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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 19:29:29 GMT -5
Grizzly bear, is the most revered and respected creatures in the whole North america, from Alaska to Northern mexico. In this thread, we will look that how the Native americans (also called Red Indians) feared and venerated the grizzly bear. They people of the Western america represent the largest respect for the bear all over the america. They are fear as demon and revered as god. The famous sioux, apaches and crow etc held the bear in high esteem. Grizzly bears are too much respected in the North America, that i would say even if i post all information in this thread so that would not still be enough. 
"The presence of the Grizzly across the Plains spiritually connects them to Native American people—almost all tribes give the bear a prominent place in their cultures. Bears are symbols of wisdom: often featured as guardians, teachers, leaders, and healers in Native origin stories, myths, and legends."
"The bear has its own clan just like turtle, wolf, and elk. Bear Clan members are known as healers and possess the knowledge of healing medicines: bitter root, bear root, flat cedar, sage, and much more. While each tribe has its own clan responsibilities, the bear’s significance as a healer and protector is central to most cultures."
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://blog.nativehope.org/native-american-animals-bear-mato-is-a-gift-to-mother-earth-and-her-people%3Fhs_amp%3Dtrue&ved=2ahUKEwjMu6LOpY33AhVBR_EDHT7jCEgQFnoECAQQBQ&usg=AOvVaw3bOhutoFch6AcNFT0MN8IN
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 19:39:30 GMT -5
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 19:50:28 GMT -5
"In the Northwestern plain indians, grizzly were considered so powerful animals, that a bear dreammer was a great warrior and medicine's healer."
"Grizzly bear warriors were considered the mighest warriors in the group that they charged straight into the line and never retreated. They would wear bear masks, bear skins and also carried a bear knife."
"Bears were considered so powerful that only shaman could call them as bear. Others would call him as "Bear Old man" or "Elder brother." The shaman or the bravest warrior of the plain indians could only wear bear skins."
"Bears were believed to have such medicine powers that they were believed to be almost humans."
"Bears were considered so powerful that it was believed that bear spirit makes a warrior courageous and a shaman wise."
"Bear art is often seens in indian art along with teeth, pawss, humps and claws which demonstrate the bear warrior's strength."
books.google.com.pk/books?id=doUNbovdbogC&printsec=copyright&source=gbs_pub_info_r#v=onepage&q&f=false
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 20:08:13 GMT -5
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 20:13:27 GMT -5
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 20:31:53 GMT -5
Grizzly bears are higgly respected in Western american tribes of Sioux, Apaches, Comanches, Blackfoot, Crow and others. The indian word for bear is "Mato" or "Matho". Here is tge list of many warchief with the name mato. The thing to note is that no other animal has as much names for human as the bear has. 1. Good bear (Mato Wastay)
2. Squatting bear
3. Two bears
4. Rocky bear (Mato Inyna)
5. Red Bear
6. Stinking bear
7. Lone bear
8. Yellow bear
9. Bull bear
10. Brave bear
11. Red Bear Breath
12. Sitting bear
13. Living bear
14. Swift bear
15. Bear Head
16. Quick bear
17. Catch the bear
18. Joseph Red Bear
19. Broken bear ribs
20. Bear runs growling
21. Scattering bear
22. Bear Face
23. Kicking bear
24. Hollow bear
25. Saved by bear
26. Chasing bear
27. Charging bear
28. Bear shied
29. Bear with horns
30. Smutty bear (Mato Sabeciya)
31. Medicine bear
32. Mad bear
33. Bob brave bear
34. Bear's Ghost
35. Plenty bears
36. Little bear
37. Traveling bear
38. Ten bears
39. White bear
40. Curly bear
41. Bear on the Platform
42. Savage bear
43. High bear
44. Big Bear
45. Iron bear
46. Left hand bear
47. Crazy bear
48. Standing bear (Matho Nażin).
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://amertribes.proboards.com/&ved=2ahUKEwiDuuTBsI33AhVHVhoKHdJpC_8QFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2xXXft70t8sgYUjHXY4PHn
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 20:54:34 GMT -5
The Bear Dance ceremony
"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."
