Apache Spiritual Philosophy

Spiritual philosophy: For the Apaches there is two planes of existence: spiritual and material. Man is ultimately “spirit” experiencing a time/space journey and each life is vital and needs to be relished and sustained as long as possible. Apaches believed that everything in nature was an embodiment or reflection of an underlying spiritual energy: animals, trees, rocks, all were animated by deeper energy. The energy could either be light or dark and two-legged had to be aware of these differences. Because their world was essentially spiritual they observed innumerable rituals and taboos to influence the spirit world. For example, when harvesting mescal they offered prayers to the sun-source of fire-asking that the mescal be cooked properly. They feared lightening, the “Thunder People”, and never planted in a field struck by lightning. They believed that the flint use in construction of arrow tips came from the “Thunder People”. Similarly ceremonies were performed before a hunt or raid including a sweat, absence of salt, and the night before the hunt they gathered around the fire and sang, prayed, and offered sacrifices to the spirit of the deer, antelope with the expectation that the animal would voluntarily sacrifice itself so that the band could survive. Wolves, coyotes, and foxes were considered taboo; tricksters who could bring harm and needed to be avoided. The Apaches never eat fish seeing it as a taboo related to snakes/reptiles which were often very dangerous, especially at night in the desert. Traveling at night was avoided as much as a possible because of the danger posed by rattlesnakes.

Time for the Apaches was cyclical, with peaks and valleys, and followed the seasonal movement of spring, summer, fall and winter, as embodied in Medicine Wheel. The Medicine Wheel along with number 7 captured the totality of existence including 4 directions, Ussen and the “People.”The number 4 was especially sacred as it implied basic life pattern of birth/death/rebirth as well as capturing the 4 cardinal directions, east, south, west /north; 4 colors, black, yellow, red, white; 4 seasons, spring, summer, fall, winter; 4 elements, earth, air, fire, water); 4 ages, infancy, adolescence, adulthood, elderly; 4 conditions of man , physical, emotional, mental , spiritual. The Medicine Wheel was called upon in sleeping, healing, locating things, invoking rain, planting/harvesting and was helpful in resolving clan/band relationships. Above all else the Medicine Wheel captured the underlying natural unity/interconnectedness within the web of the Universe as it provided clues to re-connecting with “Ussen” by discovering/following the moral principles of the “Red/Spiritual Path” by which Apaches learn to master darker impulses of each direction or season by living in the “heart” freeing them from fear of bringing dishonor to their family. Cochise always emphasized the importance of truth, of speaking from the heart and prided himself in never lying. (Cf, Cochise speech, “I am Alone”). Drinking tiswin an Apache beer made from corn, excessively especially on an empty stomach, and or drinking stronger Pindah whiskey, was very destructive to the Apache lifestyle leading many away from the “Red Road” and to family quarrels, destructive fights, death and loss of face.

For the Chiricahuas the land was “Sacred” and “Dark”, it embodied subtle energies/wisdom, good/bad, for the People to learn from. The Dragoons/Chiricahuas protected the “People” from their enemies allowing them to see days in advance settlers or soldiers crossing Apacheria, protected them from bullets, offered acorns in winter, mescal in spring, saguaro fruit in the summer. Every rock, crevice, tree, stream held a story that was invaluable to survival and was a living testimony or school to learn from.  The Apaches believed in Mountain People or Spirits called “Gaan”. “Gaans” were sent to earth by “Life Giver” to teach the Apaches how to live peacefully and were healing spirits. Men in ceremonies wore masks like Hopi Kachinas to take on their power. Rituals involved song, prayer and dance. The dancers invoked “Gaan” power for healing; prophecy and ceremony. Any disturbance of the land could anger the “Gaan” leading to earthquakes and terrible lighting storms. Cochise gained inspiration and strength from the landscape. Nature/places always called him, providing insights and direction. Yet the land held bitter memories and energy. Apache Pass was one of the worse places for him as it was there that his brother Coyuntura under a white flag was hanged. The Chiricahuas believed that one could capture the deep wisdom of the “Rock People”   by sitting in silence contemplating the pre-historical figurines that dotted the Chiricahua Mountain landscape. These Rock formations existed before time and eerily held a deep truth about mysteries of life. They precipitated deep altered states of consciousness and they spoke to the listener. Cochise being contemplated by nature often sought their knowledge and direction. “Rock People”, too, played a significant role in Sweat Lodge Ceremony, which was another favorite of Cochise, as its purification/healing rites brought clarity and insight. “The Rock People”  were brought in hot and placed in a pit and then sprinkle with sage and water which allowed their healing properties to penetrate the circle of two legged who participated accompanied by song and smoke. The ceremony ended with bathing in a mountain creek or stream and drinking clear water.  Cochise often refreshed/renewed himself in spiritual ceremony of “Sweats” as they restored his energy and allowed him to make better decisions for the safety of his people.