168 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 196 



It is a time when individuals no longer living on the reservation come 

 back to see their relatives and old friends. It is a time for gossip, 

 bartering, and announcing forthcoming events. For the young people, 

 it is a time for courting. People come to na ih es to "see the dance and 

 take it easy for a while and have a good time." One man said that, 

 for him, na ih es was "like a vacation." 



When surrounded by relatives, as he is at na ih es, the Apache feels 

 more secure than at any other time. He knows that if trouble should 

 befall, support is close at hand. He shares common interests with his 

 kinsmen and there is always a great deal to talk about. He is relaxed 

 and at ease. He jokes and boasts in a good-natured way. He is 

 cordial. He has a definite sense of belonging, a heightened awareness 

 of those ties which bind him to specific segments of the social organiza- 

 tion. One of the major adaptive functions of na ih es is that it con- 

 tributes significantly (if temporarily) to the psychological well-being 

 of the individual by creating an atmosphere conducive to the affirma- 

 tion of rapport between clan relatives. This results in an increased 

 sense of social membership and reinforced clan loyalties. 



Na ih es strengthens kinship obligations. — During the days that 

 precede na ih es, the reciprocal obligations which clan kinship entails 

 are put to a crucial test. Without assistance from clan relatives, the 

 ceremony cannot be held. Members of the pubescent girl's clan and 

 clan set are expected to contribute large quantities of food and help 

 make ready the dance ground. Na ihl esn's clan relatives are counted 

 on to give food and small sums of money. Preparation for the ceremony 

 stresses the need for economic cooperation between relatives and forces 

 them to recognize their mutual dependency. By demonstrating the 

 practical benefits to be had from the fulfillments of kinship obhgations, 

 na ih es confirms the effectiveness of the existing social order, and 

 encourages the individual to adhere all the more strongly to established 

 patterns of Idnship behavior. This has the obvious adaptive function 

 of promoting clan unity. 



Na ih es establishes reciprocal obligations between unrelated persons. — 

 Apaches say that one of the most important aspects of na ih es is the 

 affirmation of the shi ti ke relationship. As previously noted, this bond 

 requires the members of the pubescent girl's family, clan, and (theo- 

 retically) clan set to help those of n^ ihl esn whenever the need arises, 

 and vice versa. 



Ordinarily, such obligations exist only between blood and clan 

 relatives. Shi ti ke functions adaptively by creating reciprocities 

 between nonrelatives, thus greatly increasing the number of persons 

 who can be relied on for support. The shi ti ke relationship makes 

 "kinsmen" of individuals who are totally unrelated to each other. 



