What special ceremonies did they have did the UTE tribe have?

Answer 1

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.

After a long winter the festivities began. The men and women would enter the corral wearing plumes that signified their worries. At the end of the dance on the fourth day, the plumes would be hung on a cedar tree at the east entrance of the corral and they would leave their troubles behind.

Cameras are allowed for this social dance, but it is always a good idea to get permission when coming onto any of the reservations.

The Ute Sundance

From the editor: There is no way that I can capture the full meaning of the Sundance with my words, so I will keep this to a minimal description.

This most important of the Ute spiritual ceremonies takes place once a year, and is a quest for medicine power that is personal between the Sundancer and the Great Spirit. The dancer must be commanded, sometimes in a dream, to take part in this ceremony that bonds the Utes.

Preparation begins with tagu-wuni: "standing thirsty." This is a four day fast from both food and liquids, and is done inside the Sundance lodge, along with ceremonies and dancing.

The Sundancer represents not only himself, but his family and the community. Their presence reminds him that though he is the receiver of the "medicine power," and it can be used for personal gain, the Great Spirit is the source, and the true purpose is to share.

This ageless ceremony is both the means to a common bond, and the reminder of the spirituality which bids the Utes together.