Lozen, born around 1840, remains one of the most remarkable figures in Apache history. A Two-Spirit individual, she was not only a formidable warrior but also a revered priestess and prophet of the Chihenne Chiricahua Apache. Her life was a unique blend of martial skill and deep spiritual insight, which she used to protect and guide her people during some of the most challenging periods of their history.
A Life of Dual Roles
Lozen was the sister of Victorio, the famed Apache leader, and she shared with him an unbreakable bond and a commitment to the survival and freedom of their people. While Victorio was renowned for his tactical brilliance on the battlefield, Lozen’s role extended beyond the physical realm. She was a spiritual leader, a priestess whose connection to the divine was as vital to the Apache as her prowess in combat.
Her role as a priestess was not just symbolic; it was deeply practical and rooted in the spiritual traditions of the Apache. Lozen possessed prophetic abilities, a gift that enabled her to sense the presence of enemies and guide her people away from danger. This skill was crucial during their resistance against U.S. and Mexican forces, particularly during the Apache Wars when the Apache were under constant threat.
The Prayer of a Priestess
Lozen’s spiritual power was most evident in the rituals she performed to protect her people. According to Alexander B. Adams in his book Geronimo, during times of imminent danger, Lozen would stand with her arms outstretched, chant a prayer to Ussen—the supreme deity of the Apache—and slowly turn around. This ritual was a powerful invocation of divine protection and guidance. Her prayer, as translated in Eve Ball’s book In the Days of Victorio, is a profound reflection of her role as a priestess:
Upon this earth On which we live Ussen has Power This Power is mine For locating the enemy. I search for that Enemy Which only Ussen the Great Can show to me.
This prayer was more than just words; it was an expression of Lozen’s deep connection to Ussen and her unwavering belief in the spiritual forces that guided her people. It was through this prayer that she could sense the presence of threats, providing her people with the information they needed to evade capture and survive in hostile territory.
Lozen’s Enduring Legacy
Lozen’s unique combination of martial prowess and spiritual insight made her a key figure in the Apache resistance. Her ability to blend these two aspects of her identity—a warrior and a priestess—allowed her to serve her people in ways that few others could. She fought alongside her brother Victorio and later joined Geronimo after his breakout from the San Carlos reservation in 1885, during the last campaign of the Apache Wars.
Her legacy endures not only because of her bravery on the battlefield but also because of her spiritual leadership. Lozen represents the deep spiritual resilience of the Apache people, embodying their connection to the land, their gods, and their traditions. She is an enduring symbol of courage, wisdom, and the sacred role that spirituality plays in the life of the Apache.
Lozen’s life is a testament to the power of spiritual leadership in times of crisis. As a priestess, she provided her people with more than just guidance; she offered them hope and a connection to the divine that sustained them through their darkest hours. Her prayer to Ussen is a reminder of the deep spiritual traditions that continue to inspire and guide the Apache people today.
Lozen’s story is not just one of resistance; it is a story of faith, of the enduring power of spiritual leadership, and of the unique role that women and Two-Spirit individuals have played in the history of Native American resistance. Her legacy as both a warrior and a priestess ensures that she will be remembered as one of the most important figures in Apache history, a symbol of the strength and resilience of her people.
