Subdivisions of the Apache Tribe
Subdivisions of the Apache Tribe as explained by Geronimo
Source: As Told By Geronimo, Public Domain Document
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.
Victorio, their chief, 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,
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 the Apaches 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?
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East of us lived the Chi-hen-ne (Ojo Caliente),
(Hot Springs) Apaches. Our tribe never had any
difficulty with them. 