170 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 196 



aware of the interests, aspirations, and solicitudes they share with 

 one another. Na ih es strengthens communal solidarity by uniting 

 the people under the aegis of a common system of sentiments. 



Na ih es encourages "moral" behavior. — Apaches think that the 

 achievement of life objectives is wholly "honorable" and "good." 

 Consequently, na ih es, which isolates four all-important life objec- 

 tives, has a profound effect on the moral attitudes of the community. 

 At na ih es, parents tell their children: "It is good to have those things 

 so you can grow up to be old. Be strong and friendly. People will 

 always like you if you grow up old that way." In stressing the need 

 for "virtuousness," na ih es incites compliance with the normative 

 standards of ethical behavior. Once, after attending na ih es, a 

 young Apache told me: "I've been getting into trouble lately, but 

 I'll behave good from now on. I sure liked that dance. I'll be like 

 that girl who got that power." In the absence of a codified system 

 of ethics, na ih es serves a vital pm'pose. It strengthens belief in those 

 values which are the most important for the smooth integration of 

 Apache society and the psychological stability of the individual. 



Na ih es is symbolic of an ideal state of happiness which Apaches 

 claim actually existed long ago in mythological times. "In those 

 days," the people say, "everything was good." The myth of Chang- 

 ing Woman, and her personification by the pubescent girl, link na ih es 

 to the past and thus provide the raison d'etre for its existence in the 

 present. The ultimate justification and sanction for na ih es come 

 not from the ceremony itself but from the long cultural tradition of 

 which it is a product. An old man said to me: "Changing Woman 

 never died and she will always hve." 



GLOSSARY OF APACHE TERMS 



ba koh di yi ('She can perform mu*acles') — term applied to the pubes- 

 cent girl when, after na ih es, she heals a sick person. 



ba na ihl dih ('blessing her') — phase VII of na ih es, during which all 

 spectators bless the pubescent girl and na ihl esn by sprinkling 

 holy powder on them. 



bi gohji tal ('half-night dance') — social dances which precede na ih es, 

 held at the dance ground. 



bihl de nil ke ('ail alone, she dances') — phase I of na ih es, during 

 which the pubescent girl receives Changing Woman's power. 



bi keh ihl ze' ('she is dressed up') — brief ceremony on the evening 

 before na ih es, at which the medicine man bestows the ritual 

 paraphernalia on the pubescent girl. 



bi til tih ('night before dance') — social dance preceding na ih es, at 

 which the pubescent girl dances clad in her ceremonial attire. 



