Apache refers to several related Native American peoples who historically lived across the southwestern United States, including parts of present-day Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico. The Apache peoples include groups like the Chiricahua, Mescalero, Jicarilla, and Western Apache, each with their own distinct traditions and territories.

The Apache were skilled hunters and warriors known for their deep knowledge of desert survival and their determined defense of their homelands. They lived in small, mobile groups that could move quickly across harsh terrain, hunting game and gathering plants. Apache homes, called wickiups, were dome-shaped shelters made from wooden poles covered with brush or animal hides that could be built quickly when the group relocated.

During the 1800s, as American settlers moved westward, the Apache fought to protect their lands and way of life. Leaders like Cochise and Geronimo became famous for their military skill and determination during these conflicts. Eventually, the Apache were forced onto reservations, but their descendants maintain their cultural traditions today, including their languages, ceremonies, and craftwork.