Ute Indian Bear Dance

The annual Ute Bear Dance in June is social and honors the grizzly bear, who was created by Sinawaf, the One-Above, to teach the Ute strength, wisdom, and survival, and to resist the mischief of Coyote. The dance is to awaken bear, and he will lead the people to gather roots, nuts, and berries. During this four-day festival the women choose partners, and this often leads to courtship and marriage.

The origin of the bear dance is told this way. Two brothers were hunting in the mountains and stopped to rest. One of the brothers saw a bear clawing and singing as he danced around a tree. As one brother went on to hunt the other watched the bear, who taught him the dance and the song. The bear told him to teach this to his people as a sign of respect for the bear's spirit which gives strength.

The Annual Ute Bear Dance was held in the spring at the first sound of thunder; about the middle of March. But preparation was made all winter: around the campfires the story teller told tales of the way of life and the singers practised songs which had come in dreams.

As the time came near the men prepared the Bear Dance corral and did other necessary work, while the women made the family's clothes for the dance. The bands would come and set up camp.