The Bear Ceremony
A 48-part antiphonal bear song recorded in 1775 that reenacts the Sámi bear ceremony. The bear was considered sacred, 'the only animal related to man.' The ceremonial hunt aimed to remove a fierce competitor while winning the bear's power and ensuring its reincarnation. The bear's death was celebrated with the bear participating symbolically. The yoik cycle covers from the felling to the feast days later.