Tanayia-- Whisper upon the Water, First Peoples Series
Prologue
1868
The Governor of New Mexico decreed that all Indian children over six be educated in the ways of the white man.
Indian Commissioner Thomas Morgan said, “It is cheaper to educate the Indians than to kill them.”
1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries
Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remain where the sagebrush is stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. A land made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reach out into silence.
A world of hunger and hardship. This is my world. I am Tanayia. I was born thirteen winters ago. We call ourselves N’dee, The People. The white man calls us Apache.
Chapter One
Only a soft light from the east lit the dirt path I soon would walk. I rose from my blanket and dressed in my favorite buckskins and moccasins. After combing my hair, I stepped from my wickiup and walked toward the center of camp. Women from neighboring Apache bands, dressed in their best clothing, squatted around their campfires, patting tortillas and fry bread. My relations traveled great distances to share my coming-of-age ceremony. I am proud and happy. I smile and call out my morning greeting, ya'atche."
"Many blessings, my child," several replied as I passed.
The sharp scent of crisp dough and the bitter scent of acorn stew floated in the cool air. My stomach grumbled in hunger. Large feasts, such as the one my people prepared today, are no longer common. Grandmother, Ligai Tlenaai- White Moon, however, remembers the long-ago days when her band feasted at each change of season. She told me of times when food was plentiful.....
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| Greeting the sun |
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| Preparing the feast |
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| Wickieup |
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| Chief Geronimo |
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| Native American Boarding School, 1890s |
There were certain things the Apache would not eat. It was taboo for the Apache to eat fish or waterfowl due to their fear water was associated with thunder. Eating bear meat was also considered taboo by most Apache groups.
Traditional foods are still eaten today, but as in all communities, modern fare is the norm.
Fry Bread Recipe
4 cups white flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
Lard or shortening
Directions:
Combine all ingredients. Add 1 1/2 cups of lukewarm water and kneed dough until soft but not sticky. Shape dough into balls the size of a small peach. Shape into patties by hand; dough should be about 1/2 inch thick. Fry one at a time in about an inch of hot lard or shortening in a heavy pan. Brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with honey, jam, or powdered sugar. If you want an Indian Taco add beans, tomatoes, onion, cheese, and salsa on top.
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Connie
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