Cochise: The Early Years

Regarding Cochise’s birth and early years we know little. Apache culture never spoke the name of the dead, and even in life the use of a personal name was done judiciously as it implied an obligation or duty to the caller of the name. It’s these customs that make it difficult to trace genealogy. Cochise’s mother remains completely unknown; his father may have been Pisago Cabezon, according to Edwin R. Sweeney, and I defer to his scholarship. Pisago was head of the Chokonen band of Chiricahua Apaches. The Chokonen band was the least known of the Chiricahuas.  It was not until Michael Steck negotiated with Cochise in the late 50’s and the Butterfield Station was built at Apache Pass that the Pindah became aware of the Chokonens as a separate band. Cochise was probably born in 1810 at a time of relative peace between the Apaches and the Spanish/Mexicans. The peace lasted until the late 20’s, unraveling because of Mexican Independence in 1824, and growing American presence in Texas. He went by “Cheis”, Apache for the “mighty oak”, which was a perfect metaphor as it embraced both his physical stature and his spiritual prowess. Cochise was the eldest child flanked by two brothers: Coyuntura and Juan. He was closest to Coyuntura who acted as confident and sounding board for his reflections. Juan was the comic who made everyone laugh. Cochise too had a sister who was one of the few who ever dreamt of challenging him. Tradition had it that Cochise came from a “royal blood line”, his family leading the Chokonens for generations. This “royalty” manifested itself in his physical stature. Cochise was nearly 6 foot tall, unusual for Apaches, had an eagle like face, Black eyes, very handsome by most reports, impeccably clean/dressed, with a slight stoop from a Comanche arrow. He was psychologically imposing with incredible gravitas /presence. Cochise was known for his word and would never tolerate anyone breaking his word even to the point of killing Apaches who did so. Cochise’s status was augmented by his close relationship with Mangas Coloradas, known as Red Sleeves, who was his father-in-law. Mangas was the dominant Chiricahua leader until his treacherous death under a flag of peace in 1862. Mangas was born a Bedonkohes who later married into the Red Paint band of Chihennes whose land bordered Cochise’s with Silver City, Santa Lucia Springs and Mimbres Mountains its heartland. (Cf., Sweeney, MC, p. 70) In the early 40’s, Cochise married Dos–teh-she, refer to as Opal, named for a stone that does not burn, one of Mangas three beautiful daughters by his Mexican wife Carmen She gave Cochise two sons: Taza in1844, Naiche in 1856. Cochise also had two daughters, Dash-den-zhoos and Naithlotonz, by his second wife perhaps Yones, who was the wife of Coyuntura his dead brother who was hung at Apache Pass in1861. (Cf., Sweeney, C, p. 142.)

As a young boy, chosen for leadership, Cochise was subject to a rigorous curriculum that was spiritual, social and physical. In the Apache world it was usually the wife’s family that educated the children. In Cochise’s case, however, it was his father, Pisago Cabezon, along with trusted lieutenants and sage medicine man/healer, who acted as primary teachers and mentors. To tap into the “Power” of Ussen, Cheis was exposed to different sacred ceremonies and leaders who would assist him to unleash these energies, and provide him with the skills and wisdom to lead his people successfully including sweats, vision quest, the warrior novitiate and role mentoring of others. The Sweat was essentially a purification ceremony in which Cochise and others would purge themselves of their fears/doubts by returning to Mother Earth and allowing the medicine of earth, water, fire and air work their healing mystery upon them. Throughout his life Cochise was drawn to the transforming power of Sweats especially with Coyuntura and later Tom Jeffords. The Vision Quest was a four day ritual, conducted under the guidance of a medicine man, in which an Apache, alone would go out on a hill for four days/nights, without food/water and implore Ussen to provide insight into direction and purpose. Coming down from the hill, Cochise would share his experiences with his mentor who would interpret the dreams, his altered states of consciousness, and the animal messengers who appeared on the hill. Cochise was told that he would never be killed by bullets/arrows although his body carried many scars from wounds he received from Mexicans, American and Indians. Warrior training was design to enhance the prowess of the mind and the five senses as well as to sharpen eye/hand coordination, to increase stamina/ agility, and the ability to tolerate pain. As youngsters, Cochise and his brother Juan and Coyuntura wrestled, had sling shot battles, played hoop and arrow, and learned to run ten miles with a mouthful of water and return without dropping a single drop. To toughen themselves they occasionally would burn each other’s skin to harden their response to physical pain. Cochise and his brothers similarly learned the art of making arrows, stringing bows and shooting arrows, so effortlessly that an Apache could release four arrows before a Mexican/American could reload their muskets. It was only after the appearance of the repeating rifles in the 1850’s that the advantages of the Apache bow was offset by the Winchester, Henry, or the Spencer. Cochise’s weapon of choice was the spear of which he was master and often took into battle. Before becoming a warrior Cochise had to go through a novitiate of four raids. These four raids represented a rite of passage for him into manhood, in which as an aspiring warrior he was mentored, but was not allowed to take part in actual combat. Instead Cochise learned the art of working as part of a raiding team by taking care of the horses, gathering wood, being quiet, mastering a special vocabulary, and  eating lightly as strict behaviors to inculcate humility, patience and discipline. Upon successfully completing the fourth raid Cochise was admitted into the ranks of a warrior by Pisago Cabezon. (Opler, Apache, pp.134-39.) Lastly Cochise had excellent Chokonens leaders to model including his father Pisago Cabezon, and later Miguel Narbona, who was captured by the Mexicans, and then escaped  back to his Band, and in the 40’s rose as leader of the Chokonens until his death in 1856 paved the way for Cochise’s dominance.(Cf, Sweeney, C, pp.406-07). Mangas Coloradas presence was particularly influential. From Mangas, Cochise learned diplomacy, to take a larger view, and to act carefully and strategically.