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Decenter by Emil Davityan's avatar

An interesting parallel between the exit from the cave and the tomb around Easter

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Radu's avatar

Check out the bear festival in Romania. https://apimagesblog.com/blog/2023/1/16/bear-costumes-dance-at-popular-romanian-festival

A light version of this (more just as a travelling circus attraction around the holidays) is somehow entertained in all the big cities. But in some places they still have the real deal.

I remember also parading a live bear lead by a ring through its nose on these occasions, bit this practice faded out with the animal abuse organizations clamping down on it.

On a lighter note I remember a firecamp song going about how a she bear stole a girl from a group of mountaineers and they haggle to get her back. I'm sure there is a deep root for this too. Lots of connections to be made.

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neanderthal paganism's avatar

SO much bear lore. I cite that Romanian festival here: https://www.milbel.com/p/what-was-neanderthal-religion

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Radu's avatar

I guess it's a case of 'I have to do my homework before commenting'. It would be strange for you NOT to know about that, now that I think about it! :))

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Mycological Memories's avatar

I never thought of how similar we are to Bears in our behaviours but now that you've pointed it out , I see it clearly - and feel it. There is something familial about watching a bear play, walk, hunt. Great post thank you!

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neanderthal paganism's avatar

🐻❤️

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Simon van der Els's avatar

Having recently done a guided meditation with the Bear, we had a lovely encounter with its presence. I'm currently reading a fictional works from the perspective of Neanderthalers or other non Sapiens humanoïds (the book isn't explicit) so this reads as a wonderful combination.

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