Bear covenant

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The bear union is one of the mystical animals . It is a type of medicine societies of the Iroquois - Indians .

The ritual of the Bear Association consists of 20 songs and a dance. The ceremony opens with participants offering tobacco to the spirits of the bears. The highest official in society is a woman. The symbol of membership is a black stripe painted diagonally on the right cheek. The aim of the society is to cure illnesses by dancing and singing. Mainly fever and rheumatism should be cured. During a healing ceremony, the leading woman blows on the patient's head.

literature

  • Arthur C. Parker: Secret Medicine Societies of the Seneca , in: American Anthropologist, Col. 11, 1909, pp. 161-185. New York: Kraus Reprint Corporation, 1962