Loki Mo Keen and Adoption

Biography

Mo Keen was a Mexican captured by the Kiowa people as a small boy. He grew up as a Kiowa, and his status as a captive made him important in their religious rites: his performance of the rituals absolved the Kiowa themselves of responsibility and avoided retribution from the gods if any of the taboos were broken. He was given to the Tai May (not a person but a sacred image, part of the Sun Dance religion) and was responsible for unwrapping the image during important rites. He lived to be over 100.

References

Hirschfelder, Arlene, and Molin, Paulette. Encyclopedia of Native American Religions: An Introduction. (New York: Facts on File, 1992)