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Apache Tribe Traditions: The Significance of the Apache Healing Ceremony
An overview of Apache healing and blessing ceremonies by group, described only at a public level, with an explanation of why sacred details are not shared.
Spirituality and Stories
Ceremonies and Dances Examined
What is and is not part of Apache ceremonial life, including common mix-ups with other nations’ dances.
Apache Tribe Traditions: The Significance of the Apache Corn Dance
Corn dances are mainly a Pueblo tradition. This article explains what is accurate about corn and pollen in Apache life, especially Jicarilla and Western Apache.
Apache Tribe Traditions: The Significance of the Apache Ghost Dance
The Ghost Dance movement of 1889-1890 and how Apache groups largely did not adopt it, with a clear separation from the Mountain Spirit (Gaan) dances.
Apache Tribe Traditions: The Significance of the Apache Nightly Ceremony
Why many Apache ceremonies continue through the night, described at a general level, with social dancing around fires and respect for what stays private.
Apache Tribe Traditions: The Significance of the Apache Rain Dance
Why 'Apache rain dance' is a doubtful label, and how rain and water actually appear in Apache prayer, stories and daily life without any invented named dance.
Apache Tribe Traditions: The Significance of the Apache Star Dance
There is no well-documented Apache 'Star Dance.' This article explains what sources say about stars, the night sky and seasonal knowledge in Apache life.
Apache Tribe Traditions: The Significance of the Apache Sun Dance
How the Plains Sun Dance differs from Apache ceremonies, the link through the Plains Apache, and why most Apache groups did not hold a Sun Dance.
Apache Tribe Traditions: The Significance of the Sun Dance
The history of the US ban on the Sun Dance among Plains nations, its eventual revival, and why the ceremony is often wrongly tied to all Apache peoples.
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Spiritual Leaders Medicine people and ceremonial leadership, described with restraint. Ceremonies and Sacred Life Ceremony, regalia and honoring the dead, at a public level only. Legends and Oral Tradition Apache stories, holy beings and the values they teach. Spiritual Beliefs Public, general overviews of Apache belief and its ties to the land. Oral Tradition Storytelling as history, teaching and living tradition. Ceremonial Life Coming-of-age ceremonies, healing knowledge, music and dance, described with restraint. Rites of Passage Coming of age and life transitions among Apache peoples, at a public level.