One of the tests of manhood for a Native American was counting coup. What was the supreme act of counting coup?

Siskin

This may not be correct mochyn, but it's fascinating stuff! Demonstration of personal bravery was a central aspect ofthe way of life of the people of the Great Plains. It was generally recognized as a greater accomplishment to touch an enemy in battle with a specially decorated stick than it was to kill that enemy in battle. http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:pYky8TE-tzoJ:www.public.iastate.edu/~history/lessons/hannibal/na-gplns.txt+native+american+counting+coup+%2B+being+the+first+into+battle&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 Dec 10 03, 5:32 PM

eset	I'm not sure, but I think the coup system was unique to the Sioux. Dec 11 03, 9:53 AM

Siskin

It was for all the tribes - Crow, Cheyenne, Sioux, Arapaho etc. Each tribe had their own system whereby each coup was ranked and graded. http://wwmag.net/coup.htm Dec 11 03, 11:31 AM

Senior Moments

And killing an injured animal with an arrow was introduced by the French and called a Mercy Bow Coup Dec 11 03, 11:43 AM

docmann

The Kiowas gave the highest coup, the "grand coup", to the warrior who charged the enemy while his party was in retreat and rescued a comrade in the process. The Crow awarded their greatest coup for killing the enemy with a hand weapon, taking his horse from in front of the lodge, and taking his weapons, medicine bundle, and totems. Generally speaking, coup was considered greater when it involved "touching" the enemy with either the warriors hand or a rather non-lethal weapon. To approach the enemy and "touch" the enemy with hand or "coup stick" was considered a great feat. Apr 18 07, 11:53 PM