Term Paper: The Apache Culture
Apache Indian Research Paper
Apache, that very name struck unforgiving fear in the minds of settlers and tribes throughout the Great Plains and the southwest. Fierce Apache warriors were quick to learn the tactics of their enemies and use it against them. Not only were the Apache cheated by the Americans, but the Spanish (which arrived in 1541) as well. Apache culture is rich with tradition and conflict just like the land they once roamed.
Apache Culture
The Apache people arrived in 850 A.D from Canada to settle the plains and southwest. The word Apache is believed to be derived from a Zuni word meaning “enemy”. Athabscan, which originated in northwestern Canada ,is the main language of the Apache. Apache are divided into 6 different groups Bedonkohe, Chieahen, Chihenne, Apache Chokonen, Nedni and the White Mountain Apache(“Apache History”). All of the Apache tribes are a roaming people and are always on the move. At times they built villages for several months but they never stayed in one location for long. One reason the Apache moved around so much is because they were searching for food and supplies when the seasons …show more content…
changed.The Apache exchanged animal hide and foods with their neighboring tribes just like we do at the farmers market.
Many Apache traded animal skins and baskets for food and supplies they would need for whatever season they were in. A lot of the time the Apache tribes went their own way, moving from camp to camp in pursuit of deer and buffalo. When not pursuing animal hide they would collect roots and berries, sometimes planting seeds that they later returned to harvest and possibly sell or trade. Not all Apache traded with their surrounding tribes, they also fought them. The tradition even lives today, when we trade with one neighboring nation and fight with the other.
The Apache were a very strong and deadly people. It was said that a single Apache warrior could run 50 miles without stopping. Their legendary battle tactics were all about surprise and ambush. Apache warriors mostly raided European settlers and other tribes throughout their territory. If a Apache warrior was killed in a skirmish or raid the surviving tribe fought for vengeance over their fallen. Apache became a very feared tribe to the Pueblo and later the Spanish, Mexican settlers and Americans. In the late 1800’s one U.S. general who had fought the Apache meant it as a grudging complement when he described the Apache as “tigers of the human species”(“Apache History”). The Apache tactics are the same tactics many gorilla/terrorists use today.
Like many of the Indian tribes throughout North America, the Apache were also put on reservations.
The Apache didn’t go down without a fight. One of the most famous and fearsome warriors of the Apache is none other than Geronimo. Geronimo first fought against the newly established Mexican settlers (after they claimed their independence from Spain), and then later the new comers from the United States. Geronimo’s defeat ended the Apache hostilities and their way of life. Geronimo and his warrior band were sent to Fort Sill where he died in 1909. After the death of Geronimo things started to change on the reservation. All of the Apache children were taken unwillingly from their families and sent to boarding schools where they were given new names and learned English. At that point in time the Apache lost their way of life
forever.
Apache Environment
Apache history is far and vast, just like their environment and living space. The Apache lived in what is now the American Southwest. From Nebraska to Mexico and from Texas to Arizona.The area is rough land with many mountains and deserts. The territory the Apache once roamed they called their homeland. Some tribes had farms where they would plant and harvest crops. Each Apache Tribe traveled all throughout their homeland in search of food, water and good weather (Behnke 7).
Apache homes were built from materials they either had to gather or hunt for. If the weather was nice the Apache would build small villages for several months each year. The Apache that lived in the eastern prairie lands used Buffalo and deer hide to construct their tipis. Buffalo and deer were a main source of building material because of there vast quantities. The rugged Apache that lived in the west didn 't have boundless quantities of deer and buffalo. However, they did have plentiful amounts bear grass, rocks and mud to construct their gowa houses.
The Apache have a long and rich history and culture that was full of freedom, happiness and bloodshed. The Apache way of life ended when the United States and Spain occupied their territory just like the rest of the Native Americans throughout North America. Learning more about the ways of the Apache can really change your point of view about their hardships and suffering. Knowing their history still preserves their ways of life forever.
Bibliography
“Apache History” . impurplehawk.com, 27 Oct. 2008. Web. 22 Oct 2011
.
Behnke. The Apache. Minneapolis, Lerner Publication, 2007. United States
Redish, Laura. "Facts for kids: Apache Indians.” native-languages.org. N.p., 27 Oct.
