NOTES
FROM "THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN" BY EDWARD S. CURTIS
LOCATION: The Apache tribe occupied the
mountains and plains of southern Arizona and New Mexico, and also in Mexico.
DRESS: The primitive dress of the men was
deerskin shirt, leggings, and moccasins. They were never without a loin-cloth. A
deerskin cap with attractive symbolic ornamentation was worn. The women wore
short deerskin skirts and high boot top moccasins.
DWELLINGS: The Apache dwellings consisted of a
dome shaped frame of cottonwood or other poles, thatched with grass. The house
itself was termed,
"Kowa" and the grass thatch, "Pi".
RELIGION AND CEREMONIES: The ceremonies are
invariably called "dances." Among these are the rain dance, a puberty
right, a harvest and good crop dance, and a spirit dance. The Apache are
devoutly religious and pray on many occasions and in various ways. Recreated in
the human form, Apache spirits are supposed to dwell in a land of peace and
plenty, where there is neither disease or death.
QUOTES FROM "THE NORTH AMERICAN
INDIAN:" "Again, judging by the similarity in language, the Apache and
the Navaho in prehistoric times were as nearly a single group as the present
bands of Apache are; and, likewise, there is sufficient similarity in the
underlying principles of their mythology to argue a common tribal origin. ...for
the striking differences in the details of their myths would seem to indicate
that the tribal separation was not a recent one, and that the mythology of the
two tribes became changed in the course of its natural development along
different lines or through accretion of other peoples since since the original
segregation."
"The primitive Apache was a true nomad, a
wandering child of Nature, whose
birthright was a craving for the warpath with
courage and endurance probably exceeded by no other people and with cunning
beyond reckoning. Although his character is a strong mixture of courage and
ferocity, the Apache is gentle and affectionate toward those with his own flesh
and blood, particularly his children."
"They were always known as 'wild'
Indians, and indeed their early warfare with all neighboring tribes as well as
their recent persistent hostility toward our Government, which precipitated a
'war of extermination,' bear out the appropriateness of the designation."
"The mescal harvest occurs in the season
of new life and growth, when the call from the wild is strong in the blood, and
like a class of children-for they are but grown-up children-they pour out into
the wilds. From the camp where they have passed the winter they take to the
trails which lead to the mescal hills."
"All of the worldly possessions of the
Apache woman are packed on a horse which she and her children have ridden. The
mother, with the youngest in their arms, first clambers down, followed by a
little girl four years of age; she then removes the blankets that cover the
pack, then the burden basket containing her cooking utensils, next the water
bottle, and from across the saddle seat the large rawhide carryall that contains
the family supplies and extra clothing."
"The graphic art of the Apaches finds
expression chiefly in ceremonial paintings on deerskin, and in basketry."