Reason For The Bear Dance
"The bear dance is performed by the Ute Indians after the first sound of thunder is heard as spring comes. This tradition began in the fifteenth century taught to humans by bears. The primal ancestor of the Ute Indians are believed by themselves to be bears. The reason for this dance was to help wake up the hibernating bears in winter, and the Indians from being inside during the cold season. Along with waking up for winter finding a new mate for the new season is another reason this dance is performed by bears, and humans. Men, women, and children are involved in this yearly dance. For this dance the men are to prepare everything for the performance. During the dance women invite men to dance in order to find a mate, and dance together."
The Event of the Bear Dance
"Out of all the Ute ceremonies, the Bear Dance is said to be one of the oldest. It lasts a week to ten days. The Ute Indians start the bear dance in the spring when they hear the first thunder. The Ute Indians were now able to break winter camps and look for food and game. The Ute were able to come outside again and release any stress or tensions that were there. Both men and women prepared for the bear dance. Clothes are made for families to be worn during the dance by the women. Each year, a new corral is made and is placed at the entrance of the dance.The corral and other things related to the dance are made by men. When the bear dance begins, a medicine man or chief directs the dance.Songs are played during the event, and children and adults dance like they saw the bears do. Legends say that the songs played by the Ute Indians showed respect to the bears spirits. These songs are played with wooden notched sticks by musicians. They also use drums and other musical instruments to play music. When the drums are played, they sing an incantation. They believe the incantation takes the noises to the caves of the bears which are then transformed into thunder. They dance and socialize until the ceremony is concluded. As the ceremony concludes, feasting begins and the dance was over."
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Dance&ved=2ahUKEwjA6pTCtY33AhXTg_0HHdiHBjsQFnoECEMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1gpln5klkJ7SnmtZcsS3yu
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 21:02:08 GMT -5
"According to Norman Feder,
“...grizzly claw necklaces were apparently never vary numerous within any one tribe because of the difficulty in obtaining the claws.”
(Feder & Chandler, 1961, p. 7)
Even at a time when the great plains family of the grizzly bear species was abundant, it was difficult to hunt the animal. An early writer in the 1838 to 1840 period states,
“This famous grizzly bear is so ferocious that when the Osage wish to attack it, they raise a war party often fifty men strong”...“The victorious hunter is entitled to wear a necklace made with it’s claws.”
(Tixier, 1940, p. 248)
A common style of making the grizzly bear claw necklace among the Ponca, Osage, Iowa, Kaw, Omaha, Pawnee, Otoe and Missouri tribes has been described by Norman Feder as,
“...claws with double perforation, mounted on a core and covered with otter fur”...“a core that forms a continuous circle, and a tail composed of a separate otter skin pendant down the back.”
(Feder & Chandler, 1961, p. 11)
In addition, Thomas Mails makes reference to grizzly claw necklaces in “The Mystic Warriors of the Plains,” when he writes,
“The combined otter skin and bear claw necklaces”... “were made with broad bands of otter skin, and the long tail of the swift and cunning otter was arranged to hang down the center of the warrior’s back.”
(Mails, 1972, p. 372)
In most claw necklaces still in museum collections, there are an average of 40 claws in a necklace of this type, and usually only the longer front claws were used as the grizzly bear hind claws are much shorter. Large glass trade beads are often used as spacers between the claws, strung halfway down the claw at the secondary perforation alluded to above.
In latter years, with the depletion of the Great Plains Grizzly Bear (now extinct), many tribes made claw necklaces from Rocky Mountain Grizzly Bear, or from carved elk antler. In fact, as an example of how they became so popular, one of these grizzly claw necklaces made from carved elkhorn and collected at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas as early as 1838, is on display at the American Museum of Natural History.
Historically among the Ponca, as an example, it was usually notable warriors who gained the honor and right to wear a Grizzly Bear Claw Necklace. Either by killing two or more Grizzly Bears and making a necklace of the claws, or by killing an enemy warrior who wore a Grizzly Bear Claw Necklace, thus giving you the right to wear his. (Abe Conklin, 1986)
While seen occasionally among straight dancers today, the Grizzly Bear Claw Necklace may not have the same meaning associated with it's use back in the day."
Some examples:
A Mandan style Grizzly Bear Claw necklace. - circa 1834
{Note: A complete Otter hide covers the claws. This may have been an earlier style which lead to the more elaborate styles shown below.}
amertribes.proboards.com/thread/554/grizzly-bear-claw-necklaces
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 21:04:45 GMT -5
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 21:37:25 GMT -5
"The bear in the Pacific cultures like the Haida and the Kwakiutl is a symbol of the same things which it symbolizes for some other cultures in the world. These meanings are undoubtedly derived from the nature of the animal itself, no matter where it seems to originate.
