THE CAMP DWELLERS. 169 
discontinued the cremation for burial about fifty years 
ago. The Walapai make annual offerings to the dead 
of a particular year by a community burning of food 
and clothing. 
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION. 
The government of the nomadic tribes is much less 
formal than that of the sedentary peoples. The 
Jicarilla now have a chief elected from each of the two 
bands. One of these is recognized by the Agency 
officials and by the Indians themselves as tribal chief. 
In earlier times the two divisions appear to have been 
politically independent, each having chiefs of coérdi- 
nate rank. Both war and hunting parties were under 
the control of a head man who directed them. While 
it is probable that the same individual frequently 
acted in this capacity it is not certain that the office 
of war chief was definitely bestowed. 
The other Apache and the Navajo are divided into 
many small bands each with its chief who holds office 
for life and who is frequently succeeded by his son if 
he proves himself efficient. The office seems to have 
been bestowed by common consent. One of the 
main duties of the chief is to address his people each 
morning about dawn, keeping them informed as to 
things that have happened and of events of community 
interest about to occur. 
The Navajo and the Apache bands united in com- 
mon action against other tribes and against the Mexi- 
cans and Americans under the leadership of such men 
as had proved themselves capable leaders. As examples 
may be mentioned Geronimo who led several bands of 
the Apache for a number of years, and Manuelito 
among the Navajo who led them in their fight against 
the Americans. 
