When the Earth
Was Like New
Western Apache Songs and Stories
Chesley Goseyun Wilson,
Ruth Longcor-Harnisch Wilson
and Bryan Burton
Click to listen!
ISBN 0-937203-56-4 Book/cassette
SET $29.95
ISBN 0-937203-57-2 Book/audio
CD SET $29.95
 In
this enlightening introduction to the history and culture of the
Apache people, including a pictorial essay on the girl's coming
of age ceremony, the Wilson family share their music, stories, skills
and life experience to reveal what it has meant to "grow up Apache"
in this century. Great-great grandson of the Chiricahua Apache Chief
Cochise and the White Mountain Apache Chief Hashkedasila (Chief
Diablo), and related to Geronimo, Chesley Goseyun Wilson was born
on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and raised in traditional
ways. He has devoted much of his life to the preservation and promotion
of Apache culture.
Chesley gives us a rare glimpse into the lifeways of the Apache
people, from the loving welcome given to a newborn baby, to the
challenging transformation to womanhood experienced by an Apache
girl during her important Nai'es coming of age ceremony. His songs
are the songs of a vibrant cultureŅancient and also very contemporary.
His words and voice are imbued with love for his heritage and especially
for the young people who might be inspired to re-dedicate their
lives to the ways of their grandparents. This is Chesley Goseyun
Wilson's precious gift, offered to all who seek knowledge and understanding
of the Apache Way.
The collection includes:
- 14 musical transcriptions of social, traveling, dance and game
songs and
- 3 musical transcriptions of Apache violin and flute pieces
- "Why We Have Night and Day"-A traditional story with songs
- 38 archival and contemporary photographs of instruments, ceremonies
and social life
- The Nai'es (Changing Womnan Ceremony) presented in careful detail
with numerous photographs
- Fully illustrated instructions for making and decorating the
Apache violin (a unique instrument made from the Century Cactus
plant) and bamboo flute
- Historical and cultural background about the Apache in general
as well as Chesley's family and mentors
- Map
- Complete background about each song, most of which have never
been published
- Traditional legends
The Companion Audio-CD or Cassette includes:
- every selection and more, including songs and Apache violin
pieces performed by Chesley Goseyun Wilson.
About the Authors
Chesley Goseyun Wilson, "Arizona Indian Living Treasure," and 1989
Heritage Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts, is a renowned
singer, storyteller, teacher, silversmith and woodcarver. He is
a craftsman and performer of the traditional Apache violin and flute.
The late Ruth Longcor-Harnisch Wilson was a teacher, musician,
performer and applied anthropologist.
Bryan Burton, of mixed Caddo/Choctaw and European descent, is the
author of Moving Within the Circle and Voices of the Wind. He is
Professor of Music Education at West Chester University (PA). (For
more complete bio of Bryan Burton see Moving Within the Circle.)
"Chesley Wilson...should be cherished and honored. (He) moves easily
into many different cultures because his art speaks to the deepest
levels of experience...." -Vine Deloria, Jr.
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