History Main / TheSavageIndian

* In Westerns where the hero is an Indian or similar NobleSavage, the savage tropes are given to a rival tribe. Examples include the Pawnee in ''Film/DancesWithWolves'' or Wirepa's tribe in ''Film/DeadLands''.

* Zig-Zagged in ''Literature/BloodMeridian'': some natives encountered by [[KidsAreCruel The Kid]] and the various gangs he joins are this to a T, most notably the [[TheHorde Comanche warband]] that completely obliterates (and in many instances [[CruelAndUnusualDeath mutilates and violates]]) [[MilesGloriosus Captain]] [[DeathByRacism White's]] filibuster expedition and the Delaware trackers who ride with the gang and commit atrocities such as [[WouldHurtAChild smashing infants to pieces on rocks]]. However, other native groups such as the Gilenos and the Tiguas that [[{{Outlaw}} the Glanton Gang]] massacre are mostly peaceful. Still other native peoples are portrayed on a scale of savage to noble, such as Karakawas who are rumored to be [[ImAHumanitarian cannibals]] but aren't actually shown doing anything untoward, and the Yuma band that [[spoiler:ultimately end Glanton's group]], who are shown as being respectful if wary of the gang at first but absolutely willing to [[LetsGetDangerous resort to brutal violence]] for aims both [[PragmaticVillainy political]] (controlling the ferry) and [[RoaringRampageofRevenge revenge-based]] (following their heavy losses in the ferry battle).

* ''VideoGame/GameAndWatch: Fire Attack'' makes no effort to hide that the enemies trying to burn down your fort are supposed to be Native Americans, with the opposing Mr. Game & Watches wearing comically huge feathered headbands and your player character wearing a cowboy hat. This has made the game a notable subject of controversy in the succeeding decades, with Nintendo of America opting to remove the feathers from the Native Americans for the game's re-release in ''Game & Watch Gallery 4'' on the Game Boy Advance, the characters being rebranded as generic bandits to remove any racial connotations. ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' was another game notably affected by ''Fire Attack'', as the animation for Mr. Game & Watch's forward smash was redesigned to more closely resemble it, following the theme of Mr. Game & Watch now transforming into the characters of the [=G&W=] games in each attack. Following public outcry, Nintendo opted to censor the animation identically to ''Game & Watch Gallery 4'', once again removing the feather, and with it any indication of Native American stereotyping.

This trope has ancient forerunners: practically every culture has identified a less technologically advanced neighbor as "savage", particularly when there existed a conflict of interests. It became especially common in the age of imperialism during which racist conceptions of human evolution and society were used to advance a policy of [[WhiteMansBurden "enlightened" Europeans "civilizing"]] the rest of the world. In the United States, expanding settlers repeatedly came into conflict with the native tribes, sometimes voluntarily but sometimes simply through [[PoorCommunicationKills cross-cultural misinterpretation]]. These conflicts between various native groups against both European/American settlers and also against rival tribes led to the common perception in mainstream American culture that most, if not all, natives were brutal savages. Battles against savage Indians were commonplace in [[TheWestern Western fiction]] up until the modern era, putting this on the edge of becoming a DeadHorseTrope. Modern "Revisionist Western" fiction typically attempts to provide a more diverse and historically accurate view of violence by and against Native Americans.

This trope has ancient forerunners: practically every culture has identified a less technologically advanced neighbor as "savage", particularly when there existed a conflict of interests. It became especially common in the age of imperialism during which racist conceptions of human evolution and society were used to advance a policy of [[WhiteMansBurden "enlightened" Europeans "civilizing"]] the rest of the world. In the United States, expanding settlers repeatedly came into conflict with the native tribes, sometimes through the machinations of both parties but sometimes simply through [[PoorCommunicationKills cross-cultural misinterpretation]]. These conflicts between various native groups against both European/American settlers and also against rival tribes led to the common perception in mainstream American culture that most, if not all, natives were brutal savages. Battles against savage Indians were commonplace in [[TheWestern Western fiction]] up until the modern era, putting this on the edge of becoming a DeadHorseTrope. Modern "Revisionist Western" fiction typically attempts to provide a more diverse and historically accurate view of violence by and against Native Americans.

