Halito Chukma, I'm Chief Adrian Roman. As a young boy growing up in Oklahoma in the 40’s and 50’s, I was exposed to the elders of my people. They were from another time and place, but they took me under their wing and exposed me too much information that would be lost by their passing. I’m appreciative to my father, grandfather, uncles and close friends of the family for sharing their shills with me. I honor each of them for the wisdom they were able to pass on to me. Today, as I share this information, I feel fulfilled in bringing this knowledge back to life from my heritage. I step forward and make available the unique fighting system of my American Indian people. I will carry the spear in honor of all the fallen warriors that came before me. Their spirit has entrusted me with the noble title of ‘Bas-po-Tushka’, the Knife Warrior.”
I grew up watching movies made in the 40's and 50's by Hollywood and was always embarrassed by the movie perception of American Indians. They took a little bit of information and made up the rest. The movie history was unkind to the American Indian and all the real Indians who had to live up to that image. Growing up as an Indian boy during the 1950’s in Oklahoma was difficult. Prejudice was alive and well and I was forced to fight for survival and wounded pride. Hollywood got some things right. We are proud people and our history as fighter is legendary. Now that the world is becoming smaller by global communication we see common seminaries by other countries.
The Ghost Warriors of the American Indian are the mirror image of the Eastern Ninja. In my native Choctaw language they are call Shilombish Tushka. There is a real connection between the Native Ninja and the Eastern Ninja. Most do not know that the American Indian practiced similar fighting tactics.
There are many WW I and WWII stories about how the Germans were utterly TERRIFIED of the possibility about coming up against American Indians at night in the trenches, or in the US Airborne (whether PR/Propaganda or real, The Germans believed the dangers were real) actually help bring these native ninja-like commando legends into the modern day.
In many ways the Eastern ninja bore a remarkable resemblance to the American Indian. They were stoical by nature and Spartan in their habits, both breeds developed great strength and endurance. They both learned to walk noiselessly and cover long distances in an amazingly short span of time. They could also detect the sound of approaching danger by putting one ear to the ground. Both were not only excellent horseman, but were also skilled with a knife as well as bow and arrow. The American Indian used flaming arrows to set enemy camps on fire and communicated with smoke signals by day, animal and birds call by night. They dug sand pits in the desert that were disguised and lay in wait for hours. They submerged themselves in swamp water and rivers and breathed thru hollow cane and reeds. They scaled vertical mountains to hide from the enemy. They prided themselves on their personal courage, preferring death to surrender or capture. The Eastern Ninja did many of the same as well. You could drop the American Indian and Eastern Ninja any place in the world and he would adapt and survive
Shilombish Tushka (Ghost Warriors) with the tribal rituals of their medicine man believed when you wore the Ghost Shirt, they had special powers and the guns could not hurt them. Crazy Horse, Roman Nose and others great Indian warriors believed the wearing the Ghost Shirt that was specially protected produce a phenomenon of "invincible reckless courage". Crazy Horse went into battle and his courage shocked the troops. The Ghost Warriors believed they were "undetectable" and "silent but deadly"
Over a hundred years ago the Cheyenne had a famous war chief whom the whites called Roman Nose. He had the fierce, proud face of a hawk, and his deeds were legendary. He always rode into battle with a long war-bonnet trailing behind him. It was thick with eagle feathers, and each stood for a brave deed, a coup counted on the enemy.
Roman Nose had a powerful war medicine, a magic stone he carried tied to his hair on the back of his head. Before a fight he sprinkled his war shirt with sacred gopher dust and painted his horse with hailstone patterns. All these things, especially the magic stone, made him bullet proof. Of course he could be slain by a lance, a knife, or a tomahawk, but not with a gun. And nobody ever got the better of Roman Nose in hand-to-hand combat.
One early white journalist’s description of Roman Nose romantically describes him as having stood 6’ 3”, with muscles under the bronze of his skin (that) stood out like twisted wires”. He is one of the finest specimens, physically, of his race. He was finely formed with a large body and muscular limbs. This chief had no peer in bodily perfection and masterful personality. No Greek or Roman gymnast was ever a finer model of physical beauty and power. He thrilled his men to frenzied action when he came upon the field.
Roman Nose always rode an uncommonly fine, spirited horse, and with his war bonnet and other paraphernalia gave a wonderful exhibition. The Indians used to say that the soldiers must gaze at him rather than aim at him, as they so seldom hit him even when running the gantlet before a firing line. One of the stories told about this legendary War Chief/American Indian Ninja.
September of 1865 some Cheyenne’s and Sioux found Colonel Walker and Colonel
Cole marching up the Powder River valley and a battle took place. When Roman
Nose learned of the troops presence, he immediately started to perform the
long ceremonies required for his sacred war bonnet, which was made for him
by White Bull (medicine man). This war bonnet gave him great powers and
protected him in battle.
He asked that no warriors make a charge until he arrived. When he finally came to the battle, mounted on his best horse with his sacred war bonnet trailing behind him almost to the ground, he stated that he was going to empty the soldiers guns. Then he proceeded to ride the full length of the line of troops, within easy shot of their carbine rifles. He performed this 3 or 4 times, getting closer and closer each time, until his horse was shot from under him and he landed on the ground running and gave the signal for a charge. All the Cheyenne’s and Sioux charged on the troops but they were unsuccessful in overtaking them, mainly because the soldiers were all well armed compared to the 10 to 15 rifles that the American Indians had. After exchanging long range fire for a while, they retreated towards the Black Hills to hunt buffalo.
More to come:
Study With Hashtali "Chief' Adrian Roman
His programs are available to those who live and work in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area and want to train with Chief Roman personally. His training is suited for the discriminating adult professional who's time is important. You can choose a private or small group classes to complete your journey into the martial arts and proven self-defense that will protect your personal body and family members. A certificate of achievement or Black Belt certification is available when you train with the Chief.
972-496-1900