In Northwestern myth, the bear is a supernatural being of the land that is strong, aggressive, as well as fearless. In different types of designs, which include tattoos as well, the bear is identified by its massive but short muzzle, rounded and ferocious eyes, and wide, flaring nostrils. It also has long and pointed claws, and the teeth and fangs are also often shown. For warriors, the bear was a sign of fierceness.The Bear
In the Haida tribe, just as with a lot of other different types of popular tribal tattoos, the meanings are not quite the same as their original native purpose, as well as symbolic significance. However, unlike most tribal tattoos which are simply based on a design and color combination, it is quite easier to discern the meaning of this tattoo, based on the fact that animals represent key human traits. Each animal provides different meaning. For example, the bear represents strength, power, as well as fierceness. In this culture, each animal is imbued with a particular force, and because of that, the meaning of Haida tattoos is rooted in the symbolic importance of a given animal, in this case – the bear.
Kwakiutl is a North American Indigenous who traditionally lived in what is today known as British Columbia, Canada, along with the shores of the waterways between Vancouver, Island, and the mainland. Their name for themselves means “those who speak Kwakwala.” In this culture, the bear is a symbol of strength, introspection, spiritual journey, and healing.
People choose to get the design of the body art of Haida and Kwakiutl as they are fond of a particular animal, and also find that these kinds of tattoos are a creative format for expressing that. For example, the bear has extreme symbolic value, and it is a popular choice despite the different tribal meanings it has."
tattooartfromtheheart.com/tattoo-meanings/the-bear-in-haida-and-kwakiutl-cultures-strength-healing-power-and-fierceness/
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 21:38:59 GMT -5
Sioux indians fighting grizzly bears.  |
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 11, 2022 21:40:26 GMT -5
Grizzly bear artifacts by Indians.
 Two bears biting a man as shown in indian statue.
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 12, 2022 19:43:12 GMT -5
There are some witnessed cases of indians communicating with bears.
"The cahuilla people of northern mexico once talked to a bear in bear and bull fight." (Also mentioned in California grizzly book)
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear-baiting&ved=2ahUKEwjKpY3K54_3AhXRx4UKHYXECIQQFnoECEsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2EXp6sQ2NWA9yqJheH-aW8
"Even a female and cubs, the most dangerous and unpredictable of ursine groups, could be influenced by the proper words spoken in a diplomatic manner. Once when a party of Cahuilla encountered a she-bear with young near the modern town of Beaumont, the oldest and most respected man stepped forward and told her that they meant her no harm and that since she was a relative of theirs she should not bother them. The grizzly looked at them, understood, and went peacefully on her way."
"One wrinkled old woman in particular was held in great respect because daily she hobbled over a long trail to a heap of rocks at the edge of a thicket, where, so she said, she talked with a grizzly."
"The Cahuilla relied for safety on an ability to converse with the big bears. A person who met one in the mountains called it piwil ( great-grandfather ) and said in a soothing tone, "I am only looking for my food, you are human and understand me, take my word and go away." The bear would rise, brandishing its great paws in the air; then, if it intended peace, it would drop to all fours and scratch dirt to one side. ( Strong, 1929 )."
books.google.com.pk/books?id=1QVZFQu01KcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+california+grizzly&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwie_-S454_3AhUS14UKHbhTAoQQ6AF6BAgDEAM
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 12, 2022 19:50:16 GMT -5
Grizzly bear ritual face masks.
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 12, 2022 19:52:35 GMT -5
A grizzly bear idol from Northwestern america.
A man dressed as a bear in ritual dance.
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 12, 2022 20:01:28 GMT -5
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 12, 2022 20:13:25 GMT -5
Book:- The Knowledge and the sacred by Hussein Nasar
"The indians saw the bear's bearness and the eagle's eagleness as platonic architypes."
books.google.com.pk/books?id=IChnJl0Mu4sC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+knowledge+and+the+sacred&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjfu8eb74_3AhUkyIUKHY8RDIQQ6AF6BAgEEAM
" Bears figure prominently in the mythology of nearly every Native American tribe. In most Native cultures, Bear is considered a medicine being with impressive magical powers, and plays a major role in many religious ceremonies. Bears are symbols of strength and wisdom to many Native Americans, and are often associated with healing and medicine (since bears continue fighting after being seriously injured, Native Americans often believed they were capable of healing their wounds.)