2011.Web. 22 Oct 2011 .
Apache, that very name struck unforgiving fear in the minds of settlers and tribes throughout the Great Plains and the southwest. Fierce Apache warriors were quick to learn the tactics of their enemies and use it against them. Not only were the Apache cheated by the Americans, but the Spanish (which arrived in 1541) as well. Apache culture is rich with tradition and conflict just like the land they once roamed.
Apache Culture
The Apache people arrived in 850 A.D from Canada to settle the plains and southwest. The word Apache is believed to be derived from a Zuni word meaning “enemy”. Athabscan, which originated in northwestern Canada ,is the main language of the Apache. Apache are divided into 6 different groups Bedonkohe, Chieahen, Chihenne, Apache Chokonen, Nedni and the White Mountain Apache(“Apache History”). All of the Apache tribes are a roaming people and are always on the move. At times they built villages for several months but they never stayed in one location for long. One reason the Apache moved around so much is because they were searching for food and supplies when the seasons …show more content…
changed.The Apache exchanged animal hide and foods with their neighboring tribes just like we do at the farmers market.
Many Apache traded animal skins and baskets for food and supplies they would need for whatever season they were in. A lot of the time the Apache tribes went their own way, moving from camp to camp in pursuit of deer and buffalo. When not pursuing animal hide they would collect roots and berries, sometimes planting seeds that they later returned to harvest and possibly sell or trade. Not all Apache traded with their surrounding tribes, they also fought them. The tradition even lives today, when we trade with one neighboring nation and fight with the other.
The Apache were a very strong and deadly people. It was said that a single Apache warrior could run 50 miles without stopping. Their legendary battle tactics were all about surprise and ambush. Apache warriors mostly raided European settlers and other tribes throughout their territory. If a Apache warrior was killed in a skirmish or raid the surviving tribe fought for vengeance over their fallen. Apache became a very feared tribe to the Pueblo and later the Spanish, Mexican settlers and Americans. In the late 1800’s one U.S. general who had fought the Apache meant it as a grudging complement when he described the Apache as “tigers of the human species”(“Apache History”). The Apache tactics are the same tactics many gorilla/terrorists use today.
Like many of the Indian tribes throughout North America, the Apache were also put on reservations.
The Apache didn’t go down without a fight. One of the most famous and fearsome warriors of the Apache is none other than Geronimo. Geronimo first fought against the newly established Mexican settlers (after they claimed their independence from Spain), and then later the new comers from the United States. Geronimo’s defeat ended the Apache hostilities and their way of life. Geronimo and his warrior band were sent to Fort Sill where he died in 1909. After the death of Geronimo things started to change on the reservation. All of the Apache children were taken unwillingly from their families and sent to boarding schools where they were given new names and learned English. At that point in time the Apache lost their way of life
forever.
Apache Environment
Apache history is far and vast, just like their environment and living space. The Apache lived in what is now the American Southwest. From Nebraska to Mexico and from Texas to Arizona.The area is rough land with many mountains and deserts. The territory the Apache once roamed they called their homeland. Some tribes had farms where they would plant and harvest crops. Each Apache Tribe traveled all throughout their homeland in search of food, water and good weather (Behnke 7).
Apache homes were built from materials they either had to gather or hunt for. If the weather was nice the Apache would build small villages for several months each year. The Apache that lived in the eastern prairie lands used Buffalo and deer hide to construct their tipis. Buffalo and deer were a main source of building material because of there vast quantities. The rugged Apache that lived in the west didn 't have boundless quantities of deer and buffalo. However, they did have plentiful amounts bear grass, rocks and mud to construct their gowa houses.
The Apache have a long and rich history and culture that was full of freedom, happiness and bloodshed. The Apache way of life ended when the United States and Spain occupied their territory just like the rest of the Native Americans throughout North America. Learning more about the ways of the Apache can really change your point of view about their hardships and suffering. Knowing their history still preserves their ways of life forever.
Bibliography
“Apache History” . impurplehawk.com, 27 Oct. 2008. Web. 22 Oct 2011
.
Behnke. The Apache. Minneapolis, Lerner Publication, 2007. United States
Redish, Laura. "Facts for kids: Apache Indians.” native-languages.org. N.p., 27 Oct.
2011.Web. 22 Oct 2011 .