The Medicine-Men of the Apache. (1892 N 09 / 1887-1888 (pages 443-604))

In this carefully compiled study, a former cavalry officer shares the insights he gathered over two decades among the Apache and neighboring peoples. Drawing on direct observation and personal encounters, he paints a vivid picture of the medicine‑men’s place within tribal life, their authority, and the ways they blend healing with ritual.

The narrative delves into the distinctive clothing, jewelry, and sacred objects that surround these spiritual specialists, describing everything from scar‑shirts and bone necklaces to the intricate corded amulets used in ceremonies. Illustrated throughout, the work compares Apache practices with those of the Pueblo, Zuni, and other nations, highlighting both shared motifs and unique traditions. Readers hear anecdotes of how ailments were diagnosed, the role of prayer and superstition, and the delicate balance between medicine and warfare.

Beyond its ethnographic detail, the book offers a rare window into a culture at a pivotal moment of contact with the expanding United States. Listeners interested in frontier history, indigenous spirituality, or the anthropology of healing will find this account both informative and compelling.