Bear Dance ‘Pino Nuche’ style

Friday - June 9, 2017 by Staff report | The Southern Ute Drum
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Men and women line dance to the rhythm of the Bear Dance songs.
Bear Dance singers use wooden growlers to perform the traditional Ute Bear Dance songs, these rhythmic sounds are synonymous with the spring celebration.
The Bear Dance encourages dancers of all ages, both women and girls will wear shawls over their dresses.
Ute elders, Terry Knight and Russel Box Sr. Enjoy a quiet moment in the shade during the Bear Dance.
Southern Ute elder Ramona Eagle never misses an opportunity to partake in the Bear Dance.
Southern Ute elder and Vietnam Veteran Austin Box sits in with the singers for a few songs during the Bear Dance in Ignacio on Monday, May 29.
Southern Ute Bear Dance Chief Matthew Box keeps a watchful eye on the dancers throughout the weekend.
Vibrant colors are part of Bear dance culture, families make new shawls, ribbon shirts and moccasins each year during the winter months, dancers proudly wear their regalia for the first time during the spring celebrations each year.
The Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy students started off the 2017 Southern Ute Bear Dance per the usual tradition on Friday, May 26 in Ignacio, Colo.
Miss Southern Ute Lorraine Watts and Southern Ute Brave Dominick Goodtracks welcome everyone who attended the opening of the spring celebration.
Young Southern Ute Indian Montesorri Academy growlers sing songs they learned at the academy to begin the dancing, a traditional aspect of the bear dance.
Southern Ute elder, Ray C. Frost was among those who attended the Bear Dance feast, held annually during the Southern Ute Bear Dance.
Southern Ute Culture Dept., Special Events Coordinator, Tara Vigil checks on the traditional fire-cooked stew before serving it up at the Bear Dance feast on Monday, May 29.
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | Special to the Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | Special to the Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | Special to the Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
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The Southern Ute Bear Dance filled the corral over Memorial Day weekend, May 26–29. This spring celebration lasts four days, culminating with a feast on the final day. The Bear Dance is part ceremonial dance, part social dance. The spring time celebration comes to a close on the evening of the fourth day, when the singers sing the ending song, which is much longer then the other songs — this last dance is an endurance dance and closes the Bear Dance until the following spring.

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