Origins of the Apache Indians
The story of the Apache people is steeped in rich oral tradition, passed down through generations, offering insights into their worldview, values, and understanding of their place in the cosmos. One particular narrative, recounted in "Geronimo: His Own Story" by S.M. Barrett (1905), provides a compelling account of the origins of the Apache Indians, a tale woven with elements of creation, conflict, and the triumph of good over evil. This narrative, more than just a simple story, acts as a foundational myth, shaping the identity and spiritual understanding of the Apache people.
The narrative opens with a primordial world cloaked in impenetrable darkness. The sun, the moon, and the stars were absent, leaving the earth in a state of perpetual night. This darkness was not empty, however. It teemed with life, both familiar and terrifying. Creatures of all kinds roamed the land, from common animals like lions, tigers, wolves, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, rats, and mice, to monstrous beings, hideous and nameless, and fearsome dragons. The presence of these creatures posed a grave threat to humanity, particularly to the vulnerable offspring of human beings. The monsters and serpents preyed upon the children, preventing mankind from flourishing. In this perilous environment, survival was a constant struggle.
A key aspect of this primordial world was the power of speech and reason possessed by all creatures. Animals weren’t merely instinct-driven; they were intelligent beings capable of thought, communication, and even political organization. They were divided into two main factions: the birds, also known as the feathered tribe, and the beasts. The eagle, a symbol of strength, vision, and wisdom, served as the chief of the bird tribe.
The birds and beasts often convened in councils to discuss matters of importance. A major point of contention between the two groups was the issue of light. The birds advocated for the introduction of light into the world, recognizing its necessity for the well-being and prosperity of all living things. The beasts, however, vehemently opposed the idea, clinging to the darkness for reasons not explicitly stated but implied to be rooted in their inherently malevolent nature.
The disagreement over light eventually escalated into open warfare. The beasts, wielding crude clubs, found themselves outmatched by the birds, who had been taught the art of archery by their leader, the eagle. The birds’ superior weaponry and tactical advantage allowed them to inflict significant losses on the beastly forces. However, certain creatures proved particularly difficult to defeat. The serpents, known for their cunning and wisdom, were elusive and resilient. One serpent, seeking refuge, transformed its eyes into a brilliant stone that remains embedded in a cliff in present-day Arizona, a testament to the ancient conflict. The bears, when killed, would multiply, creating an endless cycle of regeneration. The dragon, protected by four layers of impenetrable scales, was immune to the birds’ arrows.
The tide of the war turned when the eagle devised a strategy to defeat one of the most formidable monsters. He soared high into the sky, carrying a round, white stone. From his vantage point, he dropped the stone onto the monster’s head, crushing it instantly. This act of bravery and ingenuity earned the stone the designation of "sacred," and it became a symbol of the birds’ power and righteousness.
After a long and arduous struggle, the birds emerged victorious. Though some malevolent creatures remained, the birds gained control of the councils and finally ushered light into the world. This marked a turning point in the history of humanity, allowing mankind to live and prosper. The eagle, as the leader of the victorious feathered tribe, was honored for his role in bringing about this new era. His feathers became emblems of wisdom, justice, and power, worn by humans as a symbol of respect and admiration. This marked the end of the first chapter of Origins of the Apache Indians.
Amidst the newly illuminated world, a human woman, burdened by tragedy, found herself struggling to survive. She had borne many children, but the beasts had always preyed upon them, extinguishing their lives before they could mature. The dragon, in particular, was her nemesis, relentlessly seeking out and devouring her offspring.
After years of sorrow and loss, the woman conceived a son, believed to be a child of the rainstorm. Determined to protect him from the fate of his siblings, she constructed a secret hiding place – a deep cave concealed beneath a campfire. Each day, she would remove the fire, descend into the cave to nurse and care for her son, and then carefully rebuild the fire to conceal his presence.
Despite her efforts, the dragon eventually discovered the child’s existence. He saw the boy’s footprints and, enraged by the woman’s deception, threatened to kill her if she did not reveal his hiding place. The woman was torn between her love for her son and her fear of the dragon’s power.
As the boy grew older, he longed to explore the world beyond the cave. He expressed his desire to go hunting, but his mother, fearing for his safety, refused to grant him permission. She warned him of the dangers that lurked in the shadows – the dragon, the wolves, and the serpents. However, the boy remained resolute, declaring that he would go hunting the next day.
At the boy’s request, his uncle, the only other man alive, crafted a small bow and arrows for him. The following day, the boy and his uncle ventured into the mountains in search of game. After a long and arduous trek, the boy successfully hunted and killed a buck. His uncle taught him how to dress the deer and prepare the meat for cooking.
As they were broiling two hindquarters of the deer, the fearsome dragon suddenly appeared. The uncle was paralyzed with fear, unable to speak or move, but the boy remained calm and unafraid. The dragon seized the boy’s portion of the meat and declared his intention to eat both the venison and the boy himself. The boy, however, refused to be intimidated. He boldly retrieved his meat and challenged the dragon to a fight.
The dragon, amused by the boy’s courage, agreed to the challenge. They devised a contest of skill and bravery. The dragon would have four shots at the boy with his bow and arrows, after which they would exchange places, and the boy would have four shots at the dragon.
The dragon, wielding a massive bow made from a pine tree and arrows crafted from young pine saplings, took aim at the boy. But each time the dragon released an arrow, the boy emitted a peculiar sound and leaped into the air, causing the arrow to shatter into splinters. He would then reappear, standing atop a bright rainbow, defying the dragon’s power. This cycle repeated four times, with the boy evading each of the dragon’s attacks.
Now it was the boy’s turn. The boy shot an arrow, striking the dragon just over the heart, causing one of his horny scales to fall to the ground. With the next shot, another scale fell, and then another, finally exposing the dragon’s heart. The dragon, weakened and vulnerable, trembled but could not move. Before the fourth arrow was shot, the boy shouted to his uncle "Uncle, you are dumb with fear; you have not moved; come here, or the dragon will fall on you". His uncle ran toward him. He then released the fourth arrow with deadly accuracy, piercing the dragon’s heart. The dragon, with a tremendous roar, tumbled down the mountainside, his body shattering into fragments.
Immediately, storm clouds gathered, lightning flashed, thunder rolled, and rain poured down. When the storm subsided, the remnants of the dragon’s body lay scattered among the rocks in the canyon below. According to the legend, the bones of this dragon can still be found there. The final chapter of the Origins of the Apache Indians began to unfold.
This brave boy was named Apache. Usen, the creator, taught him the secrets of herbs for medicine, the skills of hunting, and the art of fighting. Apache became the first chief of the Indians and wore the eagle’s feathers as a symbol of justice, wisdom, and power. Usen bestowed upon Apache and his people a home in the lands of the West, establishing their ancestral connection to the region. This is how Origins of the Apache Indians occurred according to the Apache. This legend offers a glimpse into the cultural and spiritual Origins of the Apache Indians.