Ceremonies and Rituals
Girls' Puberty Ceremony
Among the Western Apache tribes, Apaches practise the ‘Girls’ Puberty Ceremony.’ Which is known as ‘Na’íí’ees’ - meaning ‘preparing her’ or ‘getting her ready.’ In this four day ceremony, the girl and her partner (a boy of the same age) listen to sacred songs about tribal origins. The girl is united spiritually and personally with the most revered ancestors of the tribe.
Cradle Ceremony
The cradle ceremony takes place four days after birth. The ceremonies involves the baby being marked with pollen, preparing the cradleboard, and placing the baby in the cradleboard. This ceremony is believed to ward off evil influences.
First Moccasin Ceremony
The Apache hold this ceremony in order to celebrate a child’s first steps. This ceremony is held at new moon. The child wears a newly made outfit and their first moccasins (soft leather slippers/shoes.) This ceremony involves a feast, gift giving, songs, prayers, dancing and blessings with pollen. The purpose of this ceremony is to keep the child healthy and strong.
The Holiness Rite
The Holiness Rite is long-life ceremony, based on the story of Bear and Snake. The story involves a Bear and a Snake stealing two girls during the emergence of the people from the underworld. The girls were rescued and returned by the White and Black Gods.
This curing ceremony is believed to relieve the Bear and Snake sickness - the illness which originated from the Bear and Snake story. This complex, four-day ceremony may treat up to 12 patients. During the ceremony, the patients are subject to treatments which are intended to frighten away the bear and the snake.
The Holiness Rite is also known as the Bear Dance. It is usually performed for three days before and during the appearance of the full moon (for a total of four days.) The ceremony cures Bear, Snake and other illnesses.
This curing ceremony is believed to relieve the Bear and Snake sickness - the illness which originated from the Bear and Snake story. This complex, four-day ceremony may treat up to 12 patients. During the ceremony, the patients are subject to treatments which are intended to frighten away the bear and the snake.
The Holiness Rite is also known as the Bear Dance. It is usually performed for three days before and during the appearance of the full moon (for a total of four days.) The ceremony cures Bear, Snake and other illnesses.
Hoop Dance
The Hoop Dance is an Apache healing ceremony. During the ceremony, the sick person is seated on a blanket facing east. The dancers (a boy and a girl at each at each of the four cardinal directions) dance in towards the patient. The boys place their hoops over the patient’s head, and the girls place their crosses over the patient’s head. This is repeated four times.
Lightning Ceremony
The Lightning Ceremony is a ceremony which is done to protect the people from the danger of lightning. In addition, the ceremony brings the rain and insures good crops.
By Abby