An Apache girl is painted with sacred clay and corn meal during her Sunrise Dance on the San Carlos Reservation Arizona USA
An Apache girl is painted white with sacred clay and corn meal during her Sunrise Dance a first menstruation rite the San Carlos Indian Reservation Arizona USA She is painted by a Mountain Spirit Gaan or Crown Dancer and the staff in her hand symbolises longevity Other Crown Dancers dance around her and beside her dances her godfather The painting of the girl is both a blessing and an enactment of certain parts of the Apache creation myth During the rites the girl becomes Changing Woman a mythical female figure and comes into possession of her healing powers The rites are supposed to prepare the girl for adulthood and to give her a long and healthy life without material wants
Size: 5588px × 3702px
Photo credit: © Anders Ryman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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