I am chiricahua of the Apache nation. This is a sacred dance to celebrate a young girls journey into womanhood. This song and dance calls to the great spirit to bless her with a fruitful womb too bear many children. It was performed in this same way by our great and beloved ancestors. The true Americans.
+Flickchaser : From what I've read, the young woman is spread with corn pollen as corn was survival and spiritual to SW Native Americans. Sorry if I sound ignorant, but I'm first generation US born from WWII Polish parents. I'm trying to find out as much as possible about cultures other than my own.
Flickchaser Yes thank you for asking. The paint is a mixture of cornmeal and clay. It represents a blessing. A blessing by the spirits for her future life as a woman. Women are held in high esteem. They represent the lifeline of our people, as they bear children for the future and continued existence of our beloved nation.
+Art Works Thank you very much for the explanation. The Apache, especially Chiricahua are among the most interesting tribes. General George Crook who had to fight them gave the combatants the supreme compliment, he called them "Tigers of the Human Species" as they were peerless warriors afield, in addition to a stamina that is still considered amazing throughout the history of man and warfare. An article about Nana who was listed as around 80 yrs at the time, states that he went on a raid running and riding almost 3,000 miles!! and crapped all over the U.S. Army. But I have found very little while reading of tribal rituals as to their true meaning and the place women held then (or hold) today in Apache society. I found an older book that I am going to try.." INDEH " by Eve Ball. that may shed some light on a way of life and culture. Once years ago I stayed at Cochise Stronghold for quite a while (1960's) in an effort to know the land and it's influence on the Apache. One thing I learned quick, unless you are trained with the necessary skills(I wasn't) of what to eat and where to find it and water, your pride will melt and in it's place some humility and respect for the Apache will emerge.
Thank You for your observations and interest in the Apache people. While few outsiders are permitted to be present during our sacred dances, we considerate a politeness to have the "white man" today, pay us such respect such as you have done. I personally have been educated in the white man's schools, and have used this education to share our ancestral history with others. I have had the privilege of speaking to students in universities across the country, and share some of our Apache heritage with them. I am a spokesman for the Chiricahua people, and live on the reservation in Arizona. I am proud and humbled of the way my people once lived off the land they loved and cherished. I believe that in comparison, I would be considered of little worth.
Blessings blessing blessings to this beautiful, strong, soulful young lady! I am grateful to have been able to be a part of her ceremony in some way. You can feel all the love and blessings from her kinfolk. This kind of love and healthy supportive bond from the men in her family and community is a medicine for us all. While watching, though I never received a ceremony like this in my honour, I felt like I was dancing in her place, with her, and all blessings and love of all my male ancestors being poured on me too, retroactively. This honouring of her transition into womanhood with such love honours each and every young woman, and all of us who have passed theough this stage of life, without it being celebrated by our community as it rightfully should be. While watching, I saw all girls of all nations being blessed, and prayed for the blessing of all young women and the restoration of the circle of community and family that uplifts and supports with such deep and heartfelt love. I am grateful for the love care tenderness and wishes for protection of these men, which is too often suppressed in our society and not sufficiently appreciated. I am grateful for the choice to record and share this sacred moment, may the Creator and our Ancestors grant that our spiritual eyes be opened to see and receive with reverence what beauty love and unity is being transmitted here. It is up to each of us to be witnesses in the sacred space of our hearts. To all my relations!
Looks like a very Powerful ceremony! Much Respect to you Apache people! I can see the Strong belief in your tradition! May you never lose its meaning...
I think it is a good way to document these traditions. I believe it is a beautiful thing that these traditions are no longer lost or considered illegal.
RU-vid has tuaght me alot about my apache traditions its hard beacuase my elders are 3 hours away and i have no one to teach me thank you for teaching the youth through this platform
This is why others misunderstood the traditional dances cause they were not allowed to viewed outside of the Tribes. This is how we learn about these traditional dances and ceremonies
As a native woman and an Apache woman I am happy to see this and hear the songs. But a part of me is distressed at seeing this on RU-vid. This is how we are losing the sacredness of our traditions, beliefs, and way of life through the technological revolution and sharing everything. This should not be recorded yet alone be on RU-vid. It shouldn't matter if a medicine man or elder says "it's okay" because it's said that things like this shouldn't be recorded for all to see.
