Summary: The ceremonies that are conducted as a part of Apache puberty rituals have been handed down throughout family lines and from tradition. Learn about isolation rituals for young women and hunting walks for young men with help from a tribal historian in this free video on Apache culture.
Nancy McGown Minor is a historian of the Lipan Tribe of Texas. She graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio and has a master’s degree from Texas State University in San Marcos....read more
"Shonda hello, my name is Bernard Barcena and I am the tribal chairman for the Lipan Apache tribe of Texas. I would like to talk a little bit about the Apache puberty ceremonies. Those ceremonies that were given have been handed down from different peoples to the people through their family lines and from the traditions of their people. The time for the females to come that was a time of creation, the most powerful time for the females though because they were actually getting ready to be able to give that great gift of life that would happen and basically our ways were that the clan mothers, the mothers would take a girl when it was time for her and then they would instruct her in the ways to behave as a young lady and to behave as a woman and it was all good like that. Usually a wikiup would be made, a small wikiup for one person and it would be made in such a way that the young girl would be able to go and be isolated there. A fire would be built and when that fire as it would be built that girl would be in her dwelling place and for four days she would be there isolated. The young boys after they get to a certain age it was time for them to be little warriors and I know like for the boys they would learn how to do a hunting walk so as not to leave certain footprints. They would learn how to have use of stealth. They would learn ways of endurance where they would take water in their mouths and run long distances without drinking it. They would discipline themselves in ways for instance like on a bow hunt if they would dig themselves a hole and hey would bury themselves like that the deer would come all around them and they would pop right up and hunt them. They would know which plants to eat in order to be able to sustain themselves. They were able to live off the land and they had that knowledge of the land like that and the boys were geared up for being able to go out and provide for their families as hunters and it was a warrior life. It was a life that was based that everything that they did was glory to their people and to their God. So again I am very grateful for being able to be here and share these things with you. I am Bernard Barcena. I am the tribal chairman for the Lipan Apache tribe of Texas and until i see you again donjour."
eHow Article: About Apache Puberty Rituals
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Comments
mayaglenn said
on 5/10/2009 Apache Voice - so I wonder - do YOU speak for all Apache now?At least Mr. Barcena has the courage to identify himself.He created this video with the intention of providing a starting place for others to know and understand your culture. If you can do better - then contact me and we will see how YOU come across on film. Or do you prefer to hide in the shadows of anonymity and criticize like a howling coyote? Show your strength and come into the light.
mayaglenn said
on 4/23/2009 How incredibly insensitive and rude. Do you know Bernard? I think not.Who are you to say what is appropriate or not?He gives no tribal secrets away, but rather speaks in respectful terms.If you can do better, then make your own film and submit it.I dare you - naysayer.
mayaglenn said
on 4/23/2009 Depshado - if you had listened to the entire video, you would have heard Bernard say exactly that "If you want to know about an Apache ceremony, the best way is to attend one". He even mentions that different tribes had different customs.Perhaps Bernard's intentions in making these videos was to bring light to the Lipan Apache people.
depshado said
on 4/20/2009 First off the mini wickiup shown in the video would catch on fire if anyone started a fire in it. Second, lumping all Apaches together is like saying all Fords are alike. Apaches have many bands that comprise different families. We all have puberty ceremonies but like a thanks giving dinner, the rituals at a family gathering will be different and are dependent on the tradition of that family. I have never seen a display of a Catholic altar or Jewish bar mitzvah in a museum. By displaying and iconizing Apache traditions and culture, the general public is educated with misinformation and conceptualizes all Apache People as primitive. If you want to know about an Apache ceremony, the best way is to attend one, but be as respectful as you would entering a church, synagogue, or mosque. I do not know what Bernard�s intentions were making this video. Most tribes have a protocol and a committee
lipan435 said
on 4/20/2009 Mr Barcena gives a good example of how NOT to do an interview. He represents his Canary island ansestors well by doing this interview at a mission built by his people, the Spaniards. This pubery ceremony is sacred and is not appropriate for this fella to be talking about. This is a womens place. The hunting or warriors hunting or hiding in a hole tactic is one maybe used by Canary islanders but certainly not one used by our people the Lipan Apache. Lipan Apaches are a very proud and history rich people which makes one wonder why it seems so difficult for Barcena to speak. Be careful what you hear. Like in this case it is appearant where he speaks from. It was not from his heart.