Saturday, February 17, 2018

Goyaałé



Geronimo was an important 19th-century Apache warrior, leader, and holy man, born
June 16, 1829. He was a war chief of the Bedonkohe band of the Chiricahua Apaches, located in what is now Arizona, and was one of the driving forces during the Apache Wars, renowned for his military resistance against both Mexican and American forces. 

Geronimo's real name was Goyaałé, which means "one who yawns" in Chiricahua Apache (often spelled Goyathlay or Goyathle in English.) The name "Geronimo" is a Spanish name equivalent to English "Jerome," and was given to him by the Mexicans for reasons that can only be guessed at (some people have hypothesized that the Mexicans may have been praying to St. Jerome as they fought against him, others that Mexican soldiers simply couldn't pronounce his name and picked this Spanish one for him.) He himself was reported to frequently refer to himself as Geronimo. Many Apache people from this time period used Spanish names in their everyday lives, believing that limiting the use of their Indian names conserved their spiritual power.

His time to leave this life as an old man on February 17, 1909, was a profound loss.  

- anon 



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