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The Bear Dance - an unique Romanian tradition
I’m curious if any of you have seen anything similar in any other parts of the world.
“The show is called Ursul, The Bear Dance Festival, and is a ritual that symbolizes the death and rebirth of time. A tradition, preserved since ancient times that is still kept alive today.
It is an annual tradition which takes place every winter when New Year is approaching,in the rural area of the north-eastern Trotus Valley. Men and women of all ages dress in bear skins and dance to the rhythm of flutes and percussion to drive
away evil spirits and welcome the New Year.
While this tradition is still observed in many villages, in cities like Comanesti it also takes the form of a parade. Hundreds of spectators approach and position themselves on the side of the roads waiting for the parade. Children blow colorful horns, others immerse their faces in enormous pink cotton candy. They are heralding the arrival of the people who spent the night preparing their costumes and are now ready to parade these through the town. Here they are. It is a thrilling moment.
Groups of enormous bears pour out from the back of old vans. It is only a matter of minutes and the City Hall square is filled with them. They quickly line up one after another in order from smallest to largest. In front of them, in red uniform and black leather boots, the tamers start to lead the procession down the village streets. The bears march and dance following his commands with precise movements set by the rhythm of pan flutes and hypnotizing large tambourines.
They roar loudly mimicking the sound of a bear, swinging the enormous head, imitating their gait and movements. The two blood-red tassels pinned to each shoulder sway from side to side, but it is not at all as easy as it seems. In fact, the furs can weigh over 40 kilos and to give the idea of a natural and graceful movement, the dancers have to make a superhuman effort.
Even though they have been practicing for months before today’s ceremony, people are sweating and straining inside those skins. During the ceremony, several acts are played. At the beginning the bear tamers hit the bears with whips made from horse hair. In the central act the bears pretend to roll over and die before they are miraculously resurrected in a symbolic dramatization of nature rebirth. In the final act, one of the bears is lifted on a stick by two other characters. The last parade group are the noisiest. Characters dressed as women, wearing colourful and fluorescent dresses with bells all over them.
Wearing these skins may seem like a sadistic act against such a rare and precious being but people really respect and love this creatures. Bears are sacred creatures in Romanian mythology and it is believed that the life cycle of these animals are responsible for the changes of the seasons due to their almost mystic ability to reappear after winter and their hibernation. It is an ancient ritual that bringstogether the whole community, as they gather to watch the performance.Tradition holds it close to their hearts".
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Originally Posted by Seya
Heathenry
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