The Apache people that lived in the southwest in the late 19th century had a very interesting way of life. They had specific beliefs and practices that they followed and passed down from generation to generation. From everyday life to special occasions, the apache had unique customs. Raising their young, learning to go on horse raids, marriage, divorce, death and burial were all taught by their elders and their parents to the newest generation. They were a very family oriented society, and their way of living reflected this in many ways.
Most Apaches were part of a smaller band of families that only united with their larger tribe for special occasions. They typically lived in tee pees that were easily set up and transported as they followed the herds of buffalo which they relied on for survival. Women were in charge of setting up the tee pee “averaging fourteen feet in diameter and large enough to house an average family of five to eight persons, it could be set up by a woman in less than fifteen minutes and taken down in three (Mails, 17).” They grouped themselves together by family and larger extended family. Unrelated families would live together in a local group or band that was large enough to sustain itself, and perform ceremonies. Each family had a head male and the most influential of these head males would gain enough respect and become the chief. The title was not inherited and could easily change if the people found someone else to be a better fit (Sturtevant, 369).
When marriage was to occur in Apache culture a man’s relatives usually gave gifts to the girl’s family first, and their elders consulted eachother about the choice. The people involved in the marriage were generally consulted and their opinions were respected. The man would join her family and agree to protect and serve them. He was to obey her parents and treat them with great respect. Often times wealthy men would take more than one wife. Because of the difficulties associated with joining the family, they would often be sisters (Sturtevant, 370). Divorce was allowed if a man was found to be cruel or lazy, but often if the woman was misbehaving her parents would discipline her in order to keep the man around to help out.
Women were in charge of gathering, children, the home, clothing, gathering fuel, and cooking, while the men were hunting and crafting weapons. There was much overlap however, and both men and women were capable of helping or actually performing a task when it needed to be done. For example the grandfather, maternal uncle, and father helped to raise the children and the men were capable of repairing clothing and cooking especially when they were out on the hunt or raiding (Sturtevant, 371). The Apache knew how to live off the land and use many of the plants that grew in the southwest. They collected plants to dry and store and fruits from cactus as well. They used things like mesquite and acorns to make flour for bread by grinding them down (Robinson, 167). They also collected wild sweet potatoes, onions and other things that grew on the plains. They were very choosy about the meats that they would eat. Their aversion to certain animals stemmed from the danger they believed that those animals carried with them. The women wove baskets to carry food and supplies in that were cured and preserved (Robinson, 170).
The care of the infant in Apache culture was a very particular practice. They had many rules and other traditions that had to be followed for the health of both the baby and the mother. Advice was given to the mother by elders in the tribe and was passed down and followed because they knew best. When caring for their infants they were very particular about the age that certain things can be done such as allowing the feet to be extended before the navel is healed (Metcalf, 21).” They were also very careful to make sure that the baby was comfortable at all times, and they used very soft blankets and hides to care for their baby. They carried their babies in an elaborate basketwork cradle that goes on their backs, and is decorated with many beads, flannel, and buckskin straps to hold the baby in (Bandelier, 88).” Many of the things such as diapers, baby powder and cradles were made by the mother from things in nature. They were also very particular about the procedures for things, and if one was to vary from these it was thought to cause illness. Very specific rules were followed to ensure the current baby as well as the next would be healthy and normal. Various ceremonies and remedies were used when a child was ill to restore their health. Every child also goes through a “ceremony of the earth which is a long-life ceremony (Metcalf, 25).” It is a baptism like ceremony that occurs exactly 4 days after the child’s birth and is considered a very important aspect of an infant’s life. This is also a time that the family and friends will come together and celebrate, and eat together (Metcalf, 25).
When a young man was of a certain age, he would be deemed ready to go on horse raids with the other men of the tribe. This was a very specific and orderly process that required great discipline and training. A young man would have the help of his entire family to get ready for the journey. It was guided by a leader that gave very strict orders to follow on the way to the horses, and during the actual raid. The event required meticulous planning for dances, rituals, and painting of their faces to get them ready to go. “Prior to raids and war missions, special dances and ceremonies were held to enlist the support of the supernatural (Chavis, 6).” It was a dangerous event that held the very real possibility that a man may not come home (Metcalf, 87). They raided to acquire goods, especially horses, not to have a confrontation, fighting was not the goal (Sturtevant, 375).
Men and women both served as shamans, herbalist and leaders of traditional ceremonies, and some were believed to have supernatural powers. “Our medicine men had healing herbs, but without the prayers and the faith in Ussen they were not effective (Robinson, 177).” They treated illnesses and wounds and had power from Ussen, their name for god. This power was utilized in rituals and procedures as well. Witchcraft was a feared form of power that came from using it for evil. It could cause long term illnesses. “Sickness and misfortune could also be caused by the anger of a deity or by failure to treat respectfully some personified natural force, such as lightning (Sturtevant, 373).” They also believe that there were animals that were dangerous to people if they were touched, smelled or even seen. Witchcraft was believed to be used to send the dangerous coyote, bear, owl, and snake to have encounters with people (Sturtevant, 373).
When an Apache death occurs it is a very serious matter. Death was not mentioned in normal conversation because it is very taboo. When a person died they wore specific clothes that showed that they were in mourning. Bothe males and females received equal attention when they died, and utmost respect was had in every situation.. They person that died was prepared for burial by dressing them in their best clothes and painting their face appropriately. They were buried with certain items that were important, and all of their other possessions were burned or destroyed, and no mementoes were kept. They did not want to be reminded of them, and for the same reason, the grave site was kept secret from all except those few that buried them. After the person was buried the people who handled them went through a special cleansing with “ghost medicine” (Metcalf, 152). They believed that after death everyone, good or bad, went to the underworld. They would continue their life at the same age with no pain or sorrow. They went through the same rituals and affairs, but everything was better. The believed that you entered through a hole in the earth which has a pile of sand that cannot be climbed back up (Metcalf, 153).
Overall the Apache were a very spiritual people that were deeply connected to nature. They had many traditions and beliefs that were passed down from generation to generation. They were a very family oriented society that stayed and traveled together throughout their lives. The way they were able to live off of the land and be successful in the plains was very impressive, and goes to show the value of traditions and listening to their elders.
Primary Sources
Bandelier, Adolph F., The Southwest Journals of Adolph F. Bandelier 1883-1884 , ed. Charles H. Lange and Carroll L. Riley (Albequerque: The University of New Mexico Press, 1970)
Metcalf, Richard P., The Native American People of the West. (West Haven: Pendulum Press Inc., 1973)
Robinson, Sherry, Apache Voices: Their Stories as told to Eve Ball (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2000)
Secondary Sources
Basso, Keith H., and Morris E. Opler, Apachean Culture History And Ethnology (Tuscon, Arizona: The University of Arizona Press, 1971)
Chavis, Ben, All-Indian Rodeo: ATransformation of Western Apache Tribal Warfare and Culture, Vol. 9, No. 1 (University of Minnesota Press: 1993)
Cuevas, Lou, Apache Legends: Songs of the Wind Dancer (Happy Camp, CA: Naturegraph Publishers, 1991)
Kessel, William B., White Mountain Apache Reflections, Journal of the Southwest, Vol. 47, No. 1(2005)
Mails, Thomas E., The Mystic Warriors of the Plains (New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1991)
Melody, Michael E., The Apache, Indians of North America Heritage Edition (Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2006)
Sturtevant, William C., Ed. Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 10. (Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institute, 1983)
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