Among the Pueblo tribes, bears are considered one of the six directional guardians, associated with the west and the color blue. The Zunis ascribe healing powers to bears and carve stone bear fetishes to protect them and bring them luck. A bear's claw was one of the talismans frequently included in medicine bundles, and warriors in some tribes wore necklaces of bear claws to bring them power and strength. There were also many taboos regarding bears in different Native American tribes-- the use of hunting seasons (to avoid killing mother bears with their cubs) was the most common, but in some tribes, it was considered disrespectful and dangerous to insult bears, step on their scat, or even utter their names outside of certain ritual contexts. Among the Innu, it was taboo for children or unmarried women to eat bear meat, and some Apache tribes did not eat bears at all.
In folklore, Bear is often portrayed either as a sort of enforcer figure who punishes disrespectful or improper behavior among other animals and people, or as a humorless "straight man" for weaker but cleverer trickster characters to play against. Bear personalities in these stories range from wise and noble, to morally upright but somewhat stupid and gullible, to aggressive and intimidating, but in most cases, they do not bother people who have not done anything wrong. (There are a few exceptions to this-- in some tribes, such as the Cherokee, bears are sometimes portrayed as violent enemies of humans, although they are still an important clan animal to the Cherokees. Some tribes also tell stories about monsters resembling man-eating bears the size of elephants, which prey on innocent people and must be slain by heroes.) The devoted maternal behavior of female bears is often noted in folktales, with mother bears sacrificing themselves for their cubs or adopting human children.
Bears are also one of the most important and widespread clan animals in Native American cultures. Tribes with Bear Clans include the Creek (whose Bear Clan is named Nokosalgi or Nokosvlke,) the Chippewa (whose Bear Clan and its totem are called Nooke,) Algonquian tribes such as the Mi'kmaq and Menominee, the Huron and Iroquois tribes, Plains tribes such as the Caddo and Osage, the Hopi (whose Bear Clan is called Honngyam or Hona-wungwa), the Navajo and Pueblo tribes of New Mexico, and Northwest Coast tribes such as the Tlingit, Tsimshian, Nisgaa-Gitksan, and Salishan tribes. Bear was an important clan crest on the Northwest Coast and can often be found carved on totem poles. And many eastern tribes, such as the Caddo, Lenape, and Iroquois, have a Bear Dance among their tribal dance traditions."
www.native-languages.org/legends-bear.htm#google_vignette
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Post by arctozilla on Apr 14, 2022 6:59:15 GMT -5
The native americans respected grizzly bears just like European respected European brown bears
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 14, 2022 21:15:05 GMT -5
"Native American Indians regarded the grizzly bear with awe and respect. Early hunting tribes noticed that these bears had very complex behaviors. Many native tribes thought of the bear as a "god". American Indians saw that these grizzlies were large and very strong animals that could move quickly in spite of their size. It's no wonder that these magnificent animals would become the center of Indian legends. Often found in Indian paintings and engraved in jewelry, the grizzly was a sign of strength.
The grizzly bear stood for many meanings and rituals among the American Indians. The Indian Bear Dance was considered the Ghost Dance, bringing back the ghosts of their ancestors while helping the grizzly bear fall asleep for its winter hibernation. Ancestors join in the dance in their spirit form while the bears are lulled to sleep. After the dance is complete, another Dance is celebrated, called the Circle of Life Dance. This dance will be held around a burning log fire until the fire burns out. The Native Indians will dance, sing and chant for warmth and light from the sun during the time the grizzly sleeps.
Many Indians feared the grizzly bear but still they hunted the large bears for food, clothing, and even jewelry. Claws were made into necklaces and often worn hanging from their waistband. Because of the Indians' beliefs that the bear had some spiritual power, wearing a bear claw necklace would mean protection and good health to the Indian wearing it.
Today Indians still wear necklaces of grizzly bear claws but only a few are preserved from the 1800s in museums. One famous bear claw necklace can be viewed at the Peabody Museum at Harvard. Since bear claws were objects that Indians treasured, very few were obtained outside of the Indian tribes.
indians.org/articles/grizzly-bear.html
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Post by Montezuma on Apr 14, 2022 21:18:39 GMT -5
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