THE ROLE OF BEARS AND BEAR CEREMONIALISM IN NAVAJO ORTHODOX TRADITIONAL LIFEWAY

The Navajos, who now number over 200,000 in population, are the larges t, and one of the most culturally intact Indian tribes in North Americ a. Reigning over a reservation of some 25,000 square miles in size, th e Navajos, like many other tribal people have long respected and honor ed bears as being fellow ''beings'' with whom they share the land. Bec ause of the bears power, intelligence, acute senses, and physical feat ures which closely resemble that of a human, they have also played a m ajor role in Navajo tribal legends and ceremonialism. The purpose of t his article is to briefly examine the place of bears and bear ceremoni alism within the structure of traditional Navajo beliefs and religious practices.