“ Vying for the Coup “

The proudest day in the life of any young warrior occurred when he counted his first coup. Every one that followed established a chain of indelible accomplishments.

At dances and ceremonies he was expected to join the other warriors in recounting each coup, which had been leveled in tribal defense.

The stakes were high and the hazards were great to touch an enemy in battle with something held in one’s hand.

It came to be the most positive way in which a man could show that he was skillful and brave and conscious of his responsibilities.

Competition to count coup on an enemy in battle could be fierce and might have given rise to the scene depicted in this sculpture of two young Cheyenne warriors vying for the coup.