Lozen

1848-1898

Lozen was born into the Chihenne, Warm Springs Apache band, during the late 1840's in a section of New Mexico/Arizona/Northern Mexico known at that time as Apacheria. She was the sister of mighty Warm Springs Chief Victorio, and the most famous of the Apache War Women. She let it be known at a very early age that she had no interest in learning the women's duties of the tribe, and set out on the warrior's path - taught by her famous brother. She learned to ride a horse at age seven and soon became one of the best riders in the band. She loved the rough games of the boys. All of the girls of the band started hard physical training at the age of 8. Their physical endurance would be necessary to survive the harsh way of life they lived. A few women went on raids or with hunting parties to take care of chores and of their husbands.

At her puberty ceremony, Lozen was given the power to find the enemy which she did by going alone to a deserted spot. She would stand with her arms outstretched and her open palms heavenward, chanting a prayer [to Ussen], and slowly turning around:

Upon this earth
On which we live
Ussen has Power
This Power is mine
For locating the enemy
I search for that Enemy
Which only Ussen the Great
Can show to me.

As she prayed, she turned until she felt a tingling in her palms and knew that she had found the direction of the enemy. She could tell the distance of the enemy by the intensity of the tingling. In addition to her considerable skill as a warrior, Lozen was also a skilled reconnaissance scout and clever battle strategist. She took part in warrior's ceremonies, sang war songs, and directed the dances of the war parties before going into battle

Lozen was quite unlike her counterpart, Dahteste. Lozen had no concern for her appearance and, even though she is in several famous photos of Geronimo with his warriors, there is nothing to indicate that she is a woman. You would never spot her. She was very manly in her appearance, dressed like a man, lived and fought like a man. She never married, and devoted her life to the service of her people. She was the only Apcahe woman allowed to ride in a war as a warrior without a husband at her side.

Victorio is quoted as saying, "Lozen is my right hand . . . strong as a man , braver than most, and cunning in strategy, Lozen is a shield to her people."

Legend has it that Lozen powers helped each Band that she accompanied to successfully avoid capture. No Band was ever caught unguarded when Lozen was riding with them. At Tres Castillos she had been sent out on a mission when her brother died. After Victorio's death, Lozen continued to ride with Chief Nana, and eventually joined forces with Geronimo's band, eluding capture until she finally surrendered with this last group of free Apaches in 1886. She died of tuberculosis at the Mount Vernon Barracks in Mobile, Alabama at the approximate age of 50.