Comanche Cradleboard

Cradleboards made by members of the Comanche Tribe were reinforced with a protective rawhide lining. Prior to the 1880s they were simply adorned with painted pouches and designs composed of brass tacks on the upper portion of the boards. Today, the Comanche's use many types of designs, particular to the sex of the child and usually including the seven colors of the rainbow to ornament their cradles. Their cradleboards are beaded around the hood and the entire rim or fully beaded. When a Comanche baby is placed in a completed cradle, both the cradle and baby are blessed with accompanying prayers by a Native doctor, grandfather or male elder to ensure a good life. Each family may have their own traditions. This historic cradleboard is said to have belonged to White Parker, son of Comanche leader Quanah Parker.
The word "Comanche" has many meanings but generally comes from the Ute word for their enemies - "Komant-cia" (or "Kimaci"), "one who fights me all the time" or "enemy." The label was used by the Spanish and Anglicized to "Comanche. Members of the tribe refer to themselves as Numunah or Nuh-muhnuh, "the People."
Cradle in Comanche language: kõhn

Front-facing view of the cradle.