Nana (chief) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nana
Chiricahua Apache leader
Personal details
Born	c.1810
Died	May 19, 1896 (aged 85–86) Fort Sill, Indian Territory
Cause of death	natural causes
Nicknames	Kas-tziden, Haškɛnadɨltla

Nana (born around 1810, died May 19, 1896) was a brave warrior and leader of the Chihenne band of the Chiricahua Apache people. His Apache names were Kas-tziden ("Broken Foot") and Haškɛnadɨltla ("Angry, He is Agitated"). He was widely known by his Mexican-Spanish name, Nana.

Nana was a trusted helper to other important Apache leaders like Cuchillo Negro and Mangas Coloradas. In the 1850s and 1860s, he was one of the most famous leaders of the Chihenne (also known as Warm Springs Apache). Other leaders of his group included Delgadito, Ponce, and Loco. Nana was Delgadito's nephew and married a sister of the famous Apache leader Geronimo.

Who Was Nana?

Captain John Gregory Bourke described Nana as having a strong face. He said Nana showed intelligence, courage, and a good nature. Another writer, Charles Fletcher Lummis, mentioned that Nana wore gold watch chains in his earlobes.

Early Battles

Nana fought alongside Mangas Coloradas and his mixed Apache group. This continued until Mangas Coloradas died in January 1863. Nana also took part in many raids with the Nednhi Apache leaders, Juh and Natiza, against Mexican forces.

After Ponce, Cuchillo Negro, and Delgadito were also killed, Victorio became the main leader of the Chihenne. Nana, who was about 20 years older than Victorio, married Victorio's older sister. This helped strengthen his position as a respected leader among the Apache.

Victorio's Fight for Freedom

The Apache people tried several times to live peacefully on reservations in their own lands. However, these attempts did not work out. Because of this, Victorio and Nana decided to fight back against the Americans and Mexicans.

More than 80 warriors from the Mescalero Apache joined them. These warriors were led by their old chief, Caballero. With these new allies, Victorio and Nana had about 200 warriors ready to fight.

During the Apache Wars, especially Victorio's War, Nana and Victorio led raids in Texas and Mexico. In October 1880, Nana and a small group were away on a scouting mission. While they were gone, Victorio and his band were surrounded by the Mexican Army. Victorio and his group were killed at the Battle of Tres Castillos. Many women and children were captured and sold as slaves.

Nana's Amazing Raids

After Victorio's death, Nana and his followers hid in the Sierra Madre mountains. Many brave leaders and warriors joined Nana. These included Fun, Ka-ya-ten-nae, Loco, Mangas, Naiche, Geronimo, and Juh.

Nana was almost 80 years old at this time, some even said he was nearly 90. Despite his age, he formed his own war party. He gathered warriors from the Chihenne (Warm Springs Apache) and other Apache groups. His group also included 15 Tsokanende warriors, 12 Mescalero warriors, and a few Navajo people. Women and children also traveled with them.

Nana's group began raiding Army supply trains and isolated settlers. In less than a month, Nana fought seven or eight battles. He traveled over 1,000 miles. During these raids, he killed many American and Mexican soldiers. He also captured about 200 horses to replace the ones they had ridden to death. After these successful raids, he returned to Mexico. Nana and his small force managed to avoid more than 1,000 soldiers, hundreds of civilian volunteers, and Apache and Navajo scouts.

Nana's Later Life and Death

Nana survived the Apache Wars. In March 1886, he and other Apache warriors surrendered. They were sent as prisoners of war to Florida and Alabama. Later, in 1894, they were moved to Fort Sill in what was then called the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Nana died of natural causes in 1896.

Nana's Legacy

Nana is remembered as a very special Apache war chief. He was an active warrior even when he was in his eighties. He was known for his strong will, great energy, courage, and amazing ability to plan battles. He always tried to keep his losses to a minimum.

Nana was a fierce fighter in battle. However, he could also be kind when dealing with regular people. When Nana was leading his guerrilla tactics in the 1880s, he was half blind and bent over from arthritis. But once he was on his horse, he rode "like the devil," showing incredible strength and determination.