This trope has ancient forerunners: practically every culture has identified a less technologically advanced neighbor as "savage", particularly when there existed a conflict of interests.[[note]]Whereas of course, a ''more''-advanced neighbour was the [[TheEmpire Evil Empire]] threatening to enslave us and wipe out our way of life. Whatever it takes to make "us" the good guys.[[/note]] It became especially common in the age of imperialism during which racist conceptions of human evolution and society were used to advance a policy of [[WhiteMansBurden "enlightened" Europeans "civilizing"]] the rest of the world. In the United States, expanding settlers repeatedly came into conflict with the native tribes, sometimes through the machinations of both parties but sometimes simply through [[PoorCommunicationKills cross-cultural misinterpretation]]. Various abhorrent acts of violence perpetrated by various native groups against both European/American settlers and also against rival tribes led to the common perception in mainstream American culture that most, if not all, natives were brutal savages. Battles against savage Indians were commonplace in [[TheWestern Western fiction]] up until the modern era of increased political correctness, putting this on the edge of becoming a DeadHorseTrope. Modern "Revisionist Western" fiction typically attempts to provide a more diverse and historically accurate view of violence by and against Native Americans.

* ''Film/BoneTomahawk'' attempts to avoid the UnfortunateImplications of this trope by making the antagonists a group of inbred {{Contemporary Cavem|an}}en that other Native Americans find savage and monstrous. Tall Trees, the main Native character, is a well-read professor respected even by white settlers.

* ''Film/BoneTomahawk'' attempts to avoid the UnfortunateImplications of this trope by making the antagonists a group of inbred {{Contemporary Cavem|an}}en that other Native Americans find savage and monstrous. The one Native character in the film, "the Professor," is shown to be well-read and respected among his community.

* ''Film/BoneTomahawk'' attempts to avoid the UnfortunateImplications of this trope by making the antagonists a group of inbred cave-dwelling "troglodytes" that other Native Americans find savage and monstrous. The one Native American character in the film, "The Professor", is shown to be well-read and respected among his community.

* Zig-Zagged in ''Literature/BloodMeridian'': some natives encountered by [[KidsAreCruel The Kid]] and the various gangs he joins are this to a T, most notably the Comanche warband that completely obliterates (and in many instances [[CruelAndUnusualDeath mutilates and violates]]) [[MilesGloriosus Captain]] [[DeathByRacism White's]] filibuster expedition and the Delaware trackers who ride with the gang and commit atrocities such as [[WouldHurtAChild smashing infants to pieces on rocks]]. However, other native groups such as the Gilenos and the Tiguas that [[{{Outlaw}} the Glanton Gang]] massacre are mostly peaceful. Still other native peoples are portrayed on a scale of savage to noble, such as Karakawas who are rumored to be [[ImAHumanitarian cannibals]] but aren't actually shown doing anything untoward, and the Yuma band that [[spoiler:ultimately end Glanton's group]], who are shown as being respectful if wary of the gang at first but absolutely willing to [[LetsGetDangerous resort to brutal violence]] for aims both [[PragmaticVillainy political]] (controlling the ferry) and [[RoaringRampageofRevenge revenge-based]] (following their heavy losses in the ferry battle).

* Zig-Zagged in ''Literature/BloodMeridian'': some natives encountered by [[KidsAreCruel The Kid]] and the various gangs he joins are this to a T, most notably the Comanche warband that completely obliterates (and in many instances [[CruelAndUnusualDeath mutilates and violates]]) [[MilesGloriosus Captain]] [[DeathByRacism White's]] filibuster expedition and the Delaware trackers who ride with the gang and commit atrocities such as [[WouldHurtAChild smashing infants to pieces on rocks]]. However, other native groups such as the Gilenos that [[{{Outlaw}} the Glanton Gang]] massacre are mostly peaceful, and the Yuma band that [[spoiler:ultimately end Glanton's group]] are shown as being respectful if wary at first but absolutely willing to [[LetsGetDangerous resort to brutal violence]] if they are attacked first. Still other native peoples are portrayed on a scale of savage to noble, such as Karakawas who are rumored to be [[ImAHumanitarian cannibals]] but aren't actually shown doing anything untoward.

