The Mescalero Apache Tribe, a vibrant and resilient community, holds a significant place in the history and culture of the American Southwest. Historically, the Mescalero Apache formed a part of the groups known as the Faraones and Vaqueros during the Spanish colonial period. Their traditional territory spanned a vast area between the Rio Grande and the Pecos River in present-day New Mexico, extending eastward into the Staked Plains and southward into Coahuila, Mexico. This expansive range reflects their nomadic lifestyle and their deep connection to the land.
Origins and Identity
The name "Mescalero" is derived from "mescal," a crucial food source obtained from the agave, or century plant. This plant was a staple in their diet, providing sustenance and playing a vital role in their cultural practices. The term "Apache" itself originates from the Zuni word "Apachu," meaning "enemy," a testament to the complex and often fraught relationships between the Apache people and other tribes and settlers.
The Mescalero Apache people traditionally refer to themselves as Ndee, which translates to "the People," underscoring their strong sense of identity and community. This name reflects a deep connection to their heritage and a commitment to preserving their cultural traditions.
Traditional Territory and Way of Life
The traditional territory of the Mescalero Apache encompassed a diverse landscape, ranging from the arid plains to the rugged mountains of the Southwest. Their principal range was between the Rio Grande and the Pecos River in New Mexico, but it extended also into the Staked plains and southward into Coahuila, Mexico. They were highly mobile, adapting their lifestyle to the seasonal availability of resources. They traditionally lived from east of the Rio Grande to the Pecos and beyond to the west Texas plains.
As skilled hunters and gatherers, they relied on the abundant resources of their environment. Hunting provided essential protein, while gathering provided a variety of plant-based foods. The agave plant was particularly important, providing not only food but also fibers for clothing, baskets, and other essential items.
Social and Political Organization
Traditionally, the Mescalero Apache operated with a decentralized social structure, lacking a single, overarching political authority. Their society was based on kinship and local groups, typically consisting of no more than 30 extended families. These groups were united by a shared territory, language, and culture. Leadership within these groups was based on personal qualities, such as bravery, persuasiveness, and knowledge of traditional ceremonies. Decisions were made through consensus, and the leader’s primary role was to maintain harmony within the group. The most traditional people in each tribe have had little to say about their own affairs, as the most heavily acculturated and educated mixed-blood factions have dominated tribal affairs in these foreign imposed systems.
The Mescalero Apache never formed a unified political nation. Their culture emphasized independence and self-reliance, with each family group operating autonomously. This decentralized structure made it difficult for external powers, such as the Spanish, Mexicans, and Americans, to negotiate or establish authority over the entire Apache people.
Women held a central position in Mescalero Apache society. Residence was matrilocal, meaning that a married couple would live with the wife’s family. Society was also organized into matrilineal clans, further emphasizing the importance of women in the social structure. The Mescalero Apache valued honesty, respect for elders, and clearly defined gender roles. Women were responsible for gathering food, building homes, caring for children, and crafting essential items. Men were responsible for hunting, raiding, warfare, and providing for their families.
History and Encounters with External Powers
The history of the Mescalero Apache is marked by encounters with various external powers, including the Spanish, Mexicans, and Americans. Contact with the Spanish in the 16th century brought horses, which transformed their way of life. The Mescalero Apache became skilled horsemen and used their newfound mobility for hunting, raiding, and trade.
However, the relationship with the Spanish was often fraught with conflict. The Spanish practice of selling captured Apaches into slavery led to retaliation and increased hostility. After Mexico gained independence in 1821, the Mexican government placed a bounty on Apache scalps, further escalating the cycle of violence.
Following the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), the Mescalero Apache found themselves under the control of the United States. Initially, they hoped for an alliance, but they were soon disillusioned by the American policy of "pacification." The influx of miners, farmers, and settlers led to increased competition for land and resources, further straining relations.
In the 1860s, the U.S. government forced the Mescalero Apache onto reservations, including the infamous Bosque Redondo. This experiment in forced assimilation was a disaster, marked by overcrowding, disease, and starvation. The Mescalero Apache eventually escaped and returned to their traditional lands.
In 1873, the U.S. government established a permanent reservation for the Mescalero Apache in southeastern New Mexico, surrounding the Sierra Blanca Mountains. However, this land was insufficient for their traditional way of life, and the tribe faced continued challenges, including disease, white encroachment, and violence.
The Mescalero Reservation Today
Today, the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation is a federally recognized tribe, governing themselves under a constitution adopted in 1934. They obtained title to the reservation in 1922. The reservation is located in southeastern New Mexico and encompasses approximately 460,000 acres of land. It is home to a diverse community of Mescalero, Chiricahua, and Lipan Apaches. Intermarriage has tended to blur the distinction between the once-separate tribes on the Mescalero Reservation.
The tribal government plays a crucial role in providing services and programs to its members, including healthcare, education, housing, and economic development. The tribe has successfully diversified its economy, with key industries including logging, cattle ranching, and tourism.
The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino is a major economic engine for the tribe, attracting visitors from around the world. The resort features a luxury hotel, golf course, casino, and various recreational activities. Ski Apache, another tribal enterprise, offers skiing and snowboarding opportunities in the winter months.
The Mescalero Apache Tribe has also faced challenges in recent years, including high unemployment rates and debates over controversial projects, such as the proposed nuclear waste storage facility. However, the tribe remains committed to preserving its cultural heritage and promoting the well-being of its members.
Culture and Traditions
The Mescalero Apache Tribe has preserved many of its traditional cultural practices, including language, ceremonies, and arts and crafts. Up to three-quarters of the people still speak Apache, although the dialect is more Mescalero than Chiricahua or Lipan. The written Apache language is also taught in reservation schools. Traditional arts included fine basketry, pottery, and tanned hides.
The tribe’s annual celebration on July 1-4 is a vibrant display of Apache culture, featuring traditional dances, rodeos, and other events. The girls’ puberty ceremony, a four-day rite of passage, remains an important tradition for young women in the tribe.
Religion and Spiritual Beliefs
Apache religion is based on a complex mythology and features numerous deities. Most deities are seen as personifications of natural forces. The sun is the greatest source of power. Culture heroes, like White-Painted Woman and her son, Child of the Water, also figure highly, as do protective mountain spirits (ga’an). Apaches believe that since other living things were once people, we are merely following in the footsteps of those who have gone before.
Supernatural power is both the goal and the medium of most Apache ceremonialism. The ultimate goal of supernatural power was to facilitate the maintenance of spiritual strength and balance in a world of conflicting forces. Apaches recognize two categories of rites: personal/shamanistic and long-life.
While some members have adopted Christianity, many continue to practice traditional Apache religion, which emphasizes a deep connection to the natural world and the power of spirits.
The Enduring Legacy of the Mescalero Apache Tribe
The Mescalero Apache Tribe has a rich and complex history, marked by resilience, adaptation, and a deep commitment to their cultural heritage. Despite facing numerous challenges, including colonization, forced relocation, and cultural assimilation, the Mescalero Apache Tribe has persevered and continues to thrive as a sovereign nation.
The Mescalero Apache Tribe‘s story is a testament to the strength and endurance of the Apache people and their ongoing struggle to preserve their identity and way of life. As they navigate the challenges of the 21st century, the Mescalero Apache Tribe remains a vital and vibrant community, contributing to the rich tapestry of American culture.