COMING OF AGE: MESCALERO APACHE MAIDENS

This moving coming-of-age visual story introduces viewers to the rituals and families of two Mescalero maidens, Ashlee Belin and Malia Enjady, through a sacred tribal tradition where the girls are inducted into the community as women.

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Malia Enjady, silhouetted by the campfire

Malia Enjady, silhouetted by the campfire, dances during her Coming of Age Ceremony. © Jan Butchofsky

Crown Dancers.

Crown Dancer Blessings before the dance, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico © Jan Butchofsky

Crown Dancers circle campfire

Crown Dancers circle campfire, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache. The women also dance in support of the maiden. © Jan Butchofsky

Portrait of Malia Enjady,

Melia Enjady with ceremonial teepee, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico © Jan Butchofsky

Meet the Maiden.

Melia Enjady, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico ©Jan Butchofsky

Meet the Maiden, Ashlee Belin

Meet the Maiden, Ashlee Belin, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico ©Jan Butchofsky

Portrait of Ashlee Belin.

Ashlee Belin with ceremonial basket, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico © Jan Butchofsky

Community Blessings.

The maiden is blessed by her Medicine Man with her elders and Medicine Woman in support, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico © Jan Butchofsky

All Night Dance.

The maiden dances all night on the final night, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico © Jan Butchofsky

Mescalero Apache maiden, Malia Enjady

Mescalero Apache maiden, Malia Enjady runs four times each day of her puberty rites ceremony as a show of strength and endurance. © Jan Butchofsky.

The final day

On the final day at dawn, the maiden runs with her attendants after dancing all night. This is her final run of strength and endurance. © Jan Butchofsky.

Love of Community.

The women dance in support of the maiden, Coming Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico © Jan Butchofsky

Maiden Dances.

Maiden Dances with Crown Dancers, Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico ©Jan Butchofsky

Tribal Dance.

Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico © Jan Butchofsky

Camp

Ceremonial tipi (teepee), Coming of Age Ceremony, Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico. @Jan Butchofsky.

Midnight Camp

On the final night of the ceremony, the bonfire is ablaze. The maiden will dance all night beneath the starlight sky and emerge a strong woman. ©Jan Butchofsky

CEREMONY by Jan Butchofsky: A Mark Berndt film. from Jan Butchofsky on Vimeo.

A JAN BUTCHOFSKY/MARK BERNDT FILM

Discover the story behind CEREMONY in this Mark Berndt film.

“A powerful collection created with the technical confidence of a photojournalist and the heart of a storyteller.”

News & Events

Featured

Santa Fe Airport Features Works by Jan Butchofsky in “Fire: Ceremony & Spectacle” Exhibition

I’m excited to share that five of my photographs from the Ceremony collection are featured at the Santa Fe Regional Airport in the Fire: Ceremony & Spectacle exhibition, running from August 9th to October 24th. The exhibit explores fire’s power and symbolism. My images capture the sacred Mescalero Apache Coming of Age Ceremonies, reflecting on tradition, resilience, and transformation.

View CEREMONY as a virtual tour at Edition ONE Gallery.

CEREMONY IN THE NEWS:

Featured

A Jan Butchofsky/Mark Berndt Film

Discover the story behind my photography project CEREMONY: Coming of Age | Mescalero Apache Maidens as revealed in this newly released Mark Berndt film.

Ceremony Wins 2022 SATW Western Chapter Gold Award for best photo-illustrated article

I am honored to have received the 2022 Gold Award for best Photo-Illustrated Article by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) western chapter for the article CEREMONY: COMING OF AGE | MESCALERO APACHE MAIDENS (AG23, Issue 02).