Taza (Chiricahua leader) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tah-ze
Grave of Taza
Born	c. birth year – c. 1843 Chiricahua country
Died	(1876-09-26)September 26, 1876 Washington D.C.
Buried	Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C.
Allegiance	Chiricahua Apache Indians
Years of service	1860–1876
Rank	Chief or Leader of Chiricahua Apaches
Battles/wars	Apache Wars
Relations	Cochise (father)

Taza (also known as Tazi, Tah-ze, or Tahzi) was born around 1843. He was an important leader of the Chiricahua Apache people. His father was the famous chief Cochise, who was a main leader of the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua Apache. Taza's mother, Dos-teh-seh, was the daughter of another respected leader named Mangas Coloradas.

Taza Becomes a Leader

Taza was the older brother of Naiche. When his father Cochise passed away in 1874, Taza became the new chief of the Chiricahua people. This happened two years after the Chiricahua Reservation was created by General Howard. A reservation is a special area of land set aside for Native American tribes.

In 1876, the Chiricahua tribe was moved from their reservation to a different area called San Carlos. In September of that same year, Taza was part of a group of Apache leaders who traveled to Washington, D.C. for a visit. Sadly, Taza became sick while in Washington and died there on September 26, 1876. He had been chief for about two years.

Taza is buried at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington D.C. His mother, Dos-teh-seh, his brother Naiche, and his half-sisters, Dash-den-zhoos and Naithlotonz, lived through a difficult time when many Apache people were held as prisoners. They later moved to Mescalero.

It is not known if a real picture of Taza was ever taken. A photo that was once thought to be Taza was actually of another Native American man named George Noche, taken in 1886.

Remembering Taza

Taza's story was told in a movie from 1954 called Taza, Son of Cochise. The film was directed by Douglas Sirk and starred Rock Hudson as Taza.