Apache Ga An

©1996 RICO LEFFANTA THE 4TH GA-AN RISES FROM THE FLAMES IN AN APACHE RITUAL OLDER THAN RELIGIONS BROUGHT TO THE “New World” FROM THE “old world”—Apache Ga-an Dance, an important, spiritual masked ritual of all Apache peoples Apache Ga-an are like the disciples of Christ, they were most highly respected Missionaries condemned the Ga-an as “Devil Dancers,” and called them inferior “New World” new beliefs, but even the woman and children were unprotected Apaches totally rejected a religion where humans only are considered superior Evil men, who taught they were above everything else, “The Chosen Ones” Apache language was unaccepted, so punished when it was proudly spoken Franciscan’s, Jesuits, Spaniards, Comanches, confinement, disease, and guns Killed, called them savages, or their spirits and bodies were gradually broken The dance ceremony is performed to drum and song, and mostly at night Four dancers representing different cardinal directions north, south, east, west The messenger, “clown” with a dual nature is the only one who wears white Dancers represent mountain spirits, their masks prepared by a shaman guest A bull roarer or whistle starts the ceremony to create an ethereal sound The ceremony is performed at na’ih’es, girl’s adulthood initiation ritual Flashing adding to the dazzling effect are the mirrors on the crowned Apache, indigenous peoples, associate with spirituality and are habitual Powerful mountain spirits and a comical teacher who heals through laughter You may see the Ga-an rise from the flames, when you hear the messenger The dancer’s bodies painted with symbols and patterns, stars, of here after Today, more enlightened Americans call the Ga-an, “Crown Dancers” ~ Article *Apache historically inhabited the southwestern United States, northern Mexico From eastern Arizona to west Texas on a longitudinal axis From southern Colorado to Sonora and Chihuahua on a latitudinal axis They formerly lived in independent tribes related by ethnic ties following the herds of bison in a semi-nomadic pattern Prowess, courage as warriors before United States imperialism, legendary They now are concentrated in reservations in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, integrated in U.S. or Mexican society. They practice either their traditional animistic religion or Christianity, or both Written 8/3/22