Correct. My family came to southern Arizona back in 1862. I grew up around the Tribes and all this was highly secret certainly, no photos or films. But all that has ended, even the Hopi are allowing filming now.
emsnews What you say of the Hopi is technically not all true. Yes recording is allowed now but only for the social dances. There are still dances that are to not be recorded.
I'm of the same mind. I am a pagan and our rituals as glorious and spiritual as they are, are NOT allowed to be recorded because of this. Some things are NOT to be shared, but lived in the moment and held by yourself for your own memories. Blessed Be.
NativeHoney81334 My first thought was: Do they have the permission to record and upload this on YT? As it is something so intimate and so sacred for Native People! I also Polish btw. Greetings and stay strong!
NativeHoney81334 I truly am sorry you feel distressed, though I wish you were not. I not be Native American, but have always been fascinated with everything Native American ever since Kevin Costner's movie- dances with wolves. I know it probably doesn't portray the best picture, but did peak my interest into wanting to know more. I've been to a couple events around my way, but never had been as extravagant and beautiful as what I've seen on RU-vid. Anything that's even close within driving distance would be 150-200 mile round trip, which would be ok if I had a more reliable vehicle, or knew people in my area going the same direction. Might have to research that possibility if I can find an event. Any suggestions, plz, on etiquette from greetings to salutations? Leaving nothing out in between. I want to learn, understand and know more, and its meant in the utmost respect and honor. So far, only way I can see any thing of Native Americans, is through RU-vid. If there were a place I could go to learn a language, love to do that as well, even if its only few words of greeting, being excused or taking my leave til the next time I see or speak to them.
seeing this girl dance non stop to show her strength and endurance is an amazing sight, makes me proud to be a Pima, im not even apache but i know that it shouldnt be video taped, too sacred though
I saw the first apache dance in Westerns, Delmer Dave Douglas Sirk, George Sherman, who were smart enough to add them in their films to give it an authentic touch
Don’t be afraid , this will not take away from the sacredness of this ceremony. It make it more sacred. As an indigenous man from Manitoba I realize my hands to the courage of your people to no longer live in the shadows of oppression and shame but to rejoice our sacredness as a people. As an observer I have great respect for what is going on, and I do not know the ceremony, but know i is special. This is similar to non-indigenous people who come to our ceremonies.we do not need to hide our way of life and live in the historic mistrust that we hold for the wrongs against us. We can heal and lift ourselves us... Hiy Hiy Ekosi ... Piwapiskwenow
This video is awesome even though I ain't no Native American but I do like the people who dances and singing to Mother Earth I always get into Native Americans a lot
it can be recorded, the medicine will literally stop the ceremony at certain parts like the blessing of the crown dancers, any praying for the girl, this is just a small part of the week long ceremony
+HeartlessNinja789 unless he got permission from the elder or medicine man. if not! then he should not record without permission or else. hint. I know because my elders and medicine man told me and a well, lets say my relative did not make to senior year. yep. but I love this though.
Well it is sacred but i bet the girls still dont know anything about what to do adter they get their first period...like for the Navajos when a girl gets her period and is now entering womanhood she has to cook, clean, and work outside for 4 days after in her traditional outfit like her jewelry and dress and moccasin. And if there is nothing to do she sits straight up quietly until told what to do. She cooks the food and serves everyone and eats whatever is left...but she cant eat anything sweet or salty or sour. So she eats lean meat with no fat or blue corn mush or any traditional foods. She also has to run every morning before the sun rises as far east as she can after that she faces east and prays and blesses herself from the ground to her feet and up to her head; she does this morning, afternoon, and evening. She cant talk back or complain or yell at anyone or anything. She cant laugh out and make stupid jokes. She cant eat red meat, she cant hit or strike with any part of her body, she cant touch the fire directly....so for 4 days she does these things and more because she is considered 'Holy'. Most people dont do these things anymore becuz they werent taught or didnt learn it. Yes the sunrise dance is sacred but what part is actually sacred nowadays? There are girls who do whatever they want for the 4 days after their first period, there are drugs and alcohol taken to these dances, most everyone goes to just be noticed there and eat but not spiritually support the girl, families dont listen to the medicine man when he is speaking but instead talk to each other and joke around and not sit quietly for a few minutes, others go to draw up business and take the attention away from the ceremony with junk food... One of my 5 younger sisters had a sunrise dance and she did her 4 day training and after a month of prep instead of the having it one the 4th day, we only had a one day sunrise dance out and away from town and had a group of family and friends who came to support her in any way with food, prayer, and kindness. We didnt want a flashy, big dance because as long as we had faith and prayer than everything was going to be alright. I do appreciate if you, yourself, keep things sacred on your part and in your family for those who need your support and prayers. Im sorry for putting in my couple cents of words but i would like to see how sunrise dances were way back when it was sacred to compare it to now.
