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In westerns Indians use smoke signals, but was that ever done in real life?

2007-09-21 14:38:19 · 16 answers · asked by Yafooey! 5 in Society & Culture Cultures & Groups Other - Cultures & Groups

16 answers

Native Americans are not the only group of people who have used smoke signals to communicate. The Chinese have also used smoke signals as well as the Boy Scouts of America. This form of communication is used by creating puffs of smoke using a fire and a blanket. The smoke signals must be used in an area where they will be visible to the receiver and is usually transmitted atop a hill or mountain.
The meaning of smoke signals is not as clear cut as other forms of communication. There is no general code or standard meanings for the different shapes, numbers, and type of smoke puffs. The reason for this is because enemies are also viewing the smoke signals. For this reason, the code is predetermined by the sender and the receiver.
Although smoke signals do not have a clear code to decipher the smoke signals, there are a couple of messages that are common. Sending only one puff of smoke is usually a call of attention. Sending two puffs of smoke in your smoke signals is usually a sign that everything is okay. In contrast, three puffs of smoke can be a signal that something is wrong.
Smoke signals have been very useful at times. Native Americans and others were able to communicate from long distances giving warnings and other smoke signals. Although technology may have replaced the need for smoke signals, there is still a place for them in certain situations.
The Boy Scouts of America also use the three puffs of smoke in their smoke signals to mean something is wrong. They take this very seriously. In fact, even three different fires, three gun shots, and three whistles can also mean that a boy scout is in trouble. It is best to refrain from using this signal unless you are in need of serious assistance.

2007-09-21 14:48:23 · answer #1 · answered by claudiacake 7 · 5 1

Indian Smoke Signals

2016-10-02 10:49:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

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RE:
Did American Native Indians use smoke signals or is that a myth?
In westerns Indians use smoke signals, but was that ever done in real life?

2015-08-07 16:31:51 · answer #3 · answered by Paul 1 · 0 0

They did. Many people have done so, including the Chinese. Boy Scouts were taught some forms of communication with smoke signals, and it is a good skill to have for anyone who spends a great deal of time in the wilderness.

In the summer, there are fire-towers in many parts of the country, and should one be lost or injured, smoke signals can attract attention, letting someone know that a person needs aid, and not simply that there is a fire in the area.

The Vatican still uses smoke signals to announce the outcomes of votes for the new Pontiff.

2007-09-21 14:52:36 · answer #4 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2 0

Most Native Americans wear suits and own the bank or the local casino. But I guess in times past they did use smoke signals to communicate. It was actually quite sofiscated.
using green leaves to make it darker and a form of long and short bursts. Like an SOS signal or a moris code type of talk.
But when the cavlery figured it out it was almost a death sentence for sending it. Because they could see where they were. They could tell by the smoke they were saying something. Didn't know what but knew it was a signal.
During World War 2 the cherokee Indians used their language to talk to each other because no enemy understood it. They placed on Indian in each group to translate.

2007-09-21 14:49:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1 2

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Not really I do not see any people in my tribe use smoke signals to communicate and I own a cell phone. We do not live in the 18th century you know. We can use technology. Hope I helped <3

2016-04-11 03:40:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Yes, they did use smoke to signal all in areas that were higher areas. Mainly for meeting, bad weather, or warnings from others coming their way.

2007-09-21 14:44:25 · answer #7 · answered by duh..... 1 · 3 1

Yes, it was! It was a highly effective way to get messages from one site to the next quickly without having to ride great distances when time may have been of the essence!

2007-09-21 15:00:50 · answer #8 · answered by Chris B 7 · 2 0

I think they did... lots of ancient cultures used smoke and fire signals to communicate over distances. If you think about it, it only makes sense...

2007-09-21 14:43:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

They used them to comunicate. In a series of one, two, and three puffs.
One puff : Attention
Two puffs: Alls well
Three puffs: Danger

2007-09-21 15:14:33 · answer #10 · answered by woodster 4 · 1 1

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