Tag: Cochise

Cochise ( /koʊˈtʃiːs/; Apache K’uu-ch’ish “oak”; c. 1805–June 8, 1874) was a chief (a nantan) of the Chokonen (“central” or “real” Chiricahua) band of the Chiricahua Apache and the leader of an uprising that began in 1861. Cochise County, Arizona is named after him.
Cochise (or “Cheis”) was one of the most famous Apache leaders (along with Geronimo) to resist intrusions by Americans during the 19th century. He was described as a large man (for the time), with a muscular frame, classical features, and long black hair which he wore in traditional Apache style. He was about 5’10” tall and weighed about 175 lbs. In his own language, his name “Cheis” meant “having the quality or strength of oak.”
Cochise and the Chokonen-Chiricahua lived in the area that is now the northern Mexican region of Sonora, New Mexico, and Arizona, which they had moved into sometime before the coming of the Europeans. As Spain and later Mexico attempted to gain dominion over their lands, the various Chiricahua…