The Apache are a family of related peoples of the southwestern United States and the southern Plains: the Western Apache, Chiricahua, Mescalero, Jicarilla, Lipan and Plains Apache. There has never been a single Apache government. Today eight federally recognized tribes trace their roots to the Apache world: the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, the Tonto Apache Tribe and the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Mescalero Apache Tribe in New Mexico, and the Fort Sill Apache Tribe and the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma in Oklahoma. Their languages belong to the Southern Athabaskan family, the same family as Navajo. Many Apache people call themselves Ndee, Ndeh or a close variant, depending on the community, and "Apache" is an outside name often traced to a word meaning "enemy." American Indian COC, Apache Tribes: History, Bands and Where Apache Live Today

Ways of life differed with the land. The Western Apache farmed along Arizona's rivers, the Mescalero and Chiricahua lived in mountain and desert country, and the Lipan and Plains Apache hunted buffalo on horseback. Most scholars place the Apache move south from the far north between 1300 and 1500, though the timing is debated, and the Apaches' own stories place their ancestors on the Plains as early as the ninth century. American Indian COC, Apache Tribes: History, Bands and Where Apache Live Today; Encyclopedia of the Great Plains, Apaches

This page describes Apache deities, heroes, creatures, ceremonies and beliefs. Names, stories and practice differ between communities, and the page says so where a source is specific to one group.

Apache Crown Dancers performing at the Apache Jii Day festival in Globe, Arizona.
Apache Crown Dancers performing at the Apache Jii Day festival in Globe, Arizona. StellarD · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.

Beliefs

Apache beliefs emphasize the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment. Land and belief are tied together in specific, documented ways. Among the Western Apache, the anthropologist Keith Basso found that stories are anchored to named places: ancestors gave the landscape hundreds of descriptive place-names, and a speaker can recall a story, and the lesson in it, by naming the spot where it happened. The Western Apache call the practice of using such a story to correct or advise someone "shooting with stories." Wikipedia, Western Apache language Many Apache people also hold particular places sacred. Oak Flat in Arizona's Tonto National Forest, which sits above a large copper deposit, has been the subject of religious-freedom lawsuits over a proposed mine. American Indian COC, Apache Tribes: History, Bands and Where Apache Live Today

The Apache also believe in the concept of "power" or "diyin," which is inherent in all things. This power can be obtained or transferred through rituals, visions, or by the aid of spiritual beings. By acquiring power, individuals can gain knowledge, healing, and protection.

Mythology

Apache mythology is maintained by stories passed down through generations via oral tradition. They include stories of origins and migration: traditional Chiricahua and Mescalero stories describe a movement onto the Plains. Encyclopedia of the Great Plains, Apaches Western Apache historical stories are tied to named places and are told to teach right conduct. Wikipedia, Western Apache language The figures who appear in the stories, such as White Painted Woman and her sons, are described below.

Deities

The most significant deities in Apache mythology are:

  • Usen: The Creator, also known as "Life Giver" or "Great Spirit." Usen is responsible for the creation of the world, the people, and all living things. He is often depicted as a wise and benevolent figure.

  • White Painted Woman: Also known as "Changing Woman" or "Esdzanadehe," she is a central figure in Apache mythology. White Painted Woman embodies the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature. She is also responsible for initiating young girls into womanhood through the Sunrise Dance, a puberty ceremony.

  • Child of Water: A hero and culture-bringer, Child of Water is a central figure in the Apache creation story. Born of the union between White Painted Woman and the Sun, he is a warrior who battles various mythological creatures, including the Owl Man Giant and the Giant Elk.

Heroes and Mythological Creatures

Apache mythology is populated by various heroes and mythological creatures that play significant roles in their stories. Some noteworthy examples include:

  • Killer of Enemies: A great warrior and hero, Killer of Enemies is the twin brother of Child of Water. He helps his brother in battles against malevolent beings and teaches the Apache people essential survival skills.

  • Owl Man Giant: A malevolent figure in Apache mythology, Owl Man Giant is a cannibalistic creature that preys on humans. In the creation story, he is defeated by Child of Water and Killer of Enemies.

  • Gaan (Ga'an): The Mountain Spirits, who are embodied by the masked Crown Dancers (see Rituals below). They are not a trickster figure.

Rituals

Apache rituals often involve prayers, songs, dances, and the use of sacred objects. Some important Apache rituals include:

  • The Sunrise Dance: A coming-of-age ceremony for young Apache girls, symbolizing their transition into womanhood. The ritual, which lasts for four days, honors White Painted Woman and seeks her blessings for fertility and a healthy life.

  • The Crown Dance: Also known as the "Devil Dance" or "Ga'an Dance," this ritual involves masked dancers representing the powerful mountain spirits called "Ga'an." The Crown Dance seeks protection, blessings, and guidance from these spirits for the well-being of the community.

  • The Sweat Lodge Ceremony: A purification ritual aimed at cleansing both the physical and spiritual aspects of a person. Participants enter a small, enclosed structure where water is poured over heated rocks, creating steam. The ceremony involves prayers, songs, and introspection, allowing individuals to release negative energies and seek spiritual renewal.

  • The Blessing Way: A ritual performed to ensure good fortune, health, and protection. The Blessing Way is typically conducted during significant life events such as births, marriages, or the start of a new endeavor. The ritual involves prayers, songs, and the use of sacred objects like pollen, cornmeal, and eagle feathers to invoke blessings from the spiritual world.

Other Beliefs

Apache belief includes the concept of the "four sacred colors." These colors – black, white, yellow, and blue-green – represent the cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west), seasons, and various aspects of life. The colors are often incorporated into rituals, ceremonies, and art to symbolize balance and harmony.

Another distinctive belief is the importance of dreams and visions in Apache culture. Dreams are considered a means of communication between the physical and spiritual worlds, often providing guidance, insight, and prophetic messages. Dreams can also be a source of power, as individuals who receive significant visions may be recognized as spiritual leaders within their community.