Untitled By Dominique
Untitled
By Dominique
English 236, Northwest Indian College
Kathy Mackenzie
The four Sacred colors, black, blue, yellow, and white have guided the Apaches in their prayers to the Great Creator-from the universe to the creations; from night to daylight.
The mountain spirits have taught the Apaches to perform the Apache Crown Dance as a means of curing. The crown headdress is be-decked with eagle feathers; the teacher that flow the highest in the Heavens.
The signs of lightning are sacred symbols of the Apaches which are placed on the bodies of the Apache Crown Dancers who are instructed by the mysterious mountain spirits to perform healing rituals for the Apaches. The crown dance is authentically performed today.
Traditionally known as Gaan, the Crown Dancers personify Apache Mountain Spirits whose role is to banish evil. These dancers are very sacred because they live in the mountains and only associate with medicine men and singers.
Back in June, they had taken a weekend to have all the special crowns made for this evening’s event, the Sunrise Dance. The dancers had also been selected. Because they chose to have Carla painted in the White Mountain tradition, it is meant we had to do extra things. Because it is important to do this away from the community, the crowns were made in an area with the medicine man present. Special designs and colors were chosen, and Carla’s father, brother and uncle were involved. A sweat lodge for the special prayers and songs was built. The women were not allowed in this area, but were required to provide food and drinks for the men.
It is a moving sight to see the Crown Dancers at Carla’s Ceremony. We pray and bless them with our yellow pollen, and Carla’s grand-parents become their keepers while they were hidden until their dance.
Carla’s mother treats them with care, and she talks to them every day and feeds them the yellow pollen. They are special because they will be with us only for a short time; they are coming to do what we ask and then they will be gone forever.
Now the time has come for the evening of the Crown Dancers. On this evening, the Crown Dancers will dance to their own special songs, and they will be blessed by four chosen medicine people. It is an honor to see this because the Crown Dancers will have special protective powers and blessings this night. One of them is Carla’s brother, who is the clown; he is the revered dancer because we believe he is the leader and directs what has to be done. He checks to see that everything is in order, or he will make a big fuss. Never fool around with the Crown Dancers because they will know if we are not sincere. They are powerful spiritual beings coming to do what we ask of them–to bless her daughter, Carla.
Thirty-two special Crown Dance songs are sung that night. Carla, Carmen and a special cousin will dance with the Crown Dancers. Carla’s godparents will also have two girls to dance with the Crown Dancers. It is understood by now that three Crown Dancers are mine and two are theirs. There will be songs and special prayers in the tipi where the girls will dance later in the night. Of the five young boys chosen, Carla’s brother and two special cousins will dance. It is an honor because young men are chosen who we hope are virgins and innocent. We know the boys are innocent they are only twelve years old! We believe that the prayers of the young and innocent are always powerful, and Usen will hear them.
