Young Man Afraid of His Horse, 1836-1893

The name MAN AFRAID OF HIS HORSES is the inaccurate translation of the Teton phrase "Tasunka Kokipapi," which means, “the man of whose horse we are afraid.” It also has been translated to "They Fear Even His Horse." This name was given to Young Man's father, Old Man, and passed down to him. The name implied that the man was so fierce in battle that just the sight of his horse brought fear to others.

Old Man Afraid of His Horses was the head chief of the Oglala in 1854 and the leader of the Hunkpatila band. After Red Cloud took the Head Chief’s position, Old Man was called PAYABA, “Pushed Aside.” He refused to sign the 1865 treaty but knew the power of the white men and wanted peace if it could be obtained on terms favorable to the Indians. It was Old Man’s peaceful inclination that led the Oglalas to flock to Red Cloud who led them in war against the whites. Old Man signed the 1869 treaty but joined in the opposition to the sale of the Black Hills.

Young Man Afraid of His Horses became an active leader of the Oglala even while his father was still alive. Young Man was considered a progressive who opposed the traditional way of life and aided Agent McGillycuddy in attempting to dispose of Red Cloud’s power. However, Young Man sided with the older chiefs and refused to sign the Treaty of 1889 that would break up the Great Sioux Reservation ...

Tasunka Kokipapi; also known as Young Man Afraid of His Horses; also known as His-Horses-Are-Afraid; also known as They-Fear-Even-His-Horses; also known as His Horse Is Feared; also known as Tȟašúŋke Kȟokípȟapi; born 1836 – died July 13, 1893, near New Castle, Wyoming; Oglala Lakota leader known for his participation in Red Cloud's War, as a negotiator for the Sioux Nation after the Wounded Knee Massacre, and for serving on delegations to Washington, D.C. ...