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***[ADAPTING TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT]{.underline}***

***[BACKGROUND INFORMATION]{.underline}***

**[Becoming an Apache Warrior]{.underline}**

The training for an Apache boy to become a warrior was long and
difficult. An Apache boy spent his first seven or eight years with other
children, both boys and girls, helping his mother. It was during this
time that he learned moral conduct, hard work and respect for the work
of his mother and other women in the tribe.

When a boy turned eight or nine, he was no longer allowed to play with
the girls. He began to spend more time with his father and other male
tribal members. Boys learned how to use the bow and arrow and to hunt
small animals. Their games became more competitive and often rougher.
During these games, such as wrestling and ambush games, they learned
about and tested the ways of the warrior. One such game was to raid a
wasp\'s nest. The boys would plan their strategy and attack an active
nest, often with a parent or relative observing. Adults would not
intervene, letting them learn the hard way, often with multiple stings.
Praise was given if they were successful.

Each morning, summer and winter, started with a cold bath, sometimes in
an ice-covered stream. They believed that the cold would make the heart
strong and help them with the shock of fear. This belief also led to
rolling in the snow or putting it under

their armpits until it melted.

Running was a daily activity that encouraged stamina. Apache boys were
often required to run with their mouths full of water or to carry a
stone in their hand. The distance they had to run increased with age and
ability.

![](media/image3.emf){width="4.0784722222222225in"
height="2.952777777777778in"}Boys were also required to undergo mental
training, memorizing the names of plants and animals, the location of
rocks, trees, holes and other features. Patience and self-control were
learned by spending hours stalking and getting close to deer.

When a boy felt ready, usually when sixteen years of age, he could
volunteer to become a *dikome* or apprentice. Taking a new name, he
joined a raiding party. Although the danger to which he was exposed was
limited, he could acquire the experience that would let him successfully
participate in the hazards of war.

His first lesson was to be instructed in conduct. It was believed that
if a boy proved to be unreliable, immoral or disobedient, he would
remain that way throughout his life. Therefore the novice had to be
particularly careful during his apprenticeship.

Strict rules were enforced on the novice. He could never turn around
quickly to look behind himself. He must glance over his shoulder first.
If he didn't, bad luck would come to the party. He was not allowed to
eat warm food. If the food needed to be cooked, then he must wait for it
to get cold before eating. He was cautioned to not overeat, and was
forbidden from eating the best meat for fear that he would become a
glutton. He had to be very discreet and should not laugh at anyone, no
matter how funny the situation. He was not to talk with any warrior
except in response to a question, or when told to speak. He must stay
awake until he was told to lie down, for to fall asleep before the
others would show contempt and cause all other members to be drowsy.
Above all, an apprentice needed to show courage, bear all hardships and
do what he was told. All without complaining!

**[Life as a Spanish Soldier]{.underline}**
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In contrast to the Apache's early training, most Spanish soldiers did
not usually begin their training until shortly before or after they were
in the military. Of course, as in many cultures, wrestling, hunting and
playing war were common boyhood activities.

The expectations for a Spanish soldier were very different from that of
an Apache warrior. Soldiers, along with their families, lived at a
*presidio*, or fort community, when not out on a campaign. Training
included physical hand-to-hand combat, horsemanship and weaponry. An
officer would also learn about strategic planning and management.

A young man could become a soldier through several means. If he had the
right connections through family or friends, he might become a *cadete*,
which was like an apprentice. He then lived with the commanding
officer's family and received personal training from the commander. If a
young man or his family had money, allowing him to show up at the
*presidio* with all the required equipment and livestock, he would
probably be accepted as a soldier. Young men without money first joined
the militia as a volunteer to get experience, while continuing to save
his money by working on a ranch or at some other employment until he had
enough money to buy the horses and equipment he needed.

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Every presidial soldier was required by Spanish law to have and use the
following:

-   1 broad sword (1 lb.)

