Apache History
Apache Indians have a long history. In this time and day the Apaches live in some urban areas such as New York City, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Phoenix, Denver, San Diego and Los Angeles. Several thousand Apachean tribes live in the Southern California agricultural regions, and the Colorado River valleys. There are also many still living on reservations in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
The language spoken by the Apachean peoples is related to the Athabaskan speakers of Alaska and Western Canada. The term Apache excludes the related Navajo people. When combining the Apache and Navajo people, they are called Apachean. These native americans tribes speak seven different languages so there was little unity between them.
Conflict with Spaniards
Apachean tribes were very powerful, always battling with the Spaniards and Mexicans for many centuries. Even the U.S. Army said they were fierce and clever strategists.
Apaches of today include the Jicarilla and Mescalero of New Mexico, the Western of Arizona, the Lipan of Texas, the Plains of Oklahoma and the Chiricahua of the New Mexico-Arizona border. The Western Apaches are the only ones living within Arizona.
During the Mexican American War, Apache bands had promised our US soldiers passage through their lands. When the former territories of Mexico were claimed by the US in 1846, Mangas Coloradas, (principal chief and war leader to lead raids against Mexico), signed a peace treaty considering the US as conquerers of Mexico’s land. This peace treaty held fast until the gold rush times of the 1850’s which led to more conflict between the Apache and Americans.
Apache’s Defeat
The final defeat of the Apaches, according to American historians, occurred when troops forced Geronimo’s band of only 30 – 50 men, women and children to surrender in 1886. After the war, white Americans in special programs had taken Apache children home for adoption.
Native American Indian Dances
One of the Apache’s ceremonial dances is called The Sunrise Dance. It is to celebrate the Apache woman’s entrance into puberty. On the day before the ceremony, A sweat bath is taken by the girl and is atended by male relatives. Then the medicine man is assisted to make ritual paraphernalia. Later in the evening of this same day, the girl dances in her special costume.
One the morning of the ceremony, two or three of the girl’s male relatives make some preparations that are required for the ceremoney. Then the ceremonial dance can begin. There are eight Phases to the dance. The first Phase starts with the girl dancing on the buckskin with her companian. The last Phase 8, is when the girl steps off the buckskin and throws a blanket in each direction. This ends the ceremoney.
Another Apache Ceremonial Dance is called the Apache Devil Dance. They dance with clowns, masks, headdresses and they jumped over fire. This dance was performed to keep the devil away. Another dance was the spirited war dance in which they used weapons and began shooting in time to the music.
Tags: Apache Indians, Native American Indian Dances —