One of our investigators gave us a pamphlet on the Mescalero Indians. He said it tells the real history of his people. So I thought you might like to read about them.
Hundreds of years ago, long before the white men came to this land, these mountains, plains and deserts belonged to the Mescalero Apaches. No other Native Americans in the Southwest caused the terror and constant fear in the settlers as the Apaches did throughout their existence. They raided Spanish, Mexican and American settlers, and were nown to be expert guerilla fighters who defended their homelands. The Mescalero were essentially nomaic hunters and warriors, dwelling at one place for a temporary time in brush shelter known as w "wicki up"; short rounded dwellings made of twigs or teepees made of elk hides and buffalo hides. The Mescalero roamed freely throughout the Southwest including Texas, Arizona, Chihuahua, Mexico and Sonora Mexico.
Today three sub-tribes, Mescalero, Lipan and Chiricahua make up the Mescalero Apache Tribe. We live on this reservation of 463,000 acres of what once was the heartland of our people's aboriginal homelands.
Some of the early Apache War Chiefs were: Geronimo (1829-1909. Mangas Coloradas (1797-1862. Victorio (around 1825 - 1880) One of the members in our branch is related to him. Lozen, sister to Chief Victorio late 1840's - 1886. Chochise (? - 1874)
Within our homeland lie the four sacred mountains: Sierra Blanca, Guadalupe Mountains, Three Sisters Mountain and Oscura Mountain Peak. These four mountains represent the direction of everyday life for our Apache people.
Our grandparents would often speak of a place called White Mountain. It was there that the creator gave us life and it is a special place. It was on White Mountain, according to legend, that White Painted Woman gave birth to two sons, Child of Water and Killer of Enemies. Tey were born during a turbulent rainstorm when thunder and lightning came from the sky.
Giant Monsters who wanted to kill them feared White Painted Woman and her sons, who she raised to be brave and skilled. When they grew up to be men, they rose up and killed the monsters of the earth. There was peace and all human beings were saved.
Apache Warriors hunted buffalo on the grassy plains. They hunted antelope on the prariers and deer in the mountains. They killed only what they needed for their immediate use. Their weapons were simple, but the men were swift and cunning hunters.
The Apache women were skillful providers. They could find water where others would die of thirst. They parepared meat and skins brought home by the men. While the men hunted, the women gathered wild plants, foods, nuts and seeds. They picked fruit and berries, dug roots and harvested the plants.
Apache people gathered the sweet fruit of the broad-leafed Yucca and pounded its roots in water to make suds for shampoo. The Apache women prepared a staple food from the heart of the Mescal Plant. That is why the Spanish called the people "Mescalero" the peole who eat Mescal.
Apach people were kind to their children. They taught them good manners, kindness, fortitude and obedience. The children would play games that improved their dexterity.
Traditional Apache religion was based on the belief in the supernatural and the power of nature. Nature explained everything in life for the Apache people.
White Painted Woamn gave our people their virtues of pleasnat life and longevity. Apache Relgion, expressed in poetic terms, has passed from generation to generation. This is the background and the heritage of our people, the Mescalero Apaches.
We have found the traditional belief of the Apache to be earth related too. They all believe we worship the same God - the God of nature.
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