The Apache tribes were the last to be pacified by the United States Army military and forced onto reservations in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s.
Apache is the collective term for several culturally-related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States.
These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan (Apachean) language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan speakers of Alaska and western Canada.
Apache, current usage generally includes six of the seven major, traditional, Apachean-speaking groups: Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, Plains Apache, and Western Apache. Historically, the term has also been used for Comanches, Mohaves, Hualapais, and Yavapais.
As a former infantryman I suppose what intrigues me most about the Apache was their practice and art of war.
For the Apache, particularly among the men, their earliest memories often times revolves around their playing hide and go seek among the rocks and cottonwood trees of New Mexico/Arizona. Where they practiced the art of stealth and sneaking up on one another and hiding from each other.
In the early days, the Apache were renowned for their skills and prowess in unconventional war. They were experts in the bow and arrow, knife, speak, war club and sling. They were also expert hunters.
Running was also essential for the Apache way of life and they worked at it relentlessly. Some of the elders I talked to tell of when the young warriors would run more than 10 miles at a time, up mountains carrying water or pebbles in their mouths, which they would spit out at the end of the run. This exercise taught them discipline, tenacity and more importantly perhaps how to breath through their nose.
See related video: Geronimo – We shall remain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQTYtsEOh_I
Evert aspect of Apache learning and training in the art of war were systematic in their approach. From shooting, ducking, dodging, hiding, running, tracking, hiding, learning to map their surroundings in their minds, remembering geographic features to navigating rivers, gorges and ravines – it was all done for purpose of making them better warriors.
It was said that before an Apache could be considered a full fledged warrior he had to participate in at least four raids on enemy encampments. On the fifth raid he could actually participate in stealing horses, property, women ad engaging the enemy in mortal combat.
The Apache were some of the most feared Indian tribes in Americas.
Today there legacy lives on in their culture and beliefs. What also made the Apache a formidable enemy on the battlefield was his strong personal and religious spiritual beliefs.
“Power is everywhere. It lives in everything. It might be known through a word or come in the shape of an animal. We all have power but some tap into different rooms. Power speaks to those who listen. The greatest thing a person can have in Apache belief is power!” Apache Medicine Man 1889
See article: Geronimo had a mystical vision that gave him power on the battlefield https://groundreport.com/geronimo-had-a-mystical-vision-that-gave-him-power-on-the-battlefield/
See related article: Learning the ways of the Apache https://groundreport.com/learning-the-ways-of-the-apache/