This trope has ancient forerunners: practically every culture has identified a less technologically advanced neighbor as "savage", particularly when there existed a conflict of interests.[[note]]Whereas of course, a ''more''-advanced neighbour was the [[TheEmpire Evil Empire]] threatening to enslave us and wipe out our way of life. Whatever it takes to make "us" the good guys.[[/note]] It became especially common in the age of imperialism during which blatantly racist ideas were used to advance a policy of [[WhiteMansBurden European nations "civilizing"]] the rest of the world. In the United States, expanding settlers repeatedly came into conflict with the native tribes. Infrequent abhorrent acts of violence perpetrated by the natives against the intruders led to the perception that all natives were brutal savages, [[BlatantLies especially considering that the settlers were all saints]]. Battles against savage Indians were commonplace in [[TheWestern Western fiction]] up until the modern era, putting this on the edge of becoming a DeadHorseTrope. In the era of the "Revisionist Western," (the era in which we find ourselves) fiction often attempts to provide a more diverse and historically accurate view of violence by and against Native Americans.

* Zig-Zagged in ''Literature/BloodMeridian'': some natives encountered by [[KidsAreCruel The Kid]] and the various gangs he joins are this to a T, most notably the Comanche warband that completely obliterates (and in many instances mutilates and violates) [[MilesGloriosus Captain]] [[DeathByRacism White's]] filibuster expedition and the Delaware trackers who ride with the gang and commit atrocities such as [[WouldHurtAChild smashing infants to pieces on rocks]]. However, other native groups such as the Gilenos that [[{{Outlaw}} the Glanton Gang]] massacre are mostly peaceful, and the Yuma band that [[spoiler:ultimately end Glanton's group]] are shown as being respectful if wary at first but absolutely willing to [[LetsGetDangerous resort to brutal violence]] if they are attacked first. Still other native peoples are portrayed on a scale of savage to noble, such as Karakawas who are rumored to be [[ImAHumanitarian cannibals]] but aren't actually shown doing anything untoward.

* Subverted in the ''Franchise/{{Tintin}}'' comics ''[[Recap/TintinTheSevenCrystalBalls The Seven Crystal Balls]]'' and ''[[Recap/TintinPrisonersOfTheSun Prisoners Of The Sun]]''. The Incas who target the Belgian archaeologists are arguably the smartest and most determined antagonists in the whole series, and only targeted the archaeologists to punish them for what they thought was the looting of an Incan ancestral tomb. When Tintin explains to the Incas that the Europeans were seeking knowledge rather than wealth, they immediately heal the archaeologists. That said, they still attempt to sacrifice Tintin and Haddock earlier, for their trespassing in sacred areas. Tintin foils this by realizing there's a solar eclipse for that day, which he used to take control over the sun, scaring the Inca into releasing them. Herge later admitted this was a dumb story turn beneath his writing standards, as Incans were sophisticated astronomers and knew all about eclipses. ''Tintin in America'' features somewhat unfortunate depictions of a plains tribe as rather primitive and hostile towards outsiders. Still, it is sympathetic in portraying them as simply wanting to protect their land. With good reason--in the end, when oil is discovered there, they are all forced out.

* Subverted in the ''Franchise/{{Tintin}}'' comics ''The Seven Crystal Balls'' and ''Prisoners Of The Sun''. The Incas who target the Belgian archaeologists are arguably the smartest and most determined antagonists in the whole series, and only targeted the archaeologists to punish them for what they thought was the looting of an Incan ancestral tomb. When Tintin explains to the Incas that the Europeans were seeking knowledge rather than wealth, they immediately heal the archaeologists. That said, they still attempt to sacrifice Tintin and Haddock earlier, for their trespassing in sacred areas. Tintin foils this by realizing there's a solar eclipse for that day, which he used to take control over the sun, scaring the Inca into releasing them. Herge later admitted this was a dumb story turn beneath his writing standards, as Incans were sophisticated astronomers and knew all about eclipses. ''Tintin in America'' features somewhat unfortunate depictions of a plains tribe as rather primitive and hostile towards outsiders. Still, it is sympathetic in portraying them as simply wanting to protect their land. With good reason--in the end, when oil is discovered there, they are all forced out.

