Apache NA'II'EES “Sunrise ceremony”

From girl to woman

Apache NA'II'EES orSunrise Ceremony

Na’ii’ees is a rite of passage for girlssoon after they reach puberty

It is a four day festival that recreates the Apache creation myth and acknowledges

the four stages of a woman’s life (that of infancy, girlhood, adolescence, and

womanhood)

When is the rite conducted?

The Na'ii'ees, or Sunrise Ceremony is held soon after a girl’s first menstruation as it marks the transition from childhood into adulthood. The word Na’ii’ees translates in to “preparing her” or “getting her ready”

Although men are part of the process, the ceremony is exclusively for females.

It is becoming more common for multiple families to celebrate the rituals together to help with the cost and divide the great amount of labor involved.

Who Participates?

NA'II'EES orSunrise Ceremony History

The ceremony is based on the Apache creation myth, particularly the part when the Changing

Woman, a.k.a.The First Woman, White Painted Woman,

Esdzanadehe became impregnated by both the Sun God and the Water/Rain God and gives birth to

twins.

The Changing Woman raises the twins and teaches

them all an Apache needs to know. When they are fully grown they rid

the world of many evils.

The Changing Woman is a strong symbol for the Apache people and during the ceremony some

of her power is granted to the participants.

PreparationsPreparations begin up to a year prior to the ceremony with:

the creation of the elaborate costume,

education in the history and rituals of the Apache,

exercises to increase the girl’s physical endurance.Food is prepared for days or weeks ahead of time to feed all of those

attending for four days.

Reasons for the ceremony

It deeply connects the participant to her spiritual heritage

It teaches her about what it means to physically become a woman

It teaches her about the communal demands of womanhood

http://www.webwinds.com/yupanqui/apachesunrise.htm#purpose

A. She connects by re-enacting the Creation myth, and personifying White Painted Woman.B. She gains command over her weaknesses

and the dark forces of her nature.C. knows her own spiritual power, sacredness

and her goodness. D. She also  may discover her own ability to

heal.

I. The Ceremony Connects Her Deeply to her Spiritual Heritage

http://www.webwinds.com/yupanqui/apachesunrise.htm#purpose

A. The focus on what it physically means to be a woman:

MenstruationSexuality

Physical Strength and Endurance

The rigorous physical training she must go through in order to survive four days of dancing and running

is intense and prepares her for the ordeal of womanhood

II. The Ceremony Teaches About What It Physically Means to Become a Woman

A. The need to work hard,

B. To meet the needs and demands of others,

C. To exercise her power for others' benefit,

D. To present herself to the world, even when suffering or exhausted, with dignity and a

pleasant disposition.

Her temperament during the ceremony is believed to be the primary indicator of her temperament throughout her future life. 

http://www.webwinds.com/yupanqui/apachesunrise.htm#purpose

III. The Ceremony Teaches about the Communal Demands of Womanhood

The CeremonyThe ceremony takes place over four days. It is a time of prayer vigils, fasting, running, chanting

and prolonged dancing.

It will be an ordeal to test all of the qualities needed to be a fully recognized woman in the

tribe.

Regardless of the ordeal the girls is expected to maintain her composure and keep an even

temperament.

The CeremonyDuring the ceremony the girl is guided by a medicine man/woman and her godmother.

These sponsors direct the girls through four days that include:

Praying and fasting for long periods of time.

Running towards the east at dawn and circling around baskets filled with offerings. This symbolizes the birth of the sun.

Running each day in the four cardinal directions to symbolize the four stages of life. (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood)

Being massaged by her sponsor to “mold” her into the likeness of the Changing Woman.

being anointed with pollen as a symbol of fertility and painted with a combination of cornmeal and clay to look like the Goddess.

The Ceremony Continued

The participant is covered with pollen as a symbol of fertility

The Ceremony Continued

Hours spent alone to pray and meditate in a lodge/tipi created by male relatives

Having buckets of candy and sweets poured over her head to symbolize prosperity.

Singing, chanting and dancing through most of the first three nights and for the entire fourth night.

The participant is painted with clay to make her resemble the Changing Woman

Ceremony Conclusion

The participants are considered especially holy for four days after the ceremony and continue to receive/bless well wishers.

They give blessings to heal the sick to test the participant’s healing powers. If any of the sick are significantly healed the girl may become a healer in the tribe/community.

Conclusion

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/countries-places/united-states/us-apachegirl-pp.html

The example below is fairly typical, although each local tribe conducts the

ritual somewhat differently.

After the ceremony the participant is recognized as a woman in the tribe!