"Comanche Summer" Takes Places in Texas
The Battle of Adobe Walls took place on June 26, 1874. To commemorate the historic event, an exhibit titled “Remembering 150 Years Adobe Walls” debuted at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas, on June 28.
Comanche dancers and singers were at the exhibit to give dance demonstrations, while former Comanche Nation Chairman Wallace Coffey gave a brief history of Adobe Walls.
The annual “Comanche Summer” took place on June 29 at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park Pioneer Amphitheater. “Comanche Summer” displays the Comanche culture through songs and dance performances by tribal members.
Coordinator Benny Tahmahkera said the “Comanche Summer” is a very special event this year.
“It's pretty special, you know, especially this time, the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Adobe Walls, that our leadership of the Comanche Nations out here,” he said. “And we got to bring some of our finest dancers and singers out here to help celebrate and help remember our footsteps, the Comanche footsteps, that's out here in this canyon. A very sacred place to us, you know, and we hold it in high regard.”
He Tahmahkera the Palo Duro Canyon is a big part of Comanche history.
“A lot of the stories that have been passed down is we used this canyon as a winter campground, you know, for hundreds of years and…they say this is the natural terrain, provide a cover, concealment from the elements in the winter, we provide a game down here in the bottom, give them to the winters, and it's well hidden,” he said. “When you come out here, everything is flat, then all of a sudden, out here's this big beautiful canyon that opens up.”
Marla Nauni, who also coordinated the event, said the site holds cultural importance.
“Being that Benny is the great-great-grandson of Quanah Parker, it's important that, you know, pieces of our history are told in whatever, whoever you come from, whether it be a chief, whether it be a leader, whether it be anything like that,” she said. “I think it's very important for our people to rise up and start to tell our story.”
Nauni said the event started in 2012.
“I'm just thankful that we get to do that every year and showcase our vibrant Comanche culture, and just looking forward to the years to come,” she said.
Nauni said she hopes future generations will continue their education in Comanche history and culture. Comanche Nation Princess Blue Sky and Comanche Nation Junior Princess Arlene Schonchin performed the Lord's Prayer.
Comanche Nation Chairman Forrest Tahdooahnippah, Vice Chairwoman Diana Gail Sovo-Doyebi, and Comanche Business Committee Woman Hazel Tahsequah also participated in the event.
