THE APACHE

 

LANGUAGE: Athapascan

 

LOCATION: The Apache tribe occupied the mountains and plains of southern Arizona and New Mexico, and also in Mexico.

 

DRESS: The primitive dress of the men was deerskin shirt, leggings, and moccasins. They were never without a loin-cloth. A deerskin cap with attractive symbolic ornamentation was worn. The women wore short deerskin skirts and high boot top moccasins.

 

DWELLINGS: The Apache dwellings consisted of a dome shaped frame of cottonwood or other poles, thatched with grass. The house itself was termed, "Kowa" and the grass thatch, "Pi".

The above gravures are ALCHISE-APACHE and CUTTING MESCAL

 

RELIGION AND CEREMONIES: The ceremonies are invariably called "dances." Among these are the rain dance, a puberty right, a harvest and good crop dance, and a spirit dance. The Apache are devoutly religious and pray on many occasions and in various ways. Recreated in the human form, Apache spirits are supposed to dwell in a land of peace and plenty, where there is neither disease or death.

The above gravures are PRIMITIVE APACHE HOME and A TYPICAL APACHE

 

QUOTES FROM "THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN:" "Again, judging by the similarity in language, the Apache and the Navaho in prehistoric times were as nearly a single group as the present bands of Apache are; and, likewise, there is sufficient similarity in the underlying principles of their mythology to argue a common tribal origin. ...for the striking differences in the details of their myths would seem to indicate that the tribal separation was not a recent one, and that the mythology of the two tribes became changed in the course of its natural development along different lines or through accretion of other peoples since since the original segregation."

"The primitive Apache was a true nomad, a wandering child of Nature, whose birthright was a craving for the warpath with courage and endurance probably exceeded by no other people and with cunning beyond reckoning. Although his character is a strong mixture of courage and ferocity, the Apache is gentle and affectionate toward those with his own flesh and blood, particularly his children."

The above gravures are THE POOL-APACHE and APACHE GAUN

"They were always known as 'wild' Indians, and indeed their early warfare with all neighboring tribes as well as their recent persistent hostility toward our Government, which precipitated a 'war of extermination,' bear out the appropriateness of the designation."

"The mescal harvest occurs in the season of new life and growth, when the call from the wild is strong in the blood, and like a class of children-for they are but grown-up children-they pour out into the wilds. From the camp where they have passed the winter they take to the trails which lead to the mescal hills."

The above gravures are APACHE MEDICINE MAN and NALIN LAGE

"All of the worldly possessions of the Apache woman are packed on a horse which she and her children have ridden. The mother, with the youngest in their arms, first clambers down, followed by a little girl four years of age; she then removes the blankets that cover the pack, then the burden basket containing her cooking utensils, next the water bottle, and from across the saddle seat the large rawhide carryall that contains the family supplies and extra clothing."

"The graphic art of the Apaches finds expression chiefly in ceremonial paintings on deerskin, and in basketry."