Bear Dance - Southern Ute Tribe
Bear Dance
If you have never heard of the Bear Dance, I would highly recommend a visit to the Southern Ute Tribe to partake of this wonderful tradition. The Reservation is open to the public and the Feast is complimentary.
The annual Bear Dance is held every spring and is a social function. The origin of the Bear Dance can be traced back to the fifteenth century when the Spanish first met the Ute. It is said, that when the first thunder in the spring was heard, it was time for the Bear Dance.
The origin of the Ute Bear Dance relates the time when two brothers were out hunting in the mountains and as they became tired, they laid down to rest. One of the brothers noticed a bear standing upright facing a tree and seemed to be dancing and making a noise while clawing the tree. Ute legends or stories remember the time when the elders asked the hunters to go out and gather meat. As they were out hunting, they encountered some small people who ran into the rocks in the hills. They told the elders about them and the elders told them that they were called cliff dwellers which according to archaeologists were called Anasazi, the ancient ones. The one brother went on hunting while the other brother continued to observe the bear. The bear taught the young man to do the same dance and also taught the young man the song that went with the dance.
He told the young man to return to his people and teach them the dance and songs of the bear. The songs according to legends show respect for the spirit of the bear and the respect to the bear spirit makes one strong. After a long winter, everyone was ready to be outside. The Bear Dance was one way which people could release their tensions. The men and women, as they entered the corral, would wear some sort of plumes which at the end of the fourth and final day, they would leave on a cedar tree at the east entrance of the corral. As the Ute’s say, leaving the plume on the tree was to leave your troubles behind and start your life anew. (Photo and BlockQuote: Compliments of The Southern Ute Tribe.)
So, if you happen upon the Southern Ute Tribe in the springtime, I urge you to take the time to camp out on this glorious reservation and enjoy the social meeting, music interaction, and dancing. Camping and showers is complimentary. However, I would suggest staying at the beautiful Southern Ute Casino. You will not be disappointed. Peace.
Videographer: @eaglespirit
Date: Spring 2017
Location: Ignacio, Colorado
GIF Props: @gavinthegreat
I bet that would be a amazing time... kinda like drum circle but with more dancing and longer
@davedickeyyall it's a friggen entire weekend of nonstop dancing and barely eating. More for single folks as they are there to dance out the others and win a mate. LMAO! I didn't write that in there ... Anyhoo, it's pretty much the same music over and over and people are power dancing.
Fuck me to tears... I dance like pee-wee Herman.. better take the lotion then...
LMFAO !! OMG !! I can't breathe I love that term so much! I may have to use it ... Did you say Lotion?? If you can't dance then we may have to get you an oxygen mask because that's what it feels like dancing non stop in the heat for days. LOL!!!
Love hearing / seeing unique things like this. Recommend that beyond simply inviting, prehaps include some information about how to get involved? I'm talking precise date/time for the next event would be nice.
Thank you for bringing your unique perspective here on steemit.
Hi @Klevn, first I would like to say thank you very much for your comment and support of my post. I appreciate all who stop by and make a comment and thoughtful suggestions. I will take your observation into account when/if I ever post something on events. I would like to point out that I am not of the Ute tribe. As posted previously I am 1/4 Apache and 1/4 Hopi. I was invited by friends of the Rez to stop by and found that people of many cultures attended by simply looking on the Southern Ute Rez website. As my writing points out, the Bear Dance takes place in the springtime and also on the Rez. In addition, I recommend staying at the Casino, although there is camping and bathroom/showers are provided. Nevertheless, if you do not wish to Google the Bear Dance for 2018, I have provided the link for your convenience. Again, I am not of the Ute Tribe and this was of my personal experience and thoughts on that experience. Being of the First Nation does not make me a pro on all ceremonies for all the different tribes of the world. Maybe I should place this disclaimer at the bottom of my First Nation posts? I am of the bloodline of medicine people, yet not of the the storytelling or Chief bloodline. I hope this clears your observation up a little bit. Also, there is no getting involved, the Tribe puts this together and all there is needed to do is show up. Blessings to you. Here is the link:
http://www.crazycrow.com/site/event/southern-ute-bear-dance/
Sorry didn't even think of a simple google search. And was not aware of your lineage. Thank you for providing the information. I just thought it would be useful to include it. I'm sure there are others that may not be thinking as clearly as possible on how to search for this, of course now it seems obvious ; )
Dearest @klevn, no worries and no need for apologies. I realize not everyone may understand lineage, tribes and such and you brought up some good points. I also had someone else suggest something along the same lines, instead of block quoting so much put into my own words. It gets very tricky when one is not of a specific tribe and I would then be looked on as main source of info. Within tribes there are those that are delegated for these things. So I am being very careful. Once more First Nation people come onto platforms such as Steemit, they will look upon this information and if I am out of line I will be called out so I would never want to take credit for other tribes or people's hard work and words. It's a sensitive situation. I am trying to provide as much information and maybe with your suggestion I can become clearer in the future. So thank you gain for your feedback. As long as I stick to the facts, I'll be okay and I am totally against plagiarism or taking credit for something, especially lineage history. A'oo
Amazing culture 😊, i felt those beats in my chest
WooHoo, you know what's up @abmakko! That's exactly what I wanted people to feel and you got it. Thank you for your appreciation and post. Blessings to you. xx
Fascinating story about small people, bears and a dance. I love stuff like this awesome work my friend.
