Maps of North American Native American tribes

[countryboy]

Many tribes practiced torture, and some of their methods were as ingenious as they are frankly hard to read about. Larry McMurtry, author of the Lonesome Dove books and many others, has incorporated some of those practices into his stories, but even he has avoided relating some of the more truly horrifying methods. It's one area of research I have to recommend someone not undertake.

Yep, I'm a big fan of the Berrybender Narratives.

[Cletus]

Many tribes practiced torture, and some of their methods were as ingenious as they are frankly hard to read about. Larry McMurtry, author of the Lonesome Dove books and many others, has incorporated some of those practices into his stories, but even he has avoided relating some of the more truly horrifying methods. It's one area of research I have to recommend someone not undertake.

Very true. Every family, regardless of race or ethnicity has its lore. My family has always taken great pride in the fact that they could keep their torture victims alive longer than just about anyone else in the 5 (later 6) nations. It was an art form. Some were known for pottery, others for weaving. We were known as the best torturers in the business. My ancestors made the Spanish Inquisitors look like amateurs.

[Peter1469]

Very true. Every family, regardless of race or ethnicity has its lore. My family has always taken great pride in the fact that they could keep their torture victims alive longer than just about anyone else in the 5 (later 6) nations. It was an art form. Some were known for pottery, others for weaving. We were known as the best torturers in the business. My ancestors made the Spanish Inquisitors look like amateurs.

Also considering how long the Spanish Inquisition was "active," they didn't really do much.

[Standing Wolf]

Very true. Every family, regardless of race or ethnicity has its lore. My family has always taken great pride in the fact that they could keep their torture victims alive longer than just about anyone else in the 5 (later 6) nations. It was an art form. Some were known for pottery, others for weaving. We were known as the best torturers in the business. My ancestors made the Spanish Inquisitors look like amateurs.

I used to know the tribe, but I've forgotten. Was it Apache?

[Mister D]

What I find unsettling about Native American torture is its ritualistic character.

[Standing Wolf]

What I find unsettling about Native American torture is its ritualistic character.

I've heard it explained as the Indians' way of honoring a captive by giving him the opportunity to show how brave and stoic he can be in the face of torture. Eh...I'm not so sure I buy that one.

[Mister D]

I've heard it explained as the Indians' way of honoring a captive by giving him the opportunity to show how brave and stoic he can be in the face of torture. Eh...I'm not so sure I buy that one.

I read the exact same thing.

[Cletus]

I used to know the tribe, but I've forgotten. Was it Apache?

Both Seneca and Mohawk. My father was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, but my ancestry includes a Mohawk branch. Both are members of the Iroquois Confederacy.

[Cletus]

I've heard it explained as the Indians' way of honoring a captive by giving him the opportunity to show how brave and stoic he can be in the face of torture. Eh...I'm not so sure I buy that one.

There is actually some truth to that. One of my Dutch ancestors was captured by the Algonquin and taken from what is now New York into Canada, where he was held for 3 years. He was eventually accepted (almost) as a peer after enduring for just short of 3 years and actually escaped when he was permitted to go with his captors on a raiding party against the Mohawk (The Mohawk were Dutch allies) When he showed back up at his original settlement and sounded a warning, he was initially mistaken for an Indian. He was later actually granted lands by the Mohawk and for years, served as an interpreter and ambassador to the 5 nations. The Dutch side of my family did a lot of commingling with the nations, primarily the Seneca and the Mohawk during this time, serving as traders, scouts, etc.