Apache Crown Dance facts for kids

Dancers performing the Gaan Dance

The Apache Crown Dance, also known as the Gaan Dance, is a very important traditional ceremony for the Apache people. It's a special dance meant to protect the community from sickness and enemies. During the dance, the performers become like "Mountain Spirits," who are called the Gaan. They wear unique masks and carry special sticks.

This dance is performed by a group of five people. Each person has a specific role. One of them is often called a "clown," but they are also a very important part of the ceremony. The Crown Dance usually happens on the last night of another important event called the Sunrise Dance ceremony.

What is the Crown Dance?

The Gaan dancers sing and move with a steady beat, just like the girl who is the focus of the ceremony. They lead the guests around a special area. Eventually, the girl follows the "clown" Gaan, and the guests follow her.

When they return to their starting place, the Gaan dancers gather around the girl. The "clown" holds a mix of a special red earth (ochre) and corn pollen. The other Gaan dancers gently sprinkle or brush this mixture over the girl. Any pollen left in the basket might be poured over her head and body. This part of the ceremony is very spiritual. It helps the Apache girl transform and become a young woman.

Who are the Gaan Dancers?

The Gaan dancers are believed to embody the Mountain Spirits. These spirits are very important in Apache beliefs. They are seen as protectors and helpers. The dancers wear tall, elaborate headpieces that look like crowns, along with special body paint. These costumes help them represent the powerful Mountain Spirits.

Each of the five dancers has a specific role in the ceremony. The "clown" Gaan, for example, often adds humor but also plays a key part in guiding the ceremony and interacting with the participants.

History of the Dance

The Gaan dancers perform to traditional songs. The first line of one of these songs says:

Each Apache community has its own stories about the history of the Gaan. These stories are often told the night before a ceremony or during the winter. They are a way to teach children about their culture and traditions. Sometimes, these stories are called "The Man Who Became a Gaan."

Images for kids

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  Apache Crown Dancers at Grand Canyon National Park

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  Dancers performing outdoors

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  Close-up of a Gaan dancer's costume

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  Gaan Dancers with traditional attire

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  Historic depiction of a female puberty ceremony

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  Poster for the Indian Court exhibit at the Golden Gate Exposition, 1939

See Also

• Apache
• Native American culture