@waternsnake101 What do you mean small people and bears? Are you being "funny?" LOL
Hey, don't make fun of my peeps. Thank you for the compliment and support my friend. Hugs.
Always my friend. I would like to see how you celebrate New Year there. I will be waiting for it and please check my new hair lol. Cheers!
@watersnake101, where? I am not Ute LMAO!! I am 1/4 Apache an 1/4 Hopi and the majority of First Nation do not celebrate "holidays." Many are very harsh to customs of ... others. Where is your hair???
Oh my sincerest apologies I should do a little more research. Now I know. I posted my hair day last night. 😃
No worries, and I'm gonna go peak right now.
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Beautiful post, I love all the different colors of the varying embroidery on the ladies shawls. Are shawls called something else for these dances? What instruments are the men playing in the video? I've always loved watching the dances. I've never seen them in person but always watch the videos I come across. :D They are so lovely to see, even if I don't understand the meaning behind them all. It would be neat to learn about each of the different ones from the different tribes.
Thanks for sharing. :D God bless you my friend. :D Have an awesome day! :D
Hello my dear friend @frostyamber, yes the name is shawl.
You might like this video, Enjoy!
https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/culture/bear-dance/bear-dance-video/
This video explains what happens and the reasoning for the Bear Dance. Blessings my lady. xx
Awesome, I'm going to let it load while we eat supper and watch it after chores and kitchen clean up is done. :D Thanks for including the link, it makes it so much easier for me. :D I'll let you know what I thought of it and any questions I might have. :D God bless. :D
I watched the video and it was wonderful. I love all the different embroidery/bead work on the ladies shawls and on their moccasins, just beautiful. :D
I didn't realize it was ladies choice and that the ladies led for this dance, but it makes sense to me. I'm always trying to lead when I dance and my husband usually says something like "I'm the guy, let me lead", LOL. :D
What are the instruments they play (rubbed up and down on) for the dance called? They actually looked similar to those racks that hold sockets for tool sets, or is it just my tired eyes? They make some interesting sounds. I'd love to hear them in person some day. The dance would be quite beautiful to see in person I bet. :D
Thanks again for sharing. :D God bless you my friend. :D Have an awesome day! Happy New Years! :D
Yay! I'm glad you like the video. The instrument is a percussion instrument called a rasp and it is to mimic the sound of a Bear. Yes the detail and work is amazing, and all done by hand. I have some pieces myself. Hilarious that you say that about leading, my Louis says the same thing until we went to dancing lessons and they said I was not leading just dancing. Men! You can hear the sound and see it on the videos. My video is a little blurry but I have one where you can see it, and its pretty cool. Yes, you would love to see this celebration. It is special. My pleasure in sharing. Bless you always and forever. Happy New Years! xx
I look forward to seeing any future posts you make on the different tribes and their ceremonies, ceremonial dress, etc... They are beautiful to watch, at least the few that I've seen. I will never fully understand the significance of the various ceremonies but I love to try to see them and appreciate them for the story within each. :D
God bless you throughout this new year and beyond. :D Have an awesome day! :D
Hi my lady, I hope you are well today!! Thank you for your encouragement and support. Big love to you. God bless you forever and ever. xx
I am doing pretty good today, thank you. :D You're so welcome. I mean every word. Sending hugs and encouragement always. :D God bless you my fabulous friend. :D Have an awesome day! :D
Glad to see you are doing well! Bless you all day everyday! xx