Mescarlero Apache

Mescalero Apache Reservation

Horse Thief, Mescalero Apache Indian

The Mescalero Apache Reservation, established in 1873-1874, spans 474,240 acres in New Mexico, characterized by rugged terrain unsuitable for extensive agriculture. The Mescalero Apache community, numbering 513 in 1890, primarily relies on government rations, supplemented by limited agriculture and livestock. Cultural practices include traditional marriage customs and a notable adherence to superstitions. Educational efforts face challenges due to parental resistance, although some children show promise. The integration of western medical practices is improving health conditions, while community dynamics reflect a blend of traditional and modern influences.

Mescalero Apache Tribe

The Mescalero Apache Tribe, known for their consumption of mescal, occupied regions between the Rio Grande and Pecos in New Mexico, extending into northern Mexico. Unlike their more warlike counterparts in Arizona, they were organized into bands, each led by a chief. Historical accounts list divisions such as Nataina, Tuetinini, and Tsihlinainde. By 1905, they inhabited a 474,240-acre reservation established in 1873, with a population of approximately 460, including some Lipan Apache.