162 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 196 



young adulthood, adulthood, and old age. It is firmly believed 

 that old age is within the reach of anyone as long as he does nothing 

 to provoke a supernatural force to kill him. The immediate and 

 apparently inevitable reaction to the death of a young person is 

 "He did something wrong," or "His power was weak." Death before 

 old age is feared because it is unexpected and because it reinforces 

 the belief in a basically hostile universe. Death during old age is 

 "as it should be" because what is desired has become a reality, and 

 something approaching victory over evil has been accompHshed. 

 Thus, the enviable old person is one who has avoided crippling illness 

 and death by staying on good terms with the supernatural. Con- 

 versely, he who is constantly sick or comes to an early end has obvious- 

 ly failed in this respect. Apaches do not dread old age; they consider 

 it an achievement. 



Old people are treated with great respect. It is thought best not 

 to provoke them into using their assumed power in a vengeful way, 

 and their advice is sought regularly on matters of importance. They 

 also enjoy the leisure that comes with economic security. (In 

 virtually every case, old people are supported by their daughter's 

 families.) In addition, the aged fill prestigious ceremonial and 

 social roles. Old men assume such positions as imputed clan leaders, 

 nan tan at na ih es, or head drummer at cming ceremonies. Old 

 women take an active part in family and clan affairs and may be 

 chosen to be na ihl esn. In brief. Western Apache culture rewards 

 longevity. By instructing the pubescent girl how to live safely in a 

 world of threatening supernatural forces — by giving her power, and 

 by stressing the need for prayers and taboo observance — na ih es 

 shows her how this reward may be attained. 



The power to reach old age is vested in the girl through a complex 

 set of symbols. She is provided with a walking cane to use when, as 

 an old woman, she has difficulty getting about. The downy eagle 

 feather in her hair will cause her to live until she herself turns gray. 

 In phase V, she passes through the stages of life by running around the 

 cane four times. Most important of all, she herseK becomes Changing 

 Woman; the recognized source and giver of "many years." 



The eagle feathers attached to the cane protect the girl from 

 certain illnesses, and the turquoise will cause her prayers "to be 

 heard." Throughout na ih es she is instructed to pray to Changing 

 Woman for long life ; thus, the crucial connection between prayers and 

 attaining longevity is established. 



The need for taboo observance is emphasized during the four holy 

 days that follow na ih es, when the girl is not permitted to wash, 

 scratch herself, nor drink from a container. These restrictions are 

 symbolic of countless others she will have to obey as an adult. She 



