The question of how many Apache sub-tribes were there and where were they located? is complex, owing to the fluid nature of tribal affiliations, historical record-keeping, and evolving anthropological understanding. The Apache, a collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans, historically occupied a vast territory encompassing present-day Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, western Texas, and northern Mexico. The Jicarilla Apache even extended their range into what is now Kansas. These lands, characterized by arid deserts, mountainous terrain, and expansive plains, shaped the Apache way of life and influenced the development of distinct regional variations within the broader Apachean culture.
The Apache are classified as belonging to the Southern Athapascan linguistic family, a testament to their ancestral connection to groups further north. While the exact origins of the Apache are debated, two main theories exist. One, often attributed to Anglo perspectives, posits a migration from Northern Canada southward around the 1500s. The opposing, and often preferred, view rooted in Apache oral tradition suggests a southward origin, with the majority of Athapascan speakers migrating north, leaving behind those who remained in their ancestral homelands. Regardless of the precise migratory path, by the end of the 1600s, an estimated 5,000 Apache people inhabited the Southwest.
The Apache did not constitute a single, unified political entity. Instead, they were organized into a number of regional groups, often referred to as sub-tribes. The number and classification of these sub-tribes can vary depending on the source and the criteria used for differentiation. However, it is generally accepted that the Apache are composed of six major regional groups: the Western Apache, Chiricahua, Mescalero, Jicarilla, Lipan, and Kiowa Apache (also known as the Plains Apache). Each of these sub-tribes occupied a distinct geographical region and developed unique cultural adaptations to their specific environment. The exploration of how many Apache sub-tribes were there and where were they located? demands a deeper dive into each of these groups.
Western Apache: Primarily located in eastern Arizona, the Western Apache encompassed a diverse collection of bands, including the White Mountain, Cibecue, San Carlos, and Northern and Southern Tonto. Their territory stretched across a landscape of mountains, canyons, and river valleys. Due to their nomadic tendencies and the fluidity of tribal affiliations, several names were often used to identify the same group, adding to the complexity of historical records.
Chiricahua: The Chiricahua Apache roamed southwestern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona, and adjacent areas of the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora. Their social structure revolved around the band, an informal political unit led by a headman. The band was typically composed of related families, forming a close-knit "relative group." The Chiricahua relied heavily on the mescal cactus for food, drink, and fiber, a resource that gave them their name, bestowed by the Spanish. Their dwellings consisted of dome-shaped wickiups constructed from brush. Like the Navajo, they held a deep respect for the natural world, viewing animals and insects as having once been human beings.
Mescalero: The Mescalero Apache primarily inhabited the region east of the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico, with the Pecos River marking their eastern boundary. They were also known as the Faraon, a term used historically by the Spanish to refer to various Apache groups in the region. The Mescalero, like the Chiricahua, depended on the mescal cactus as a staple food source.
Jicarilla: The Jicarilla Apache occupied southeastern Colorado, northern New Mexico, and northwestern Texas. During their peak in the Southwest, they were divided into two main divisions: the Llanero ("plains people") and the Hoyero ("mountain people"). The Llanero roamed the plains, while the Hoyero resided in the mountainous regions. Their eastern contacts led to the adoption of certain cultural traits from the Plains Indians. The name "Jicarilla" translates to "little basketmakers" in Spanish, reflecting their skill in crafting intricate baskets. Anthropologists believe that the Jicarilla migrated from Canada down the eastern flanks of the Rocky Mountains between 1300 and 1500 AD, although the Apache themselves dispute this migration theory.
Lipan: The Lipan Apache historically ranged across eastern New Mexico and Texas, extending southeastward towards the Gulf of Mexico. The relationships between the various Lipan bands are not entirely clear to anthropologists, and many Lipan bands are now located in Mexico. They were often referred to by the French term "Cancy" or "Chanze," derived from the Caddo name for the eastern Apache tribes.
Kiowa Apache (Plains Apache): The Kiowa Apache, also known as the Plains Apache, resided in Oklahoma alongside the Kiowa tribe, a distinct group speaking a Tanoan language. They are also known as Naisha or Na ishandine. These Apache adapted to the plains environment, adopting a nomadic lifestyle centered around buffalo hunting.
Understanding how many Apache sub-tribes were there and where were they located? requires recognizing the dynamic nature of Apachean societies. The concept of a "tribe" was not as rigidly defined as in some other cultures. Apachean identity was often based on shared language and cultural practices, rather than a centralized political structure. There was no single leader who commanded the allegiance of all Apache groups. In fact, different Apache groups often engaged in conflict with one another.
The Apache were further divided into bands, which were territorial units with distinct names and leadership. These bands were loose confederations of local groups comprised of extended families. The Chiricahua and Mescalero bands could consist of as many as 30 extended families, while Western Apache bands typically included two to six extended family units.
Furthermore, the Apache had clan systems, most notably among the Chiricahua and Jicarilla. Apache clans were not totemic and derived their names from natural features of the localities where they originated. Clans from different Apache tribes recognized their affiliation, and marriage within closely related clans was taboo.
The term "Apaches," as used today, generally encompasses six of the seven major traditional Apachean-speaking groups: Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, Plains Apache, and Western Apache. The seventh group, the Navajo, is now considered a separate tribe, though they share a common linguistic and ancestral heritage with the Apache.
Navigating the complex relationships between Apachean language divisions, tribes, bands, and clans can be challenging. Anthropological classifications are not always consistent, and historical records contain numerous spelling variations and references to the same groups. The diversity within the Apachean world reflects the adaptability and resilience of these people, who thrived in a harsh environment and maintained their cultural identity in the face of constant pressure from outside forces.
Today, there are federally recognized Apache tribes in Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. While some tribes are state-recognized, others are not recognized by any governmental entity, highlighting the ongoing struggle for recognition and sovereignty within the Apache community.
In conclusion, determining how many Apache sub-tribes were there and where were they located? is not a simple task. While six major regional groups are generally recognized, the internal organization of these groups into bands and clans, coupled with the fluidity of tribal affiliations, makes it difficult to provide a definitive answer. The Apache were not a monolithic entity but rather a diverse collection of peoples who shared a common language and cultural heritage, adapted to different environments, and maintained their unique identities within the larger Apachean world. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and enduring cultural strength.