Apache Women’s Initiation and Divine Renewal

Ganns Performing a Dance after the Sunrise Dance Ceremony (White River, AZ)

The Ganns (Crown Dancers) represent deer and are believed to have supernatural powers; they dance the night after the Sunrise Dance ceremony, here held in White River, Arizona. (Photo: Courtesy of Ernestine Begay)

Girl Painted with Pollen (White River, AZ)

The day after the Sunrise Dance, the Crown Dancers paint the girl with pollen and bless her; afterwards she goes out to the community to paint and bless the people, here in White River, Arizona (Photo: Courtesy of Ernestine Begay)

Three Generations Watch a Ceremony (White River, AZ)

Grandmother and great-grandmother watch the ceremony in White River, Arizona (Photo: Courtesy of Ernestine Begay)