Auction details
9:00 AM PT - Feb 20th, 2012
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Native American Indian Headdress, Bear Dance 20th century- Beaded & fringed hide, Plains Indian. Very unusual & authentic item for any collection. Leather and beaded with soft hide fringe on edges. Appears to be from a medium size brown or black bear.
Provenance: Miki and James J. Mangan III of Fairfield, CT Size: 51" L x 38" W Weight: 3 lbs Condition: excellent and original, no damage or other issues present. The Bear Dance is a Ghost Dance. This means that while the living Indians are dancing they can actually see the ghosts of their ancestors dancing with them. The Bear Dance was described to me by an American Indian medicine man who was reputed to be an expert on the dance. The Bear Dance symbolizes putting the Great Bear to sleep for his winter hibernation. First, the Bear appears (as a ghost) and walks the area of the dance to clear it of all bad spirits that may be present. When Bear is done clearing the area, the living Indians start a log fire and begin the Bear Dance with song or chant. As they dance, their ancestors join the dance in spirit form. Slowly the Bear is lulled to sleep for the winter and the dance is complete. Another dance that usually follows the Bear Dance is the Circle (or Cycle) of Life dance. This dance begins with a log fire symbolizing the light and warmth of the sun. The dance is started with a song or chant that gives praise and thanks to their god, "The Great Creator", asking for longer sunlight and warmer days to return quickly. (Winter was the time of year that the Indians experienced the greatest number of deaths in their tribes from the freezing cold weather and difficulty obtaining enough food.) The dance ended with the fading of the fire. Condition reportexcellent and original, no damage or other issues present.
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