Friday, March 25, 2011

Origins of Apache/Migration./Destination/Bands

 Over the last two weeks I have been writing about the Canadian origins of the Apaches, tracing their migration to  the southwest, and discussing how they  received the name "Apache", Pueblo word for "stranger" or"enemy", whereas they saw themselves simply as "Tinneh" or the "People". They finally settled in southwest Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and because of geography they established different Bands. The Chiricahuas were a western group consisting of 4 Bands one of which was led by Cochise. The name Chiricahua means "Mountains of Wild Turkeys" as they were essentially people of the Mountains. Cochise's territory, southeastern Arizona, encompassed about 7000 square miles centering on Dragoon/Chiricahua Mountains which provided him great protection and were his respective Strong holds. The Chiricahuas/Dragoon Mountains were the meeting point of three major eco systems: Rockies,Sierra Madres and Sonorian Desert. Landscape was very important to Apaches.Legend has it that all Apaches came from Whitesands New Mexico where White Painted Lady was miraculously saved in Abalone Shell after  a great flood.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Trapped At Fronteras/ July 1858

Today I discussed Cochise's defeat at Fronteras in 1858 during Moon of Ripening. Though cautious, Cochise nevertheless took a calculated gamble only to have it blow up in his face leading to the death of several Chokonen warrior leaders as well as the capture of women and children who ended up in slavery. Cochise, the cunning leader that he was, although having a retreat plan nevertheless misjudged the situation as Sonora Officials were redoubling their efforts against the Apaches and used the ruse of peace and  mescal to trap his Band.  Mescal/alcohol were a form of chemical warfare used by the Mexicans to weaken the drunken Apaches in order to rob, slay ot kill them. The Apaches had a genetic weakness to alcohol and alcohol became part of the war between the two peoples as was scalp taking and bounty hunting which had been initiated by the Mexicans.