Apache Medicine-Men

by John G. Bourke

Classic of 19th-century anthropology covers role of medicine-men in treating disease, superstitions, paraphernalia, medicine-women, the use of tule pollen as sacrificial powder, clay-eating, sacred breads and cakes, the izze-kloth or medicine cord, medicine hat, spirit or ghost dance headdress, amulets and talismans, more. Also analogous objects, rites, ceremonies in other cultures.

Genres: History

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1888

About the author

John Gregory Bourke was a captain in the United States Army and a prolific diarist and postbellum author; he wrote several books about the American Old West, including ethnologies of its indigenous peoples. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while a cavalryman in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Based on his service during the war, his commander nominated him to West Point, where he graduated in 1869, leading to service as an Army officer until his death.

Reviews

[George Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like reading about history and this is a great story with a different view point.

[Edward Erdelac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of bad. Interesting in that the author was a soldier who was with Crook during the Apache Wars, but frankly there isn't much of use here. Very often the author drew attention away from his lack of knowledge with a great deal of padding. IE, I don't know what an izze-kloth does, but if you look at this culture halfway around the world...well, I wanted information on the Apache, not such and such. I would recommend Thomas E. Mails 'The People Called Apache' over this, especially as he sums up all the useful information in this book in one chapter.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addresses the medical practices of the Apache Indians and the role of their medicine men. Good insight into the traditional Apache.

[Ernest Hogan]

A wonderful grab-bag of Wild West weirdness.