Bears in Native American Folklore

Native American folklore has been under appreciated and almost taken out of this world in general. Many do not see the importance Native American folklore has on not just Indigenous people but the community as well. Everything we see around us has some kind of importance in our lives and the area it lives in. Animals are like us in many aspects: feel emotions, represent our soul, and help us by playing their part of keeping our communities clean (except when they rummage through our trash bins).

Since the beginning of time, oral traditions of bears have been passed down through generations, which have played a crucial part in ceremonies and humanity. Even if we (the outside world) cannot understand, it’s always best for us to try because Native American folklore has helped not just Indigenous people but the local community they live in.

Stories connect us like yarns. It glues us in ways we may never understand. The stories told guide us through whatever hardship life throws at us. Native American Indian folklore refers to bears as a brother, uncle, and even grandmother, even stories of bears becoming humans and vice versa. There is a healthy respect for bears, especially by tribes that live among bears.

In most Native American cultures, some consider bears as medicine beings. In various tribes, bears play a major role in many religious ceremonies as symbols of strength and wisdom. 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.

The bear symbol was important because it represented a protector, courage, physical strength, and even leadership and this view stands today in various tribes. Bears are strong, agile, and clever so the bear symbol signifies a good omen and conveys authority. To some, the bear has the power of transformation. Many Native American tribes believe that bears have the ability to move between the physical and spiritual worlds, and that they can change their physical form. This ability is seen as a symbol of spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Bears play a significant role in many Native American ceremonies and rituals. The bear dance, for example, is a common ritual in many tribes, where dancers appear in bear skins and perform a dance to honor the spirit of the bear. The dance is believed to bring good luck and strength to the tribe. Bear is also a common motif in Native American art, appearing in totems, carvings, and paintings. The bear is often depicted with other symbols, such as the eagle or the wolf, to represent different aspects of Native American culture.

Bears bring in many shapes and forms. Many tribes have their own representations of bears,but regardless of the difference at the end of the day we all are connected through bears. Forevermore fascinating creatures but also magical beings.

Work Source:

The American Cowboy Chronicles: Native American Indian Folklore & Symbols -- The BearBear Symbolism In Native American Culture | Kachina House