiers. These societies were not just military units; they were social and political powerhouses, responsible for maintaining order, organizing hunts, and defending the tribe.

As anthropologist Robert Lowie noted in The Crow Indians, "The purpose of warfare was primarily to gain prestige for the individual and the band, not to conquer territory or annihilate an enemy." This focus on individual achievement within a communal framework fostered a meritocracy of bravery and skill. A young man, even if of humble birth, could rise to prominence through his battlefield exploits, eventually becoming a respected leader or chief.

The Deeper Meaning: Spirituality and Identity

Beyond social status, the honor system was deeply intertwined with spiritual beliefs and personal identity. Many warriors undertook vision quests before or after battles, seeking guidance and power from the spirit world. Success in warfare was often seen as a sign of spiritual favor, an indication that the warrior possessed strong "medicine." The courage displayed was not just physical; it was a manifestation of inner strength and a connection to the sacred.

The deeds of warriors were not ephemeral; they were woven into the fabric of tribal memory. Stories were passed down through generations, recounted in winter counts (pictographic calendars), etched into ledger art, and sung in victory songs. These narratives served not only to honor the individual but also to inspire future generations, reinforcing the values of bravery, generosity, and resilience that were essential for the survival of the Plains nations.

An Enduring Legacy

The arrival of Euro-American settlers and the subsequent conflicts with the United States Army profoundly altered the context of Plains warfare. The stakes became existential, shifting from inter-tribal skirmishes for prestige and resources to a desperate struggle for survival and land. Yet, even in these dire circumstances, the traditional honor system persisted. Warriors continued to count coup on soldiers, capture cavalry horses, and display acts of incredible bravery, demonstrating the enduring power of their cultural values in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Plains Warfare Honor System and its counting of achievements offer a powerful counter-narrative to the simplistic "savage" stereotype. It reveals a sophisticated culture that valued courage, selflessness, and skill above all else, where individual prowess was celebrated as a contribution to the collective good. It was a system that molded identity, governed social relations, and provided a rich tapestry of meaning for those who lived and fought on the vast, sacred lands of the Great Plains. Through understanding this intricate code, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity, resilience, and profound honor embedded within Indigenous societies.