The Cibecue Apache

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Cultural anthropologist Keith H. Basso (1940–2013) conducted extensive research on the Western Apaches, particularly in Cibecue, Arizona, where he engaged in ethnographic and linguistic studies for fifty-four years. His influential work, The Cibecue Apache, has been a foundational text for generations of students, showcasing Apache culture through objective analysis and allowing the community to voice their own narratives. Basso learned the Apache language, gained the trust of the people, and frequently returned to the field for data collection and observation. His primary aim was to illustrate the perceptions, experiences, conflicts, and indecision of the Cibecue Apache, with a focus on their belief system, particularly aspects related to the supernatural. The work also highlights the significance of the girls' puberty ceremony and explores contemporary Apache economic and political life. Key topics include Pre-Reservation and Post-Reservation Western Apache Society, the Realm of Power, Curing Ceremonials, Witchcraft, and the influence of Missionaries. A glossary and a brief pronunciation guide are included, along with references to related works.