The Apache

The Apache are a collection of six culturally linked tribes. The live in region of New Mexico. The Apache are said to have descended from the Athapaskan speaking people. The Apache languages are distantly related to the Athapaskan languages

The Apache were initially a nomadic people. The lived off the buffalo. They were famous for their fierce and warlike reputation which terrorised encroachers.

The first outsiders to intrude in the territory of the Apache were the Spanish in the 1500s. Hostilities broke out between the Apache and the Spanish. The hostilities reached a height in 1558 when the Spanish conquered New Mexico. Deprived of their food source, the Apache began raiding for food.

The Americans acquired New Mexico in 1848. Following this, there were fierce wars between the American army and the Apache. The Apache were gradually relegated to the reservations.

The Apache are a very religious people. The apache believed in a Supernatural power that pervaded the world. The indulged in shamanistic and other priestly rites to communicate with this force. They believe in supernatural beings called 'gans'.

Traditional Apache society was like all other tribal societies in the aspect of gender roles. The women were gatherers while the men were hunters. Polygamy was permitted. Present day Apache culture is a mixture of witchcraft and other tribal customs with contemporary American culture

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