COMANCHE BANDS

Comanches had organized bands, led by Band Chiefs, who came together as needed.  At one time there may have been as many as thirty five Bands, but during the nineteenth century there were five outstanding bands identified.  They were the Penatuka, Yaparuka, Noyuka, Kwaharu and  Kuhtsutuuka.

Hanitaibo -- Corn People

Kuhtsutuuka -- Buffalo Eaters Band

Kwaharu -- Antelope Eaters Band

Kwahihuu ki -- Back Shade Comanche Band

Kwaru / Kwa?aru Nuu  -- Loud Speaking People Band

Nokoni / Nokoninuu -- "They Travel Around"

Noyuhkanuu / Noyukanuu -- Wanderers Band

Ohnonuu / Ohnononuu / Onahununuu -- Comanche Clan from Cyril area

Parukaa / Padouka -- name given the Comanches by the Sioux people

Pekwi Tuhka -- Fish Eaters Band

Penatuka / Penanuu / Pihnaatuka / Penatuka Nuu -- Honey Eaters Band, also known as Quick Striking

Pikaatamu -- Buckskin Sewing Band

Saria Tuhka / Sata Teichas -- Dog Eaters Band

Taninuu -- Liver Eaters Band living south of the Peace River in Texas

Tutsanoo Yehku -- Comanche Band

Wianu / Wianuu / Wia?nuu -- Comanche Band from the Walters OK area 

Yaparuhka / Yapai Nuu / Yapainuu / Yapuruhka -- Root Eaters Band

Numunuu -- Comanche People (plural), "crawling on belly like a snake"

Numu -- Comanche Person (singular)

*from Our Comanche Dictionary, published by the Comanche Language and Cultural Preservation Committee