JOE TOHONNIE Jr. and WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE CROWN DANCERS - INDIAN VILLAGE - Day 3

JOE TOHONNIE Jr. and WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE CROWN DANCERS - INDIAN VILLAGE Round 2 - Day 3

“The Sacred and Its Sacredness Are Alive and Well through the Wisdom and Ceremonies of the Elders”

The Evening Dance Ceremony is a Blessing for all in need of Solace and Spiritual guidance by Joe Tahonie Jr. summoned the creator with prayer and the Crown dancers blessed the Indian Village Arena and People attending the event.

The Chants and Dancing invited the Thunder Spirits with Lightning with a torrential rain blessing the people and purifying all negativity.

There are five Crown Dancers, including four masked dancers representing the directions of north, south, east, and west. And a fifth dancer, the clown, who protects the others by driving away evil spirits with the sound of his hummingbull-roarer, a thin piece of wood suspended from a string and swung in a circle.

Joe Tahonie Jr. Explains the significance of the White Mountain Crown Dance and the Blessings they perform. https://nm.pbslearningmedia.org/resou... Joe Tahonie Jr., White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers, ExpoNM, Native Media Network

Crown Dancing is a very old and sacred dance tradition. According to Apache belief, the dance was taught to the Apache by the mountain spirits as a means of healing. The Crown Dancers are the Gaan or mountain spirits. Apache’s believe that Usen, the Creator, sent the Gaan to the Apache to teach them to live in harmony.

The dancers decide what symbols to put on their crowns. Symbols often honor forms in nature, and many crowns include the Apache cross to signify the four sacred directions. Some crown headdresses are adorned with eagle feathers, because the eagle is sacred to the Apache. Lightning, another sacred symbol, is often painted on the bodies of Apache Crown Dancers.
The dancers are not allowed to talk to one another, so they communicate with their sticks during the dance.

The White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers ceremony is a ritual where the dancers embody the Gaan (Mountain Spirits) through masks and ornate wooden crowns to celebrate community and tradition, often performed during a Sunrise Dance (coming-of-age ceremony) for young Apache women. The five dancers include a "clown" and others representing cardinal directions, using their movements and dances to influence weather, bring blessings, heal the sick, and protect the village.
PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF CROWN DANCE.
• Spiritual Connection:
The dancers, known as the Gaan, act as spiritual messengers, channeling the sacred power of the Mountain Spirits to the community.
• Blessings and Protection:
The ceremony is performed to bless the newly initiated girl, purify the village, influence the weather, and protect the community from evil spirits.
• Community and Tradition:
The dance celebrates and reinforces community bonds, honors ancestors, and passes on traditional Apache wisdom.
The Dancers and Regalia
• Embodiment of the Gaan:
Dancers wear black masks and elaborate, symbolic wooden crowns adorned with mirrors and sometimes feathers.
• The Five Dancers:
• A group of five dancers are involved:
• Four Directional Dancers: Represent the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West).
• The Clown: A fifth dancer who is a messenger, guide, and performer of specific blessings.

• Bonfire and Music:
• The dance typically takes place around a bonfire at night, accompanied by singing and drumming from a group of men.

• Sacred Herbs and Symbols:
• Sacred herbs, like cattail pollen, are used for blessings, and symbols such as lightning are painted on the dancers' bodies.

The Indian Village at the New Mexico State Fair Is more than an attraction. It’s a powerful reminder of the deep roots and living cultures that make New Mexico unlike anywhere else. Don’t leave without a piece of Fry bread and a deeper appreciation for the people who’ve called this land home for generations.

The Indian Village at Expo New Mexico is a dedicated area within the fairgrounds in Albuquerque that celebrates the traditions, arts, and culture of New Mexico's Native American communities. It is a main feature of the annual New Mexico State Fair, which in 2025 will be held from September 4–14.
Experience the village
The village offers a variety of authentic cultural experiences for fairgoers:
• Dance and art demonstrations: Visitors can witness authentic Native American dances and art demonstrations.
• Entertainment by Native groups, offering Traditional, Rock, and Western music.
• Pueblo and Navajo Dancers, Azteca Dancers, Totonac Pole Flyers
• Indian Traders Market: The Indian Traders Market, showcases and sells authentic Native American art, jewelry, and crafts.
• Traditional foods: The Indian Village features Native cuisine, such as Indian fry bread, Navajo Tacos, Mutton Stew, Red & Green Chile,
• Cultural celebration: The village is described as more than just an attraction, but a powerful celebration of the deep roots and living cultures of New Mexico.