Apache: The Sacred Path to Womanhood

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Summary: This is a fine pictoral essay on the Apache Puberty Ceremony
Review: John Annerino portrays the Apache Puberty Ceremony, known as Na ih es, with a pictoral essay in a way that shows the sacredness of this rite. In "Dreams and Journeys", the first third of the book, the author tells of the experiences that brought him to the Apache. In "Images"(the reason I would recommend adding Sacred Path to Womanhood to your library), he takes you through "the Sunrise Ceremony" from the time they dress the girl to the point where she is filled with power and becomes White Painted Woman and blesses her people. Included are glossary terms and an extensive bibliography. In Annerino, I see respect for the Apache(Ndee). I recommend this book particularly for girls approaching and who have recently come into puberty, of any cultural background.

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Summary: Stunning! August 12, 1999.
Review: What a beautiful book. It's really stunning. I'm envious. I hope the publisher does as well with it as I think they should.

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Summary: Wonderful. August 12, 1999.
Review: What a wonderful book. APACHE is beautiful.

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Summary: APACHE is magical.
Review: When we hear the word Apache we often think of "savage" because that's how these Native Americans were callously portrayed by Hollywood in movies of the Wild West. So I was especially attracted the book entitled, APACHE: The Sacred Path to Womanhood by John Annerino. It's a beautiful book. When you turn each page, you can see and feel the magic in Annerino's beautiful color photographs - how Annerino manages to capture the magic of the ceremony of a young Apache girl who becomes "the mother of the Apache." You can also read about the Apache's life and history in Annerino's book, including the legendary Geronimo, and Annerino's own poignant experience among the Apache today. Annerino does not hide behind the mask of the New Age and writes openly, "I'm not Native American. I do not claim to have quarter-Cherokee blood ancestors." Yet, there is a profound spirituality in Annerino's writing I found extraordinary. Annerino also explains how difficult it is for Native Americans to maintain their traditions: "Few Native Americans were as fortunate as the Apache to survive the holocaust [of Native America] with their spiritual traditions intact...passed on from one generation to the next." Take a journey, and experience the magic of the Apache's coming of age ceremony, in this wonderful new book.