THE IMPATIENT SNAKE

Apache Knife Fighting & Battle Tactic 3

By Snake Blocker, Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas

The Impatient Snake

The One Creator made all that is in the Heavens. Next, He created the world we live in.  He then began creating the things that roam the earth and sky.  He took some clay from Turtle Island’s back and shaped it into a magnificent form.  He would create a horse and call out to Downward Wind to breathe life into it. Then the horse would go off and explore the new world.  The Creator would take more clay and shape it into a bear, then take some darker clay and give it a beautiful fur coat.  Downward Wind came to breathe life into the form, and the bear would wonder off.  The Creator did the same for the wolf, the fox, the eagle, and so on.  He began to form the snake and gave it wonderful colors. The Creator then turned to take some more clay and give it large wings and legs, but when He turned back to place the wings and legs on its body, the snake was no longer there.  The snake had quickly crawled backwards and was exploring the Underworld.  The Creator was displeased with the snake and said, “You are impatient and you did not wait for your wings and legs.  Because you are impatient, you will not receive your wings or legs and you must forever roam this world on your belly. You will roam between the Underworld and Turtle Island and never explore the sky above or be able to walk with your legs.”  Impatient Snake accepted its fate and forever crawled on its belly. When an Apache baby crawls on its belly, some Apaches call their young ones the Impatient Snake.    

In battle, Apache warriors would strike at their opponent with their weapon using a Direct Wind strike towards the enemy’s belly.  If an opponent was able to catch and hold onto the wrist or forearm of the Apache; the warrior would jerk back, wiggle and twist the weapons and arm back as fast as possible.  The Apache would step back at the same moment using the same side leg as the weapon side. This pull back action would emulate the action of Impatient Snake.  That is why the Apache warriors called this the Impatient Snake tactic.