The Sunrise Dance - PREVIEW

Purchase: http://www.der.org/films/sunrise-dance.html This documentary shows an ancient, sacred Apache ritual that has never before been filmed. The Sunrise Ceremony, which marks the passage from adolescence to adulthood for young Apache women, is disappearing under the pressures of cultural assimilation. This documentary focuses on the Sunrise Ceremony of 13-year-old Maureen Nachu, who lives on the Fort Apache Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona, and is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

The Sunrise Dance itself is a tremendous physical test, lasting four days. It proves that Maureen has the courage and strength of character to take her place in adult society. The dance is the strongest commitment a young Apache girl can make to her family and tradition. For Maureen, her family and her community, the ceremony is a reaffirmation of tribal identity and a celebration of the central role of women in Apache culture.

a video by Gianfranco Norelli
distributed by Documentary Educational Resources

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Native
• american
• Apache
• sweat
• lodge
• ritual
• dance
• women
• Indian
• sunrise
• Arizona
• documentary
• education

[nachumaureen]

Wow its been a long time since I've seen this video! A lot has changed since then both good and bad........

[ambinautic]

all females around that age in most cultures have ceramonies even us mexicans lol, the important thing i think is that those females feel important to their peeps(speciel)

[ApacheLife5465]

Why does everyone say this shouldn't be shown?? Is it because outsiders will see it or is it cause its record on tape? I'm just wondering. Cause I know at sunrise dances no one is turned away regardless of the skin color or who they are.

[CMeccamenza]

My Grandfather was a full blooded White Mountain Apache. I am very proud to be Apache/Navajo. And the Apache people who think that it is wrong to post these videos are stupid and stingy with their culture. If you aren't willing to share our culture with the world(non-Apaches) then how do you expect the world(non-Apaches) to respect us as a people?

[Tataxiv]

love the fact of actual footage

[n8ive42103]

KyeaH!! XD

[orlandoslovebird]

Not cool show dis stuff 2the world! Its very traditonal & sacred! If ppl want 2c it, they shud go c it 4themselves!

[ArkansasGillum]

This is very important..Thanks for posting

[jrudolfoable]

huh?

[mrmolestah]

I'm guessing this is from the early 90s?

[doogrisa]

im a tourist from pheonix. i like the white mountains. used to go there alot when i was a kid.