Origin of the Name

The name “Shoshone” comes from “Sosoni,” meaning “high-growing grasses.” Outsiders also called them “Snake Indians,” though this came from a misunderstood hand sign that really meant “people near the river.”

Range

The Shoshone lived across much of the West, including Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Different groups lived in deserts, valleys, and the Rocky Mountains.

Diet

Food depended on where they lived. Basin Shoshone ate seeds, nuts, and rabbits. Mountain and Plains groups hunted buffalo, fished in rivers, and gathered berries.

Homes

In the desert, the Shoshone built small brush shelters called wikiups. On the Plains, they used buffalo-hide tipis, which were easy to move as they traveled.

Culture

The Shoshone were highly adaptable, and their culture reflected the diversity of the landscapes where they lived. They created different traditions depending on whether they lived in the desert, mountains, or plains. Music, storytelling, and crafts were all central to daily life. Traditional songs were often accompanied by rattles, drums, and wooden flutes, and they were performed at dances, ceremonies, or social gatherings. Storytelling passed down myths, history, and moral lessons. Among these tales, the trickster Coyote appeared often, teaching lessons about wisdom, greed, and survival.

Art and craftsmanship were also very important. The Shoshone were known for their beautifully woven baskets, which were made from willow, sagebrush, and grasses. These baskets were used for food gathering, cooking, and carrying water. They also decorated buckskin clothing with beads, shells, and porcupine quills, often in patterns that carried symbolic meaning. After trade with Europeans began, they added glass beads to their designs, creating colorful belts, moccasins, and dresses.

Spiritual life was guided by a belief in harmony with nature. Shamans, or spiritual leaders, helped heal the sick and guided ceremonies. Dreams and visions were seen as powerful messages, often influencing hunts, battles, or personal choices. The Sun Dance, later adopted from Plains tribes, became a sacred ceremony practiced by some Shoshone groups.

Family was the heart of Shoshone culture. They lived in small bands led by a respected chief, usually chosen for wisdom and generosity rather than strict power. Cooperation was essential for survival, especially during hunting or food-gathering seasons. Marriage often connected different bands, strengthening ties across their wide territory.

The Shoshone were also skilled traders. They exchanged food, hides, horses, and crafts with neighboring tribes such as the Ute, Bannock, and Nez Perce. Through trade networks, they gained items like corn, shells, and later, European goods such as guns and metal tools. This exchange helped them adapt quickly to changes in their environment and in the world around them.

Perhaps the most famous cultural contribution was through Sacagawea, the young Shoshone woman who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805–1806. Her knowledge of languages, survival skills, and the land itself made her a symbol of Shoshone resourcefulness and resilience. Today, the Shoshone continue to celebrate their traditions with powwows, dances, and cultural festivals that keep their history alive for new generations.

Myths and Stories

Coyote, a central figure in Shoshone stories, was seen as both a helper and a trickster. In one tale, Coyote wanted to bring fire to the people. He tricked the fire spirits by stealing a burning stick and passing it to other animals who helped carry it across the land. Because of Coyote’s cleverness, humans gained fire, but his tail was scorched black in the process.

Shoshone Fire Myth

In another story, Coyote bragged that he was the fastest runner of all animals. To prove it, he challenged the mountain sheep to a race. At first, he sprinted ahead, laughing at how easily he would win. But he grew careless and stopped to rest, while the mountain sheep climbed steadily. In the end, Coyote lost. The story taught that pride and laziness can cause even the clever to fail.

Such stories entertained families around the fire and also carried important lessons about humility, sharing, and the dangers of greed. Through Coyote, the Shoshone passed down wisdom in a way that was both playful and meaningful.

Warfare

Warfare among the Shoshone changed over time. Before they had horses, their conflicts were usually small and focused on defending hunting grounds or resources. After the 1700s, when horses spread into their lands, Shoshone warriors became skilled riders and could travel farther for raids. They often fought with neighboring tribes such as the Blackfoot, Crow, and Sioux, competing for buffalo herds and horses. In the 1800s, as settlers and the U.S. Army moved into Shoshone territory, violent clashes grew more common. One of the most tragic events was the Bear River Massacre of 1863, when U.S. troops killed hundreds of Shoshone men, women, and children. Despite these losses, Shoshone leaders like Chief Washakie worked to protect their people through both resistance and diplomacy.

History Timeline

• Before 1600: Shoshone live as hunter-gatherers.
• 1700s: Horses spread to the Shoshone, changing their way of life.
• 1805: Sacagawea guides Lewis and Clark.
• 1863: Bear River Massacre—hundreds of Shoshone killed by U.S. troops.
• Late 1800s: Many Shoshone moved to reservations.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did the Shoshone have different foods depending on where they lived?
2. How did horses make life easier for the Shoshone?
3. Why is Sacagawea remembered in American history?
4. What does the Bear River Massacre tell us about the challenges the Shoshone faced?