Anthropologists tell us that people make and use objects for three important purposes: economic, social and spiritual. In the first group are tools, houses, everyday clothing--all those things we need to cope with the environment. In the second, we find objects which identify individuals within a society--a king's crown, coup sticks, convention badges. In the third are such symbolic articles as altars or icons. The total assemblage of these three types of objects made and used by a particular group can provide particular insight, into the economic, social and spiritual life of that group.

The Comanche Indian community of Oklahoma numbers about 7500 people living on lands spread throughout the southwestern part of the state. Comanche farms and ranches are physically separated from each other by non-Indian land holdings, but it is still possible to talk of a "Comanche community" since there are numerous and frequent social gatherings and meetings.