Why contests mattered
In small, mobile communities, a gathering was a chance to see relatives, exchange news and share food. Games and races were part of that social fabric. They gave people a way to enjoy one another’s company, to compare skills in a friendly setting, and to practice abilities that had practical use. Different Apache nations had their own occasions and customs, so there was no single calendar of games for “the Apache.”
Published accounts, mostly early to mid twentieth-century ethnographic notes, report that games were commonly played at larger gatherings, including family reunions, ceremonial occasions and seasonal events. Descriptions are often brief and from a limited number of speakers, so details should be treated as examples.
Races and endurance
Running was highly valued in several Apache groups. Chiricahua and Mescalero accounts in particular describe running as part of conditioning for boys and young men, and footraces appear as both training and entertainment. The ability to run long distances over rough ground was useful in hunting, travel and emergencies, and it earned respect.
Races are also described in connection with some public events. In some Mescalero and Western Apache communities, running forms part of the Apache coming-of-age ceremonies for girls, where it has meaning within the ceremony and is not simply a sport. Because these are sacred events, this article does not describe them further.
Horse racing became part of social life in groups that kept horses, such as the Mescalero, Jicarilla and Plains Apache, as horses spread through the Southwest and southern Plains after Spanish colonization. The Plains Apache, who lived among and alongside Kiowa and Comanche communities, shared some customs with their neighbors, so one should be careful about attributing a given practice to one group alone.
Games of skill and chance
Several games are documented across Apache communities:
- Hoop-and-pole games, in which players throw or shoot poles at a rolling hoop or target, are reported for a number of Apache groups and for many other Native nations.
- Hand games or guessing games, in which one team hides an object and another tries to guess its location, accompanied by songs, are widespread across North America. Apache versions are reported, with variations in rules.
- Stick or dice games, using marked sticks or similar pieces thrown like dice, are reported as pastimes, often played by women or by men in separate groups depending on the community.
Betting on such games is mentioned in ethnographic sources, typically with goods rather than money, and it was part of the social excitement. Because gambling can cause hardship, and because it is a sensitive subject in some communities today, it is best described plainly and without encouragement. Outcomes in games of chance are uncertain by nature, and this article does not suggest any approach to winning.
Training and teaching
For young people, watching and joining contests was a way to learn. Archery, throwing, running, wrestling and horsemanship were practiced informally and in friendly competition. These activities overlapped with the skills that boys were expected to develop, such as those needed for Apache hunting, but play was not the same as preparation for war, and it would be a mistake to read every game as military drill. Girls’ and women’s games also existed, and in many communities women took part in games at gatherings.
Contests also taught social lessons: how to win without boasting, how to lose gracefully, and how to follow shared rules. Observers have noted that humor and teasing accompanied many games, and that the audience was often as involved as the players.
Change over time
With reservations, schools and new sports, patterns of play changed. Rodeo, baseball, basketball and track have long been popular in many Apache communities, and public events such as fairs and powwows include contests and social dances. Some nations and cultural programs also keep traditional games alive as heritage activities for young people. The details vary, and anyone wanting to attend or learn should check the relevant nation’s official website and follow guidelines about visitors.
Reading sources carefully
Much of the record on Apache games was written by outside observers. It may omit women’s activities, misunderstand rules, or generalize from one family to a whole nation. Wherever possible, it is best to look for work by Apache authors and for sources naming the specific group being described.