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Ceremonial Bear Dance
MARCH- Saturday 20--Waking Up the Bears. Lena, MS See Events page> Please write to us two weeks in advance if you are interested in participating, Asi/Inipi (Sweat Lodge) Protocol and Information> If you are interested in attending a Bear Dance Cermony, please write to us at least 14 days before the ceremony date. Please Note: We dance with the Spirit of the Bear--not bear animals! Several people have written to us with concern that we are dancing with animals--rest assured--no animals are present! |
THE BEARS CEREMONIAL DANCE
A Brief History Bear Medicine Society in Mississippi calls the Bear Spirits several times a year to perform the Bears' healing ceremonial dance and honor their good Medicine.
The Bear Dance is an ancient ritual that has been performed by many indigenous nations from coast to coast. The dance performed here follows the Southern Paiute and other southern desert traditions. We understand that Arkansas and Mississippi are the only places outside of California where this particular ancient ceremony is held.
The dance begins with the 'calling of the Bears' to the four sacred directions. The head Wingman tells the story of the great Bear and instructs the audience/participants in what to expect. Singers and Drummers then enter the sacred fire circle and begin to tell other stories of the Bear in ancient song.
Wingmen (Bird People) escort the Bears into the fire circle and continually cleanse them throughout the dance with sacred sage, to keep them from taking on the dis-eases they are helping to transmute.
The Bear's dance movements are prayers and the beautiful rhythmic songs emphasize the strength, courage, beauty and the special healing medicines of the Bear. An Elder Wingman may narrate the stories and interpret the meaning of various movements and songs for those who have never attended.
The Bear Dance as we celebrate it, is an ancient healing ceremony, not an entertainment or competitive Pow Wow type dance. Be prepared to spend the day and evening outside. Bring appropriate clothing, food and drink and other items needed for your physical comfort outdoors. Many will be fasting. We will provide a healthy home made version of 'sports drink' for the sweat lodge participants, after each sweat. It is recommended that if you choose to eat during the day, make it light. That way you will have more energy.
The whole day is part of the ceremony although Bear Dance is in the early evening. We consider the entire day to be a time of prayer, gratitude, fellowship, and celebration of life--and a 'growing' of the nvwati, or light within us all. With this in mind, we ask that people come in the morning and stay through the entire day.
The effectiveness of the ceremony, in part, depends on the participation of every individual attending. As an honored, respected and welcomed audience member, we hope everyone understands that it is important to be 'present' in the moment, aware and observant throughout the ceremony. This means any socializing, commentary or questions (even amongst your neighbors) during the ceremony is a distraction. Within the sacred space of ceremony, all of one's thoughts are prayers. It is a good day/space to practice mindfulness meditation, and being present in the 'now'. We believe that all healing takes place in full awareness of the present moment.
Practicing mindfulness, and being in a state of prayer strengthens the ceremony, aids the dancers and drummers, and helps send healing energy to all who are present, all who are distant, and All Our Relations, everywhere. This level of awareness will open you up to the beautiful energies and miracles unique to this dance. If you feel moved to join in with the songs and chants of the dance, you are most welcome to do so.
Everyone attending plays an essential role, whether you are one of 100 participants, or the only one attending.
We understand and respect that many, if not all in attendance, have their own powerful and good medicine. We are most appreciative of the understanding that the Bear Dance is not an appropriate place/time to practice it.
Please do not enter the Ceremonial Arbor area before the Bear Dance, unless invited to help prepare the arbor for ceremony.
The audience is invited to participate in the dance during the ceremony by entering the dance arbor to interact with the Bears during the third round. Sacred objects and medicines placed on the fire circle stones should not be touched or moved.
Children in the continuous supervised presence of an adult, are welcome, indeed, celebrated guests. We trust and respect that you know your childrens capacity for a long day of ceremonies.
Potluck meal to follow, as part of the ceremony, please participate--it is a joyful sharing of abundance, and honoring of the Spirits. Please bring something healthy to share.
Alcohol and other drugs are strictly prohibited.
No Pets Allowed.
No cellphones or electronic devices allowed in the ceremonial areas. No recording of ceremonies in any media.
There is no charge for ceremonies. Donations are gratefully received.
For more info, please write to us.
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Below is an excerpt from a newsletter written 4 years ago. It includes some good history and info on the Bear Dance... |
NOTES ON THE BEAR DANCE.. November 2006: Each year, we awaken the Bears in the Spring and each Fall we put the Bears to bed. We will awaken them atthe Spring Equinox. We have a number of new subscribers, so the recap, we belong to the Bear Medicine Society of Arkansas, The ceremonial dance was begun by Clarence Atwell Sr., the spiritual elder of the Tachi Yokuts Tribe in Doc Davidson, “Chanter” in our tribe, was a drug and alcohol counselor working with Native peoples in the When we awaken the Bears in the Spring, it will begin my fourth year to dance in the seven-year In the Dance, the dancers wear bear skins and “become” the Bear. They “take on” all the ills of the I watched the Bears dance for two years before Spirit moved me to become a Bear dancer. It During the dance, the women of the drum sing sacred songs to keep the dancers in Spirit. This year, The Drum is Sacred The drum is sacred and the women are guardians of it. They keep the drum, and it is good that There is a protocol to becoming a drummer and singer that is as important and sacred as being a The singing of the women is beautiful music, as well as being powerful spiritually. They evoke Spirit, One time, we danced at a place where the ground had been bush-hogged, and the rough-cut grasses In traditional way, there is no fee for ceremonies such as this. We are always glad to perform the Dancing Your Power Animal This year, too, Waya (wolf in Cherokee) learned to dance the Wolf, her power animal and totem, In the shamanic way, we are taught to dance our power animals; we do this to honor them. Anyone Note: We now hold Bear Dance in Lena, MS.
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