Apache Crown Dance or Gaan Dance (also called Mountain Spirit, Crown Dance, Devil Dance) is an Apache ceremonial dance that is intended to protect the community from disease and enemies.
Apache Crown Dance or Gaan Dance (also called Mountain Spirit, Crown Dance, Devil Dance) is an Apache ceremonial dance that is intended to protect the community from disease and enemies.
01 · What it is
Dance
Live movement, rhythm, costume, or staged dramatic performance passed between generations.
02 · Where & name
Geography awaiting source
Add a cited source naming the region or community that carries it.
03 · How it is doing
□□□□ (Not yet assessed)
Documented in open cultural records, but no cited field assessment of its current vitality has been added here yet.
04 · Proof & reuse
2 cited sources
Every claim links to a public record below. Free to quote, teach, and share under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Chapter Takeaways
HistoryGaan dancers dance to songs, opening of the first one says:
Common Questions Answered on Record
What is apache crown dance in plain words?
Apache Crown Dance or Gaan Dance (also called Mountain Spirit, Crown Dance, Devil Dance) is an Apache ceremonial dance that is intended to protect the community from disease and enemies.
Where is apache crown dance practised or documented?
No verified geographic place has been linked on record yet — editors can add a cited place from the edit page.
What is the current condition of apache crown dance today?
□□□□ (Not yet assessed): Documented in open cultural records, but no cited field assessment of its current vitality has been added here yet.
How do I cite or share this apache crown dance entry?
Cite as: "apache crown dance." folkroom, https://folkroom.org/art-forms/apache-crown-dance, text CC BY-SA, with attribution.
Apache Crown Dance or Gaan Dance (also called Mountain Spirit, Crown Dance, Devil Dance) is an Apache ceremonial dance that is intended to protect the community from disease and enemies. Dancers became "the embodiment of the Mountain Spirits (the Gaan)"; they wear special masks and wands during the dance. The dance is performed by a group of five members, one of them a "clown", each having his specific role. The dance is performed "on the final night of the Sunrise Dance ceremony". The dance is described as following: 1
The Gaan dancers chant and keep beat with the same dance step as the girl, while in motion they lead the participant guests about the plaza. Eventually the girl follows the "clown" Gaan around the plaza and the guests fall in line after her. Upon returning to her original position, the Gaan surround the girl. The "clown" holds a mixture of ochre and corn pollen that is sprinkled or brushed over the girl by the other Gaan. Any remaining pollen may be emptied from the basket over her head and body. The Gaan bring a powerful spirituality to the ceremony as the Apache girl is transformed and attains womanhood. 1
History
Gaan dancers dance to songs, opening of the first one says: 1
Each Apache community has their own version of gaan history; they are usually told in the night before the ceremony or in the winter to instruct the children. It can be called "The Man Who Became a Gaan". 1
The text above is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Apache Crown Dance”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 licence. 1
apache crown dance is Apache ceremonial dance of protection, according to the structured record cited below. This entry was generated automatically from that record and has not yet been reviewed by a person familiar with the tradition. 2
