Bear Dance

George Catlin, Bear Dance, hand-colored lithograph, 1844, Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Bear Dance is a Native American ceremonial dance that occurs in the spring. It is a ten day event to strengthen social ties within the community, encourage courtship, and mark the end of puberty for girls.^[1]

For the Utes, it is a ten-day event of dancing, feasting, games, horse racing, and gambling. It is one of the oldest Ute ceremonies. The bear symbolizes leadership, strength, and wisdom. A group of men have played musical rasps for the dance.^[1]

References

1 2 Pritzker, Barry (2000). "Utes". A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford University Press. pp. 242–246. ISBN 978-0-19-513877-1.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[Pritzker2000-1] 1 2 Pritzker, Barry (2000). "Utes". A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford University Press. pp. 242–246. ISBN 978-0-19-513877-1.

Native American dances
Pow wow–associated	Fancy Gourd Dance Grass Hoop Jingle dress Northern Traditional Straight (Southern Traditional)
Traditional/Ceremonial	Bear Dance Booger Dance Buffalo Deer Ghost Dance Shalako Stomp Sun Dance Turkey
Regalia	Bustle Roach
Ensembles	American Indian Dance Theatre Inu-Yupiaq
Related	Music Religion