Native Cultural Arts: Comanche Bow and Arrows

Join Willie Pekah as he shares his wealth of knowledge about making Comanche bows and arrows.

[bojens]

I’m 80. As kids we all knew how to make bows and arrows, slingshots, kites, whistles and anything that we could whittles with the pocket knives we all carried. We learned it all from older brothers, fathers, uncles and each other. All that kid knowledge, passed down from one kid to the other for centuries has disappeared in my lifetime.
We watch this, not to learn how to make a bow and arrow, but because we’re fascinated by the last man doing what everyone in his world used to do as a matter of course.

[robfielding]

I’m an English Longbowman. My Bow is 78 inches long and the power goes from 55 lbw to 140 lbw for the big Warbow. I’ve made hundreds of arrows over the years mainly 28 inch to 32 inch. It’s great to see traditional skills being passed onto the next generations. We say the Brotherhood of the Bow.

[NNocona]

Rest in peace Elder Pekah. I would’ve loved a wood carving lesson from this man.

[AutisticArcher]

As an archer, Dutch Traditional Hunting, I bow my head out of respect for this craftsman

[Nubenhoofer]

Wow.. I'm so glad this guy is out there. This is what the internet was made for. Forget all the arguing and politics. This man is preserving his heritage in beautiful fashion. My heart aches when I think of how many tribal arts have been lost. Thank you Willie for sharing this amazing skill with the world. I can't wait to teach my son when he's old enough!

[cowboy]

And now here on the internet and YouTube, you have preserved your tradition forever.

[nuketeacup]

What a fantastic video. Willie Pekah is a fount of knowledge, I could listen to him talk about this stuff for hours. Thank you for preserving this knowledge for generations to come!

[jimbigboystoys]

Native American craftsmanship from the days of old has always fascinated me. And as a traditional archer myself, I find this sort of stuff, especially interesting.

[carrollmcpherson]

I think you should know that there are many many people, people of your culture and people of others including myself that really appreciate you sharing this with us.

[crustybastard]

From the stone age to the jet age in 80 years. It's great seeing a craftsman reviving the old ways .

[MayorofCheeseland]

Am I the only one to chuckle at the thought of the Comanche making arrow points out of settlers wagon wheels? Lol That’s some OG Trolling.

[thedevilinthecircuit]

You sir are a national treasure and a credit to the Comanche Nation. Thank you for your lecture on these wonderful bows and arrows.

[joeycrooker]

I have been shooting traditional bow since the age of 8, and am a proud Comanche descendent of Quanah

[craigjovanovich]

I really enjoyed this! Please thank Mr. Pekah for the time. Fascinating.

[joygrubb]

Willie, I loved your video. My name is Jim Grubb, I got my Uncle an old Scotts Irishman to help my make my first bow in 1956 when I was 7. My favorite arrows were dried hemp weeds or muliflora rose tipped with .38 cal brass.Still in love with the rose shafts. He made it out of green apple limbs cut at an angle & taped in the handle. I don't get to far from home, but, its great here in the S/W corner of Iowa. I live close to the Loes Hills where Chief Waubonsie is Laied to rest. I too love short Hedge Apple wood for bows. I found over the years I can get very close to deer & a short draw with no anchor Will hit anything I can look at. As long as you never make eye contact, if you do they will know whats in your mind just like the tall man does. Too much about me. I would truly like to see more bow making from your perspective. I like all kinds of bows, but, I'm in love at this time with Hoopa & Modock paddle bows.

[warrens.]

Whelp you immortalized your people's tradition. Thank you old timer!!

[pilocereus]

greetings from paisley concerning the crouching when in battle was pro😊😊bably the reason you were the real deal and robin hood was a legend jj stewart

[georgeehmke]

Wow. What an incredible treasure of skill and knowledge this man is. Fascinating insights of a fascinating culture. Keeping it alive. God bless him and 'his people'.

[curtishawkins]

Having made several osage bows and dogwood arrows, I can tell you that your first arrows are as difficult to make as the actual bow. Takes a bit to get right at first, but then becomes easy. People have a hard time believing that one can make as nice of arrow this way as you can with a factory shaft but it's entirely doable. Nice job sir!

[reddevilparatrooper]

I love the way he explains the ballistics of trajectory of Comanche archery. A true warrior should know like how a modern soldier should know about battle sight zero in modern combat. The feel of a warrior's weapon to be accurate in battle or hunting is his skill to survive in all situations..