Features of the Apache Indians Prior to Colonization
Housing
All people in the Apache tribe lived in one of three types of houses. The first of which is the tepee, for those who lived in the plains. Another type of housing is the wickiup, wood held together with yucca fibers and covered in brush usually in the Apache groups in the highlands. If a family member lived in a wickiup and they died, the wickiup would be burned. The final housing is the hogan, an earthen structure in the desert area that was good for keeping cool in the hot weather of northern Mexico.
Hunting
Hunting was done mainly by men, although there were sometimes exceptions depending on animal and culture. Plains Apache hunters hunted primarily buffalo and deer. Other hunted animals were badgers, bears, beavers, fowls, geese, opossums, otters, rabbits and turtles. The most common hunting weapon before the introduction of European guns was the bow and arrow. Many hunting plans were used. Some methods involved using animal head masks worn as a disguise. Whistles were sometimes used to lure animals closer.
Clothing
Western Apaches wore animal hide decorated with seed beads for clothing. These beaded designs historically resembled that of the Great Basin Paiute and is characterized by linear patterning. Apache beaded clothing was bordered with narrow bands of glass seed beads in diagonal stripes of alternating colours. They made buckskin shirts, ponchos, skirts and moccasins and decorated them with colorful bead-work.
Religion
Certain animals are considered spiritually evil and inclined to cause sickness to humans: owls, snakes, bears, and coyotes. Many Apachean rituals use masked representations of religious spirits. Sand painting is an important ceremony in the Navajo, Western Apache, and Jicarilla traditions, in which shamans create brief, sacred art from coloured sands. Anthropologists believe the use of masks and sand paintings are examples of cultural diffusion from neighbouring Pueblo cultures. The Apaches participate in many spiritual dances, including the rain dance, dances for the crop and harvest, and a spirit dance. These dances were mostly for influencing the weather and enriching their food resources.
Housing
All people in the Apache tribe lived in one of three types of houses. The first of which is the tepee, for those who lived in the plains. Another type of housing is the wickiup, wood held together with yucca fibers and covered in brush usually in the Apache groups in the highlands. If a family member lived in a wickiup and they died, the wickiup would be burned. The final housing is the hogan, an earthen structure in the desert area that was good for keeping cool in the hot weather of northern Mexico.
Hunting
Hunting was done mainly by men, although there were sometimes exceptions depending on animal and culture. Plains Apache hunters hunted primarily buffalo and deer. Other hunted animals were badgers, bears, beavers, fowls, geese, opossums, otters, rabbits and turtles. The most common hunting weapon before the introduction of European guns was the bow and arrow. Many hunting plans were used. Some methods involved using animal head masks worn as a disguise. Whistles were sometimes used to lure animals closer.
Clothing
Western Apaches wore animal hide decorated with seed beads for clothing. These beaded designs historically resembled that of the Great Basin Paiute and is characterized by linear patterning. Apache beaded clothing was bordered with narrow bands of glass seed beads in diagonal stripes of alternating colours. They made buckskin shirts, ponchos, skirts and moccasins and decorated them with colorful bead-work.
Religion
Certain animals are considered spiritually evil and inclined to cause sickness to humans: owls, snakes, bears, and coyotes. Many Apachean rituals use masked representations of religious spirits. Sand painting is an important ceremony in the Navajo, Western Apache, and Jicarilla traditions, in which shamans create brief, sacred art from coloured sands. Anthropologists believe the use of masks and sand paintings are examples of cultural diffusion from neighbouring Pueblo cultures. The Apaches participate in many spiritual dances, including the rain dance, dances for the crop and harvest, and a spirit dance. These dances were mostly for influencing the weather and enriching their food resources.