GERONIMO

Geronimo - The Indian Warrior

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Early Life1

Adulthood and Family Massacre2

The flip side of Geronimo3

Achievements3

Career3

Escape from Prison5

Public Appearances5

Conclusion6

References7

Geronimo - The Indian Warrior

Introduction

Geronimo means “one who yawns”. The name itself suggests that the Indian warrior was laid back. Geronimo was the leader of Chiricahua Apaches and was very famous throughout native America for fighting to cease the intrusion upon apache lands by Mexican and American soldiers. He and his band of natives were completely against America's control over the Western territories. He was born in the state of Arizona in 1829. At the time when Geronimo was born this state was a part of Mexico. His parents, Tablishim and Juana, home schooled him in their traditional Apache way. Geronimo had three children with his Apache wife, Ta-ayz-slat.

The apache Indian became a warrior when their camp was attacked by Colonel Jose Maria Carrasco and his 400 soldiers in 1851. What raged the Apaches was the fact that their camps got attacked during the day time when men were away for work and women and children got hurt badly. Geronimo went to his chief Cochise for justice and retribution against the Mexicans. From there he became famous for his fights against Americans and Mexicans. His escape from captivation also become much talked of and discussed period of his life (Adams, 1971).

Early Life

Geronimo's family tree stems from Eastern Chiricahua Native Americans. He was a Bedonkohe Apache. His grandfather, Mahko, was a notable leader among the Bedonkohe Apache. Geronimo's mother told him tales of the bravery of his grandfather and related to him ancient history. He learnt shooting bow and arrow from his father and uncle. They also taught him to run at top speed and catch a horse. His grandfather became his role model and he inspired him for his sagacity, huge size and unmatched strength.

Geronimo's behavior was the result of his interpretations of the stories he heard from his mother as a child. He grew up seeing the male members of his tribe go off for battles with the enemy. Between 1820s and 1830s, he witnessed war first hand.

Historians have placed a lot of emphasis on the influence the stories Geronimo heard from his mother on his psyche and behavior. It is said that he was a very good listener and listened to specific stories about strengths and weaknesses of his ancestors with great interest. He would ask many questions about their philosophy and their power in the battles they fought. He was told that Ussen was their supreme God for all the Apaches and had blessed them with many gifts.

Adulthood and Family Massacre

The Sonora state in Mexico, in 1835, passed a law that for every apache scalp the hunter would be rewarded 100 pesos. Another state Chihuahua joined the bandwagon and offered greater reward for women and children scalps. In fighting against this law, Geronimo made a lifelong friend Nednai.

Peace was restored by early 1850s. The apache men left a few guards with their women ...