Final answer:
The beginning of tribal scars refers to a ledger drawing depicting a historical battle event between the Kiowa and U.S. Army, emphasizing detailed documentation of participants and actions. Scarification and origin stories play crucial roles in establishing cultural identity and worldviews among indigenous peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
The story at the beginning of tribal scars involves the depiction of a particular historical event through artwork, specifically using a ledger to document a battle. This method of documentation was necessary after the deprivation of bison skins, which were traditionally used for recording tribal history. The Kiowa ledger in question probably illustrates the 1874 battle at Buffalo Wallow between the Kiowa and the U.S. Army. This battle involved the Kiowa being trapped in a natural depression used by animals for drinking and bathing. The artists, who were selected for their artistic ability rather than their warrior status, drew each person with great detail, including what they wore, their actions during the battle, and those who were injured or actively engaged in shooting.
In terms of broader cultural practices such as scarification, this was used by many cultures, including the Ibo of modern-day Nigeria, to mark group identity and status. Meanwhile, indigenous groups across the Western hemisphere have origin stories that link them to their lands and establish a deep sense of identity and purpose. The first inhabitants of these stories often emerge from the natural world and shape the worldview of their people through creation myths and the establishment of their peoples' role in the world.