This trope has ancient forerunners: practically every culture has identified a less technologically advanced neighbor as "savage", particularly when there existed a conflict of interests.[[note]]Whereas of course, a ''more''-advanced neighbour was the [[TheEmpire Evil Empire]] threatening to enslave us and wipe out our way of life. Whatever it takes to make "us" the good guys.[[/note]] It became especially common in the age of imperialism during which blatantly racist ideas were used to advance a policy of [[WhiteMansBurden European nations "civilizing"]] the rest of the world. In the United States, expanding settlers repeatedly came into conflict with the native tribes. Infrequent abhorrent acts of violence perpetrated by the natives against the intruders led to the perception that all natives were brutal savages, [[BlatantLies especially considering that the settlers were all saints]]. Battles against savage Indians were commonplace in Western fiction up until the modern era, putting this on the edge of becoming a DeadHorseTrope. In the era of the "Revisionist Western," (the era in which we find ourselves) fiction often attempts to provide a more diverse and historically accurate view of violence by and against Native Americans.

* ''Franchise/StarWars'' material set on Tatooine casts the Sand People/Tusken Raiders as a FantasyCounterpartCulture form of this, in keeping with the planet's SpaceWestern motif: small nomadic tribes native to Tatooine's desert who raid the settlements of offworlders, mercilessly killing anyone they meet and sometimes carting captives off to their camps to enslave or torture them further. Both ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' material and Disney-era ''Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse'' material take [[{{Reconstruction}} a more nuanced approach]], portraying the Sand People as harsh folk with brutal, alien ways, but who also have a lot of legitimate grievances with the offworlders and are willing to interact with them more amicably if approached with respect.

* Invoked InUniverse in ''Film/JungleCruise''. One of the fake thrills in [[TheBarnum Frank]]'s tourist trap cruise is an attack by Amazon natives- who are actually Frank's friends and find the whole thing just as ridiculous as the audience does.

A subtrope of HollywoodNatives. Often overlaps with other stereotypes including BraidsBeadsAndBuckskins and TontoTalk. Compare and Contrast MagicalNativeAmerican and NobleSavage. It should be noted that in older works (even with anthropology) the term "savage" is used for all cultures that are less technologically sophisticated than the (usually Western) writers. It didn't necessarily mean brutal, though other negative connotations are implied, like inferior intelligence, morality etc. Nowadays the term has long been discredited, and the similar "primitive" seems to be going the same way.

* ''Videogame/SunsetRiders'' has Chief Scalpem, a late boss and enforcer of [[EvilBrit Sir Richard Rose]] who resembles a stereotypical KnifeNut Native American war chief, crown of feathers and all. Native Americans also appear as enemies all over his stage, wielding both knives and bows. The Genesis version leaves most of this untouched but the SNES port removes all the Indian enemies and changes the boss' name to Chief Wigwam.

* In her last appearance in French sitcom ''Series/LesFillesDaCote'', Magalie receives an unexpected bequest - tribal regalia and a tomahawk which apparently belonged to an ancestor who was an Apache Indian. Much mileage, or possibly kilometrage, is had by trotting out all the Savage Indian stereotypes, taken suitably UpToEleven.

* ''Videogame/LethalEnforcers 2'', a LightGunGame in a Western setting, has Red Indian raiders as enemies in the Stage Holdup level, taking potshots on the player characters with their arrows.
* ''VideoGame/RailRoadrampage'', a BeatEmUp set in the Wild West, has tomahawk-wielding Red Indians as a recurring enemy type.