Geronimo His Own Story
Part I: The Apaches
Part II: The Mexicans
Part III: The White Men
Part IV: The Old And The New
Part I: The Apaches
Subdivisions of the Apache Tribe
The Apache Indians are divided into six sub tribes. To one of these,
the Be-don-ko-he, I belong.
Our tribe inhabited that region of mountainous country which lies
west from the east line of Arizona, and south from the head waters
of the Gila River.
East of us lived the Chi-hen-ne (Ojo Caliente), (Hot Springs) Apaches.
Our tribe never had any difficulty with them. Victoria, their chief
(first portrait), was always a friend to me. He always helped our
tribe when we asked him for help. He lost his life in the defense
of the rights of his people. He was a good man and a brave warrior.
His son Charlie now lives here in this reservation with us.
North of us lived the White Mountain Apaches. They were not always
on the best of terms with our tribe, yet we seldom had any war with
them. I knew their chief, Hash-ka-ai-la, personally, and I considered
him a good warrior.
Their range was next to that of the Navajo Indians, who were not
of the same blood as the Apaches. We held councils with all Apache
tribes, but never with the Navajo Indians. However, we traded with
them and sometimes visited them.
To the west of our country ranged the Chi-e-a-hen Apaches. They
had two chiefs within my time, Co-si-to and Co-da-hoo-yah. They
were friendly, but not intimate with our tribe.
South of us lived the Cho-kon-en (Chiricahua) Apaches, whose chief
in the old days was Cochise (second portrait), and later his son,
Naiche. This tribe was always on the most friendly terms with us.
We were often in camp and on the trail together. Naiche, Who was
my companion in arms, is now my companion in bondage.
To the south and west of us lived the Ned-ni Apaches. Their chief
was Whoa, called by the Mexicans Capitan Whoa They were our firm
friends. The land of this tribe lies partly in Old Mexico and partly
in Arizona. Whoa and I often camped and fought side by side as brothers.
My enemies were his enemies, my friends his friends. He is dead
now, but his son Asa is interpreting this story for me.
Still the four tribes (Bedonkohe, Chokonen, Chihenne, and Nedni),
who were fast friends in the days of freedom, cling together as
they decrease in number. Only the destruction of all our people
would dissolve our bonds of friendship.
We are vanishing from the earth, yet I cannot think we are useless
or Usen would not have created us. He created all tribes of men
and certainly had a righteous purpose in creating each.
For each tribe of men Usen created He also made a home. In the
land created for any particular tribe. He placed whatever would
be best for the welfare of that tribe.
Usen created the Apaches He also created their homes in the West.
He gave to them such grain, fruits, and game as they needed to eat.
To restore their health when disease attacked them He made many
different herbs to grow. He taught them where to find these herbs,
and how to prepare them for medicine. He gave them a pleasant climate
and all they needed for clothing and shelter was at hand.
Thus it was in the beginning: the Apaches and their homes each
created for the other by Usen himself. When they are taken from
these homes they sicken and die. How long will it be until it is
said, there are no Apaches?
Next Page - Early life
Previous Page - Origin of the Apache Indians
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Native American Legends A-B