Cochise's people were known as the Chokonen band.  The Apache tribe in the time of Cochise was not a cohesive nation in the manner of many other major tribes.  Individual bands would sometimes unite to form larger raiding or warring parties, but never at a tribal level.  In fact, several of the bands historically warred against one another fairly often.  Because it has never been the practice of the Apaches to follow a single figurehead chief, the tribe has remained factionalised over its entire history.

     Even at the band level leaders were recognized in a different way than one usually expects with North American Indian tribes.  Any warrior who showed uncompromising bravery, displayed a measure of uncommon wisdom, and was honorable had the potential to attract followers.  If the existing leader of a band began to lose the confidence of his people he was swiftly replaced by someone else who possessed the mandatory attributes.  This loose style of command made for exceptionally powerful leaders in many of the Apache bands as there was never any need for formal elections or recalls.  Only the most naturally endowed warriors were able to stay at the helm for very long, and their leadership was constantly tried and tested.

    Apache bands were usually quite small in population, due largely to the limitational aspects of their environment.  The Apaches in the time of Cochise occupied some of the harshest land on the North American continent, having to survive extreme variations in temperature and live off a landscape that makes the very act of survival an accomplishment.  Most of the individual bands, including the Chokonens, were nomadic and ranged over a huge area.  This alone limited their numbers, as the land was capable of supporting only so many.  Cochise's band was, even at its strongest, limited to about 1,000 souls, counting men, women and children.  It was one of the smallest bands, yet ironically one of the most widely respected.  This was due in no small measure to the magnificent leadership of Cochise, and his willingness to form frequent partnerships with the neighboring Warm Springs band, which was led by his powerful father-in-law Mangas Coloradas.  Together, these two chieftains virtually ruled the southwest during the 1850s and early 1860s.
 
 

An Apache Life-Way: The Economic, Social, and Religious Institutions of the Chiricahua Indians - by Morris Opler click the cover for information,  or to order

* * *