Apache Crown Dancers visit Ignacio

Friday - November 19, 2021 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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There are five Crown Dancers, four masked dancers representing the directions of north, south, east, and west.
The Crown Dancers are the Ga'an, or mountain spirits. Apaches believe that Usen, the Creator, sent the Ga'an to the Apache to teach them to live in harmony. There are five Crown Dancers, four masked dancers representing the directions of north, south, east, and west.
As stated by Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Events Coordinator, Marvin Pinnecoose, "these dancers are here to bring blessings – the songs they songs and the dances – they are good medicine."
An Apache crown dancer is silhouetted by the fire.
Community members and members of the Bison family dance alongside Southern Ute Culture Director, Marvin Pinnecoose; participants were encouraged to dance to the songs.
The Crown Dancers are the Ga'an, or mountain spirits. Apaches believe that Usen, the Creator, sent the Ga'an to the Apache to teach them to live in harmony. There are five Crown Dancers, four masked dancers representing the directions of north, south, east, and west.
Singers and dancers from the Jicarilla Apache Tribe were lit by soft firelight from the woodfire outside the multi-purpose building.
“The clown,” protects the others by driving away evil spirits, usually with the sound of his humming bull-roarer, a thin piece of wood suspended from a string and swung in a circle.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
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The Southern Ute Cultural Preservation Dept. hosted a performance from the Jicarilla Apache Crown Dancers, Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Southern Ute Multi-Purpose Facility. A meal was provided by the Armijo family. The singers and dancers performed outside the multi-purpose around a fire. Community members and families also danced around the perimeter of the crown dancers.

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