-   1 lance with a metal head, 13½ inches long and 1½ inches wide (1
    lb.)

-   1 cartridge box with belt and bandolier (1/2 lb.)

-   1 shield, composed of three layers of bullhide, 20 inches high by 40
    inches across (5 - 10 lbs.)

-   1 *escopeta*, or musket (8 lbs.)

-   2 pistols, no more than 10 inches long (2 lbs. total)

-   1 set of *armas*, basically a tanned cow hide that was carried over
    the lap to protect the legs of the rider and shoulders of the horse
    from cactus, etc. (10 lbs.)

-   1 set of *botas*, which protected the legs from the knees down (1
    lbs.)

-   Boots and spurs (5 lbs.)

-   1 *vaquero* saddle with wooden stirrups and *mochila* (10-15 lbs.)

-   Saddle blanket (3 lbs.)

-   Saddle bags (2 lbs.)

-   Three pounds of gunpowder (although they probably carried no more
    than a pound of it with them on a given campaign)

-   Six horses, one colt, and one mule

Inspections were once a month. Each soldier was expected to keep his
equipment clean and repaired. Each soldier was required to keep one
horse tethered, saddled, fed and watered day and night to be ready for
instant action in case of surprise Apache attacks.

> ***[ACTIVITY]{.underline}***

**[Part I: Discussion]{.underline}**

\- Discuss the Apaches' lifestyle and how they adapted to their natural
environment. Using the **Background Information**, discuss with the
students what it was like to grow up to be an Apache warrior. Continue
the discussion based on the Spanish military lifestyle. Contrast the two
styles. If you were to stage a fight between the two groups, both
wearing their traditional clothing, which group do the student\'s
believe might win? Why?

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**[Part II: Training]{.underline}**

\- As a demonstration of part of a young Apache's training, take your
students outside and have each of them take a mouthful of water without
swallowing it. Next have them run a specified distance and back, all the
while retaining the water in their mouth. Discuss the results. In
contrast, march in drill formation to demonstrate Spanish training.

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**Part III: The Apache Advantage**

\- Divide the class into two teams, one to represent the Apaches and the
other the Spanish. The Apaches usually traveled light and often wore
only a breechcloth, carrying little. The Apache team participants,
therefore, may run the race in their regular or gym clothes. The Spanish
soldiers, on the other hand, had to wear a heavy protective leather vest
and a uniform. Hence, as a handicap, Spanish team participants, need to
race wearing heavy daypacks.

\- Conduct a relay race, Apaches vs. Spanish. Who won? Which group was
better adapted to running? Why?

**Part VI: The Spanish Advantage**

Redo the race, adding the element of weaponry. Select half of the the
Spanish team members and ask them to stand along the track where the
students will race. Give each of this group a soft pillows, ball, etc.
Explain that these objects will represent weapons and that they have one
chance to throw it at the Apache runners during the race. Any runner
they hit, Apache or Spanish, are out of the race.

What was the result of the second race? Were the results much different?
Why? Who had the advantage?

**[Part V: Summary Discussion]{.underline}**

\- Discuss: In what ways were each of the two groups successful at
warfare? Which technique was best and why? If you were alive at the time
of Father Kino would you rather be an Apache or a Spanish Soldier? Why?
Do you think either group helped or hurt the environment in which they
lived? How? Did one group have more impact on the environment? Which
one? Why?

*(The Apaches' ability to travel lightly, physical stamina and use of
gorilla warfare tactics gave them a distinct advantage over their
enemies. So much so that they were able to defeat or elude conquest by
opponent tribes, the Spanish and later the Anglo-Americans. In the Santa
Cruz Valley, the Apache's success resulted in Tubac and the surrounding
area being abandoned at least three times. Needless to say, the
population always remained fairly small. Consequently, the overall
impact on the environment was also low, and the river and surrounding
areas remained relatively untouched until Geronimo's surrender in 1886.
What might have happened to the environment if the Apaches had not been
there?)*