No.^TSr* ^^^' ^^^'^ ^^ CHANGING WOMAN — BASSO 141 



escape from the watchful eyes of parents and relatives. Second, 

 tulipay and beer are easily obtained. Third, because there are so 

 many people at bi goh ji tal, and so much noise and activity, it is easy 

 to wander away from the dance ground unnoticed. 



Although bi goh ji tal is a festive event, serious trouble can result 

 from too much drinking. Violent quarrels and fights may occur, a 

 source of deep concern to all the people directly connected with na ih es. 

 The girl's father and na ihl esn try to anticipate trouble, but often 

 this is impossible; they are glad when the last bi goh ji tal comes to a 

 close. 



Throughout the preparation of the dance ground, the pubescent 

 girl has been inconspicuous. She may help with the cooking, and 

 dance a little at bi goh ji tal, but she does not exert herself. Na ih es 

 is near and she has been told to conserve her strength. 



THE DAY BEFORE NA IH ES 



On the day before na ih es, four important events take place at or 

 close to the dance ground. In order of their occurrence, these are: 



Gish ih zha ha aldeh ('cane, it is made') — a sweat bath, held in the 

 morning, which is attended by male relatives of the pubescent girl 

 and na ihl esn, and at which the medicine man, assisted by two or 

 three old men, makes the ritual paraphernalia for na ih es. 



Nil sla ih ka ('food, exchanged') — a substantial gift of prepared 

 food, presented in the early afternoon to the relatives of the pubescent 

 girl by those of na ihl esn. The following day, directly after na ih es, 

 the girl's relatives reciprocate by making a similar gift to na ihl esn. 



Bi keh ihl ze' ('she is dressed up') — a short ceremony, at dusk, at 

 which the medicine man sings four songs and, with the help of na ihl 

 esn, presents the pubescent girl with the paraphernalia she carries 

 and wears during na ih es. 



Bi til tih ('night before dance') — a half-night dance, differing from 

 bi goh ji tal in that the medicine man sings 12 or more songs, and the 

 pubescent girl joins in the dancing, fully clothed in the costume she 

 wears for na ih es. 



GISH IH ZHA HA ALDEH 

 ('cane, it is made') 



The Apache sweat bath — called ta chih — is by no means associated 

 only with the preparation of paraphernalia for na ih es. It is held 

 on many occasions, sometimes purely for enjoyment, but usually to 

 get clean before a major religious ceremony. Regardless of its pur- 

 poses, the procedure at ta chih never varies. 



747-014—66 10 



