DRAGON, DRAGON SLAYER, THUNDERBIRDS, AND PURITY IN WATER

Apache Knife Fighting & Battle Tactic 10

By Snake Blocker, Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas

 

Dragon, Dragon Slayer, Thunderbirds and Purity in Water

Many moons ago, when Dragon waged a series of wars against the Apache Nation, the Apache people prayed for aid from the One Creator.  The Apaches had played drums and flutes, danced, sang, and meditated for blessings from above.  During the first four seasons of war, the One Creator sent the Great Eagle to teach and aid the Apaches in battle.  For a time and a season, the Apaches and the sky creatures kept Dragon and the land creatures at bay, beyond Blood Valley.  For a time, there was peace.  Then Dragon came back with vengeance and he had taught the land creatures to make many violent sounds, for the land creatures had forgotten how to speak as the Apaches did.  Dragon had forbidden such language to be spoken shortly after they had arrived from Underworld to Turtle Island.  The day of Dragon’s return was once again upon the Apaches in a battle that destroyed not just many Apaches, but many of the sky creatures and the forest, which sheltered the Apache’s home front.  The giant red trees were being destroyed which awakened the great Thunderbirds.  The Thunderbirds began battling Dragon and his land creatures, but Dragon made a great trap with the torn bushes and fire which killed every one of the Thunderbirds.  Although the Thunderbirds and the Apaches never were allies, the Apaches honored their memory by placing their images on the rocks and in their pottery after this battle.  Dragon and the land creatures had chased the Apaches to the edge of a precipice and the Apaches were about to be slaughtered.  The Apaches knew their end was near, and formed a great circle, held hands and began to dance as one.  They submitted to the will of the One Creator who had control of everyone’s destiny.  This submission pleased the One Creator and he sent His Son, the one they called Dragon Slayer.  Dragon Slayer came down from above and appeared in the circle of the dance, as the Dragon was approaching.  Dragon Slayer pointed to the mountain, and the mountain moved.  The mountain was covering a great mass of water.   Then the water, which was no longer contained by the great mountain, flowed at Dragon and the land creatures.  The great water pushed Dragon until he came to the opening, from which they came up from Underworld.  Dragon fell into Underworld, as the waters subsided.  The Apaches covered the entrance with many stones including gold and silver, which sealed it up.  The Apaches rejoiced and water was known as the purity of salvation, given from above.   The water of Turtle Island would be the cleansing of many illnesses and wounds.  Water would take away many impurities, including impurities in the spirit world.   

When going to bed, some Apaches place a cup of water next to their bedding.  At night, as impurities of the spirit world set in to influence the mind, the purity in the water pulls it in and holds it in the cup.  When the Apache wakes up, fine particles are seen in the cup, which are representative of the impurities.  The Apache then throw out the water to South Wind to take away.  The practice is similar to the concept of the Dream Catcher, which many Native Americans place above their bed.          

In modern times, the Apaches would take portions of lakes and rivers and place spikes and spears at the bottom of the waterbed and place un-passable barriers around the entrapment.  The Apaches would lure their enemies into such areas to meet their end.  As the entrapment destroys the enemy, so the water drowns out the impurities of the battle, and covers the wrongdoings of mankind.