The name is a misnomer because it refers to several tribes that are collectively referred to as “Apache.” Among them you’ll find the Kiowa, Mescalero, Jicarilla, Chiricahua and Lipan. The bands sustained themselves by conducting raids on settled pueblo tribes, Mexican villages and encroaching American settlers. The American settlers were often immigrants with a strong contingent of German, Polish and French people. Interestingly, tales of Apache fierceness so captured the collective French mind that Parisian gangsters at the time received the nickname “Apache.”
MANY LEGENDARY warriors were members of the Apache, including Cochise, Nana, Victorio, Juh and Geronimo. Unusual for many Indian tribes was that Apache women were often warriors, too. In fact, there are many tales of their exploits, particularly those of the fierce Lozen, sister of Victorio.
Admittedly,…
