Stories from Saddle Mountain: Autobiographies of a Kiowa Family

Stories from Saddle Mountain is a 2023 book that chronicles family stories and the history of the Tongkeamhas, a Kiowa family, in the Saddle Mountain community for over a century. Henrietta Apayyat (1912–93) began penning her memoirs in 1968, covering various aspects of her life, including experiences at a Peyote meeting, church events, subsistence activities, and attending boarding schools and public schools. Her son Raymond Tongkeamha also contributed his autobiography, highlighting the changes and traditions in twentieth-century Kiowa life in the Saddle Mountain countryside.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Stories from Saddle Mountain is a captivating collection of family narratives that intricately weaves the Tongkeamhas, a Kiowa family, into the vibrant tapestry of the Saddle Mountain community over a span of more than a century. Born in 1912 and raised near the picturesque Saddle Mountain, Henrietta Apayyat (1912–93) embarked on a remarkable journey of life, finding solace and love in the embrace of this serene locale. Alongside her devoted husband, she nurtured a brood of five sons and five daughters, instilling in them the values and traditions that would shape their future.

In the year 1968, a pivotal moment arrived when Henrietta embarked on the arduous task of penning her memoirs. These memoirs, filled with vivid accounts and personal reflections, captured the essence of her life experiences. They encompassed a wide range of topics, from poignant recollections of a Peyote meeting to lively descriptions of revivals and Christmas encampments at the Saddle Mountain Church. Moreover, they delved into the intricacies of subsistence activities, as well as her journey through boarding schools and public schools.

While Henrietta's son Raymond Tongkeamha ventured far and wide, often leaving home on frequent expeditions, Henrietta herself spent much of her childhood and adolescence close to her roots. She relished the opportunity to work alongside her grandparents, gaining valuable insights into the intricacies of rural life. Together, they witnessed the transformative power of modernization, as radios, televisions, and JCPenney became fixtures in their lives.

Through their collective autobiographies, Henrietta and Raymond Tongkeamha shed light on the dynamic shifts and enduring customs that characterized twentieth-century Kiowa life in the picturesque Saddle Mountain countryside. Their stories serve as a testament to the resilience and strength of the community, as well as the profound impact of family, tradition, and the ever-changing world around them.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496228116