4. _Kiñep_, "Big Shields." To them belonged the _gadómbitsóñhi_ image or idol, now lost, which was exposed in front of the _taíme_ image at the annual sun dance.
5. _Semät_, "Thieves," i. e., Apache. Although a distinct tribe, they have formed an integral part of the Kiowa tribal circle from the earliest traditionary period.
6. _Koñtä´lyui_, "Black Boys," or _Síndiyúi_, "Sindi's children." No reason is assigned for either of these names, which are about equally common, Sindi is the great mythic hero of the Kiowa. They are a small band, and occupy the last place in the circle.
7. _K'úato_ "Pulling Up." These were exterminated by the Dakota about 1780, as already related. They spoke a peculiar dialect of Kiowa. It is not now known what position they occupied in the tribal circle.
Clark mentions four of these divisions, under the names of Elk (_Kogúi_), Shield (_Kiñep_), Cut-Off (_K`at'a_), and Black (_Koñtälyui_), and adds, "some claim five, the Apache Kiowa band" (_Clark, 20_).
[Illustration: FIG. 55--The Kiowa camp circle]
The Kiowa have an elaborate military organization, now fast becoming obsolete, known as _Yä´pähe_, "Warriors." A similar organization is found among most of the prairie tribes, and is commonly known to the whites as the Dog-soldier society, from an imperfect rendering of the name of one of the principal bands. The Kiowa organization consists of six orders, each having its own dance, songs, insignia, and duties. The members were first enrolled as boys among the "Rabbits," and were afterward promoted, according to merit or the necessities of war, in regular progression, to higher ranks. Only the bravest few, however, ever attained the highest order, that of the _Kâ-itséñko_. Almost every able-bodied man was enrolled. The orders, beginning with the lowest, are as follows:
1. _Polä´ñyup_ or _Tsä´ñyui_, "Rabbits." Boys above the age of eight or ten years, who were drilled in their future duties as warriors by certain old men. The step of their dance is intended to imitate the jumping of a rabbit.
2. _Ädaltóyui_ or _Téñbeyu´i_, "Young (wild) Sheep."
3. _Tseñtä´nmo_, "Horse Head-dresses." (?)
5. _T'äñpéko_, "Skunkberry People" or _Tséñ-â'dalka-i_, "Crazy Horses."