The Light Gray People
An Ethno-History of the Lipan Apaches of Texas and Northern Mexico
Published on 5. October 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
202 pages
978-0-7618-4854-7 (ISBN)
Description
Although Lipan Apache culture was studied by one of the most eminent anthropologists of the twentieth century, many important questions remain. What is the meaning of the tribal name Lipan? Did Morris Opler's 1935 study of historical Lipan culture conform to practices seen by eighteenth century Spaniards?
Only four in situ observations of Lipan Apache culture survive - observations made by a Spanish priest, a Spanish military officer, a Swiss botanist and an Anglo captive. Each source reveals fascinating insights into a hitherto unseen world of Lipan beliefs and practices. The sources reported, for example, that the Lipans were able to predict both solar and lunar eclipses, a practice which went far beyond the vision quest posited by Opler. The Light Gray People seeks to complete a comparative analysis of traditional Lipan Apache culture, as seen through the eyes of four eighteenth and nineteenth century observers and Morris Opler's theories.
Only four in situ observations of Lipan Apache culture survive - observations made by a Spanish priest, a Spanish military officer, a Swiss botanist and an Anglo captive. Each source reveals fascinating insights into a hitherto unseen world of Lipan beliefs and practices. The sources reported, for example, that the Lipans were able to predict both solar and lunar eclipses, a practice which went far beyond the vision quest posited by Opler. The Light Gray People seeks to complete a comparative analysis of traditional Lipan Apache culture, as seen through the eyes of four eighteenth and nineteenth century observers and Morris Opler's theories.
Reviews / Votes
This is an important synthesis based on a number of highly dispersed historic references that Minor has systematically mined and consolidated into a readable and valuable ethnographic record. * Southwestern Historical Quarterly *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
336 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7618-4854-7 (9780761848547)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Nancy McGown Minor, an independent historical researcher with a master's degree from Texas State University. She specializes in archival research regarding the history and culture of the Lipan Apaches and is the Tribal Historian of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. Ms. Minor is also the co-author (with William Chebahtah) of Chevato: The Story of the Apache Warrior who Captured Herman Lehmann (University of Nebraska Press, 2007). This work contains the oral history and historical context of the life of Lipan Apache shaman Chevato (1852-1931), one of the founders of the Native American Church.
Content
Chapter 1 Figures, Tables, and Maps
Chapter 2 Preface
Part 3 Part I: Lipan Apache Origins and Early History
Chapter 4 Chapter 1: Translation and Meaning of the Tribal Name Lipan
Chapter 5 Chapter 2: The Origin of the Lipan Apaches
Chapter 6 Chapter 3: The Zuazua History
Chapter 7 Chapter 4: Early Lipan-Spanish Contacts in Texas
Part 8 Part II: Lipan Apache Culture and Cultural Adaptations, 1700-1900
Chapter 9 Chapter 5: Physical Appearance and Manner of Dress
Chapter 10 Chapter 6: Lipan Apache Material Culture
Chapter 11 Chapter 7: Lipan Apache Economic Culture: Hunting and Gathering
Chapter 12 Chapter 8: Lipan Apache Economic Culture: The Shadow Trade Economy
Chapter 13 Chapter 9: Lipan Apache Social Culture: Family, Kinship, and Society
Chapter 14 Chapter 10: Political Organization: The Lipan Band
Chapter 15 Chapter 11: Political Orgranization: The Lipan Chief
Chapter 16 Chapter 12: Lipan Apache Raiding
Chapter 17 Chapter 13: Captives
Chapter 18 Chapter 14: Lipan Apache Warfare
Chapter 19 Chapter 15: Lipan Apache Religion - Overview
Chapter 20 Chapter 16: Lipan Apache Religion - Mythic Shamanism
Chapter 21 Chapter 17: Lipan Apache Religion - Curative Shamanism
Chapter 22 Notes
Chapter 23 References Cited
Chapter 24 Index
Chapter 25 About the Author
Chapter 2 Preface
Part 3 Part I: Lipan Apache Origins and Early History
Chapter 4 Chapter 1: Translation and Meaning of the Tribal Name Lipan
Chapter 5 Chapter 2: The Origin of the Lipan Apaches
Chapter 6 Chapter 3: The Zuazua History
Chapter 7 Chapter 4: Early Lipan-Spanish Contacts in Texas
Part 8 Part II: Lipan Apache Culture and Cultural Adaptations, 1700-1900
Chapter 9 Chapter 5: Physical Appearance and Manner of Dress
Chapter 10 Chapter 6: Lipan Apache Material Culture
Chapter 11 Chapter 7: Lipan Apache Economic Culture: Hunting and Gathering
Chapter 12 Chapter 8: Lipan Apache Economic Culture: The Shadow Trade Economy
Chapter 13 Chapter 9: Lipan Apache Social Culture: Family, Kinship, and Society
Chapter 14 Chapter 10: Political Organization: The Lipan Band
Chapter 15 Chapter 11: Political Orgranization: The Lipan Chief
Chapter 16 Chapter 12: Lipan Apache Raiding
Chapter 17 Chapter 13: Captives
Chapter 18 Chapter 14: Lipan Apache Warfare
Chapter 19 Chapter 15: Lipan Apache Religion - Overview
Chapter 20 Chapter 16: Lipan Apache Religion - Mythic Shamanism
Chapter 21 Chapter 17: Lipan Apache Religion - Curative Shamanism
Chapter 22 Notes
Chapter 23 References Cited
Chapter 24 Index
Chapter 25 About the Author