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An ancient ceremony of the Southern Ute Indians, the Ute Bear Dance is now held on Memorial Day weekend in Ignacio, Colorado. Originally the ritual was held in late February or early March. It stemmed from the belief that the Utes were descended from bears, and the dance served both to help the bears coming out of hibernation and to gain power from them. Today the dance is largely a social occasion. Lines of women and men advance toward each other, gradually dancing in pairs. The dancing goes on until sunset, when there is a feast. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary