I find this reassuring. Any organization that relies on “spirits” to guide it is bound to fail. Sort of like the jihadis who rely on Allah to guide their bullets. I wish the NVA had done that.
I think it worked, once. The last Apache revolt was in Arizona. A charismatic man was set on leading the revolt, which would commence after a “Sun Dance” and consultation with the ancestors.
Just the mention of a Sun Dance, and everyone else went into “battle stations”, including the US Army, citizens, and even other tribes. Well, this charismatic man was the prime participant in the dance, which could last more than a day until its participants passed out and had a vision.
When he woke up, he told the other Apaches that he told the ancestors in council, of his plans to revolt, and surprisingly they told him not to be stupid, that if he did so, he and his people would get slaughtered. So, that would have been the end of the revolt except for “bad luck”.
A sizeable Cavalry unit had set out to engage them and arrest the participants, since the Sun Dance itself was illegal, and arriving at the Apache camp, the leader came out to meet with an Army Lieutenant to explain that there was not going to be a revolt.
However, some Cavalryman got an itchy finger and shot the Apache leader, killing him, so an Apache shot the Lieutenant, killing him, which started a skirmish. Only after a time did someone call for a cease fire, which ended it. Several Apaches were arrested, and since all gave similar testimony, only got the minimal prison sentences.