I Am Anaya Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

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 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

©1996 RICO LEFFANTA


                                                                                                                                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” ~

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Vijay Pandit August 19, 2022 at 2:51 PM Thank you Anaya for glimpses of culture and history in this celebration of past. Wonderful write. Much I learned from this fascinating story you wrote. I Am Anaya August 20, 2022 at 10:45 AM I love dance, I grew up dancing as part of The Ballet Folklorico De Esteban Coronado! Cultural dances. This photo a gift, inspired the poem! The history is from an article. Thank you, Vijay!

Mystic Rose Rose August 17, 2022 at 6:47 PM so much beautiful history, so much wisdom that went unheeded. They were spiritual warriors who were in tune with inner and outer nature, underestimated and under acknowledge, glad you shared this wonderful piece of history with me Anaya, loved it, xo I Am Anaya August 19, 2022 at 4:24 PM Thank you, Mystic Rose. I love your new look! XO

Victor Buhagiar August 16, 2022 at 12:55 PM This is an interesting article, unfortunately I know very little about US history. Strange I wrote a poem on bison. I Am Anaya August 19, 2022 at 4:21 PM Neither do most American's Victor! My next article will be on September the 16th, Mexican Independence Day! Send the title or date of your poem on bison. I would be thrilled to read it!

Bill Baker August 16, 2022 at 8:40 AM Thank you my friend, I Am Anaya, for sharing this wonderful poem of the Apache people and the Ga-An Dance. It brought back memories of the stories my mother told me as a child. My mother was born on an Apache reservation in Globe, Arizona in 1926. Though not Apache, as a child she learned much from the other children. I enjoyed this well written and informative poem. Hugs, Bill May the Spirit be with you. I Am Anaya August 16, 2022 at 10:37 AM A fascinating heritage Bill, I'm sure the stories must have been traditional and unforgettable when you were a child. You must share with us! Hugs, and also with you Bill

Anil Deo August 14, 2022 at 7:48 AM I thought grandfather Spirit didnt want my Response - too long? Too true ... But it's here. Shalom shalom! Live on! Surviving ... (+ Thriving) is sweet lifegiving "revenge" I Am Anaya August 20, 2022 at 10:50 AM Many are having issues with my site! It's not personal Anil! I love dance, I grew up dancing as part of The Ballet Folklorico De Esteban Coronado! Cultural dances. This photo a gift, inspired the poem! The history is from an article. Thank you,

Anil Deo August 14, 2022 at 7:27 AM O. Oh ... O my heart. O the peoples, Oh the bison. How they were finally cut down by unusual blades called rail &:tracks. Only 19 were left. A british donor, "Smithson museums" helped save all of today's CHIKDREN /bison from these mere 19. O great Grandfather Spirit prevails in the Living. The Apache yet live on. Codebreakers, too I Am Anaya August 16, 2022 at 10:30 AM Bison's, trains, blades. Same fate! I do know that in the 1830's The Cherokee Nation, forced off their land...Onto the "TRAIL OF TEAR'S" over 1000 miles into Oklahoma territory, exhausted, diseased, or starved to death! Be well Anil, thank you for your kind visit! ~Anaya

Silpika Kalita August 13, 2022 at 8:53 PM Amen to this spectacular share, so rich in cultural vibes and simultaneously so blissful to know about such a beautiful community. Just splendid! I Am Anaya August 17, 2022 at 7:02 PM Thank you, Silpika!

I Am Anaya August 13, 2022 at 8:19 PM Andrea: what I wrote at your poem on Apache From: Andrea Dietrich you are all such lovely people!! Me: *after a few tries of posting a comment, Andrea has soup mailed her comment to me. Thank you, Andrea for your sweet comment, I know it is well appreciated! Hugs xx ~Anaya

Evelyn Judy Buehler August 13, 2022 at 4:57 PM So much fascinating information is packed in this wonderful verse, detailing the rich, cultural history of the Apache people. Thank you for sharing this delightful work, Anaya. Evelyn :) I Am Anaya August 13, 2022 at 7:56 PM It's my pleasure, I try to be informative and as interesting as I can. I am learning along, Evelyn. Have a good evening! Hugs

Joseph May August 12, 2022 at 5:14 PM Glad the Apaches still hold on to some traditions, So sad that a lot of their culture was suppressed I Am Anaya August 13, 2022 at 7:58 PM Thank you, Joseph for your remarks, I appreciate them! ~Anaya

Harry Horsman August 10, 2022 at 2:35 AM I appreciate poetry like this, Anaya not only the wonderful way you bring the history the culture, to so many folk and me. The poetry also is amazing, the bonus i'm learning...Thanks you. I Am Anaya August 13, 2022 at 7:59 PM It's my pleasure, I try to be informative and as interesting as I can. I am learning along, harry horsman. Have a good evening! Blessings

Susan Lawrence August 4, 2022 at 4:19 PM Hi Anaya, I recognized Rico's photo right away and what a treat to read your accompanying poem! You have brought the GA-AN to life. I have witnessed many Coming of Age Ceremonies of the Apache and there is nothing quite like it. The power, the challenge, the community coming together. The Crown Dancers are unique and magical. The sound their bells make when they dance and the the calls they make coming from deep in their lungs fill the air. It is haunting and beautiful. Blessings, Susan :) I Am Anaya August 4, 2022 at 5:36 PM The fondness and appreciation, the way you speak of the GA-AN, shines through vividly and convincingly in the way you portray your experience and longtime personal relationship. I appreciate your insight and passion. Perhaps next April, I'll have the honor of participating in the rich cultural event! Sil n'zhoo Susan Lawrence! ~Anaya

Rico Leffanta August 4, 2022 at 11:50 AM Enjoyed and Fav'd! What distinguishes Apaches from other Native Americans is a belief that they originated in the ocean rather than the centre of the earth - a "strange" belief for desert tribes! Aloha! I Am Anaya August 4, 2022 at 3:31 PM Glad you enjoyed Rico. I hope I did justice to such sacred events! I came across a children's video on these traditional ocean beliefs. Pre-dating these traditions were Japan's myths, similar. I'll get back to you on that subject matter. Aloha!

Heidi Sands August 4, 2022 at 7:25 AM I enjoyed this. Interesting. I have a pet named Apache :) I Am Anaya August 4, 2022 at 3:32 PM Awesome, curious to know what kind of pet. Too cute!

Tom Cunningham August 4, 2022 at 3:27 AM A brilliant informative verse. Anaya, I enjoyed reading it. Tom I Am Anaya August 4, 2022 at 3:36 PM It's my pleasure, I try to be informative and as interesting as I can. I am learning along, Tom. Have a good one! Hugs