Native American Religion
Apache Burial Rituals
Upon the death of a member of the tribe, the Apache wrap up the body of the dead corpse and move it into the cavity left by a small rock or tree. Therefore, although bodies are already cramped into very small places, the rock or tree that was formerly there is again rolled back into it's original position. After this, stones are placed around the place of burial to keep away coyotes or other animals. Loved ones mourn for their lost one for a period of 30 days, all of which they "howl" once a day, as a sign of great respect and honor.
Sunrise Ceremony
The Apache Sunrise Ceremony, is a coming of age ceremony for young girls. It is a four day event which glorifies the first menstral cycle of an Apache woman. This ceremony has religious connotations because it is purposed to allow the young girl recieving the ceremony to become closer to "The White Painted Woman, and the symbol of womanhood she represents".
The Sunrise Ceremony is very complex because many rituals lead up to the actual ceremony. For example, rituals include, The Dressing Ceremony, The Sunrise Dance, The Massaging, the Crown Dance, and the Painting Ceremony.
On the actual day of the ceremony, the girl is woken up at sunrise, and led to the dance grounds where she will continue to dance for about six hours as the medicine man, sings over her. After the series of rituals are performed on the girl, she then becomes, the "living embodiment of the white painted woman". Because of this, the tribe believes that she contains the powers of the White Painted Woman and therefore, in between rituals, members of the tribe will go to her for blessings and her power to heal. Finally, when healing tribesmen, the young girl will lift her arms upward four times, never actually touching the patient.
