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12” x 12” Matted Print
One of the most sacred ceremonies of the Apache people is the Sunrise Ceremony. Also known as the Na'ii'ees or "Preparing Her" ceremony, the Sunrise Dance is a four-day female coming-of-age ceremony, in which a girl temporarily becomes Changing Woman, the first lady and mother of her people. It is a significant and highly spiritual event for both the girl and the entire Apache community. Guests who are present participate in the ceremony full of music, blessings, and sharing of food. Identified as Changing Woman or White Shell Woman by the abalone shell pendant hanging from her forehead, this young maid embarks on the journey to womanhood dressed in golden buckskin, the color of sacred pollen. She wears a full beaded collar and holds a cane that will symbolically help her in her old age.
During part of the eight stages of the Sunrise Ceremony, the young lady along with the Ga'an or Crown Dancers, will dance in front of a huge bonfire to demonstrate her courage and chase away evil spirits. Her family, friends, and several hundred people from the community are welcomed to join the social dancing. In the days that follow, the young maid participates in the intricate and sometimes arduous ceremony that will call upon the spirit of Changing Woman to transform her, making her spiritually strong and endowing her with a long and healthy life.
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12” x 12” Matted Print
One of the most sacred ceremonies of the Apache people is the Sunrise Ceremony. Also known as the Na'ii'ees or "Preparing Her" ceremony, the Sunrise Dance is a four-day female coming-of-age ceremony, in which a girl temporarily becomes Changing Woman, the first lady and mother of her people. It is a significant and highly spiritual event for both the girl and the entire Apache community. Guests who are present participate in the ceremony full of music, blessings, and sharing of food. Identified as Changing Woman or White Shell Woman by the abalone shell pendant hanging from her forehead, this young maid embarks on the journey to womanhood dressed in golden buckskin, the color of sacred pollen. She wears a full beaded collar and holds a cane that will symbolically help her in her old age.
During part of the eight stages of the Sunrise Ceremony, the young lady along with the Ga'an or Crown Dancers, will dance in front of a huge bonfire to demonstrate her courage and chase away evil spirits. Her family, friends, and several hundred people from the community are welcomed to join the social dancing. In the days that follow, the young maid participates in the intricate and sometimes arduous ceremony that will call upon the spirit of Changing Woman to transform her, making her spiritually strong and endowing her with a long and healthy life.
Click on Photo to view Full Image