The Apache Dancer with the white mask; and nice body is admirable. I don't understand why so many people are complaining about this being sacred and that being sacred, then you have some that are complaining about certain group exploding their traditional inaccurately. As a Dine' (Navajo); we are losing our culture everyday to western civilization, moderation ways of life. Would it be better to have something recorder for the betterment of your tribe, then lose it to the 'White Man Way'? Just my thoughts.
+Nickii Brenton I think I got cancer from reading this. This is sacred because this young lady is being painted by the Gaans and her Godfather, in the traditions she is molding into Changing Woman (Semigaysha) if you were Apache you would be saying this is sacred too! This is a very important part of the ceremony, that is why the White Clown runs around to people who have cameras or phones out, he will block it because it is sacred. And disgusting for saying the White Clown has a nice body, we are not to say that about them. That just makes them someone to check out. I'm with everybody on this, this is suppose to be sacred and not recorded. My thoughts too.
Omg at least I'm not Apache. That's gotta be a lot of work for this ceremony. Us Navajo women when we go thru our womanhood it's called Kinaalda. That's the easiest one to go thru.
Idk who said its ok to post these dances!!. These are our traditions. They are not ment for all eyes to see. These are sacred to our people only. This causes the white man to take over again. Yes they can see but who gives one permission . We arent supposed to look at this in my tribe. Idk why i clicked on it. Have sum respect for your people. My natives
I bet this man standing in ceremony with his daughter or grand-daughter or niece is so proud to have his relative introduced to the four quarters of the universe and to see her as the morning star and the beginning " How Powerful" it is no wonder how Geronimo was in touch with t he universe.
These dances are sacred and shouldn't be filmed regardless of the medicine man saying it's okay. You should be taking a mental picture. Hold onto that memory and keep it close... I haven't watched the video yet and I'm almost scared too. I'm Navajo and some where along the way I may have Apache mixed in. I don't feel right to watch this without being there physically..
As great as this is to see, I do agree with the below comments something like this should not be shared with the whole world to see. There are just some things that are not ment to be seen, ceremonies like this should be for family only and for her to come into womanhood the right way with out Technology getting in the way. This was her time not ours. I hope this message is not seen in a bad way because I mean no disrespect. Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ.
great feeling to live this beautifull ceremonies but this does not belong in youtube, this shuld be shown in a diferent way, by the grandfathers, in their own circules, only by people who care and to people who care
it is a sad confusion when we try to replace whole life ways of the keystone species our ancestors had with song and dance and ceremony and symbolisms that were never to take the place of life ways we don't walk in any more ... I see this real traditional culture being replaced by what is no more a full culture than pow wow
Man I trip on the communal spirit these dances tend to have,wish we came together as a community for certain things but I guess it's just not meant to be.
+Brent Fisher- Depends on where and who you are around. I have to agree some of the more traditional denominations are so entrenched in slow sad funeral music that it's small wonder that people avoid going. But that is changing fast. God has some musicians that know how to jam. But finding a place where you can tap your toe and have fun can be a challenge. I was in a church, the pastor got up on stage and said."I can't get these young people off the streets and in here with the type music we are playing..so here is what we are going to do..we are going to get a permit from the city, rent a big box truck, load it up with professional sound equipment and go to the city park and get that place to jumping..and change what we are playing in here also". He did it. Many people feel the same way as you but won't voice it. True Christianity is living and enjoying life to the fullest but man made "Religion" with it's old dead music does not IMHO represent God or Jesus Christ. You may want to check out a feel good song here on YT "" Rend Collective-My Lighthouse-Official Video"" shot while on a fishing boat.
Flickchaser I do agree on the music. It's worse where I live because Tiverton, RI is a place where people go to die of natural causes and there's probably less than 30 people in the whole town under 55 years old. And there's no public transportation or stores/industry around so I also call it "OPEC's dream come true".