 Before the dawn, they have gathered from the other places to celebrate a coming of age, the young girl. She dances, she faces east, the sun rises to her dance. The songs carry her feet, always the songs. They are blessings, prayers given by the con. Ancient messengers, teachers of the Apache way. The songs endure, they carry the stories. The singers tell it, hands clenched to the mouth, spreading the sound, feeling the feel. The Apache sunrise dance, naeas. This is a coming of age ceremony for Apache girl into a womanhood. Four days, little sleep, tests of endurance, strength, heart. This is her moment, her place. Family, friends, gather, celebrate. She receives lessons for a good life. She receives love and assurance. The gift of a thousand years of song. They are ancients. The songs and the stories carried on the tongues of our people share on the winter nights, around the fire, in the sweat lodge. During the ceremonies, the dancing. The con are the mountain spirits. They are the first teachers of the Apache way. When the crowns are worn, their power blesses the community through the dancers. The sacred ceremonies require their presence. The singer has learned his songs from others before him. There must always be four songs. Four is a sacred number. The four directions. The four seasons. The four colors. This guy is our brother. He awakes us at dawn. He sings with the wind. His tears are blessings to our corn, squash and acorns. The rain calls our plants out of the earth. We tend to the caterpillars and weeds, but the rain makes them grow. We watch for the rainbow to say it is through. It is always important to give thanks for the gifts. The rainbow dance is our expression of gratitude. The drum and the voice are the main instrument of the Apache. There are others. The flute was traditionally used for courting. Apache artists and storytellers Michael Lakapa's illustrations from his book The Apache Flute Player tell the story of a young man who is his beloved. It is said that a boy who plays a beautiful song on the flute can win the heart of a girl he seeks for his wife. The music enters her spirit within and causes her to fall in love. Ask an elder about an Apache concern and he or she might say the loss of traditions. Our culture has been passed down orally through our stories and music. Some say the young people are not interested in keeping our traditions alive. Teachers like Bonnie Lewis are dedicated to passing our songs and our stories on to the next generation. The sunrise dance is a Apache way to welcome a girl into a womanhood. The parents love the girl. They want this blessing upon her. At last, four days, the healing man guides her through the strong power. It is changing woman. There must be two camps, the girls' family and the sponsors. The food exchange honors each camp. They are gifts of love. It is time to take the food. A good man is chosen to dance in the front. He carries the tobacco, it represents prayer. When tobacco is smoked, you become part of the knowledge. They enter the camp and dance four songs in four places. The gifts are shared. They dance with the gifts. On the third day, 32 songs will be sung. Changing woman enters the girl's body while she dances next to her friend. The godmother replaces the friend and gives her support. The girl kneels and dances. It is the story of a changing woman being made pregnant by the sun. Nealine shows humility. You endure with power when you are unselfish. The girl lies down. The godmother massages the girl's muscles. This allows a changing woman to make the girl's body become soft. It can be molded to give her straightness, beauty and strength. The feet, the naïve, do it. The girl runs around the cane four directions. Her health is assured. On the fourth day, the sun rises. The paint is prepared for the blessing. The godfather takes the feathers. He dances. He paints the girl in four directions. He seals the lessons of a changing woman. The girl is pulled up by the feathers. She is returning from the spirit world. She accepts a role in the patchy life. And then it is ended. The father is so proud. He cries for his love and holds his daughter. She has endured great tests. She has grown through changing woman. She is ready for her next place in the patchy life.