Today's Utes live in the southeast corner of Utah and southwestern Colorado. It is believed that they moved into this area a 1000 years ago supplanting the Anasazi peoples. The Bear Dance has survived over the centuries and today remains one of the most important traditional ceremonies of the tribe. It was originally performed as a welcoming celebration of spring when the bears came out of hibernation. It is a way of showing respect for animals creating harmony between all living things. The Sun Dance Song is the most important spiritual ceremony in the Ute culture. A dancer must receive a command (often given in a dream) to participate in the ceremony which is physically and mentally arduous. War Dances, originally done before or after a raid have now changed and are performed at pow-wows and have become contest dances. As of 1995 the various Ute bands had a total of 6,500 enrolled members.
Click
to hear an MP3 of track 1 Ute Bear Dance Song.
Click
to hear an MP3 of track 4 Sun Dance Song.
Click
to hear an MP3 of track 5 Sun Dance Song.
Click
to hear an MP3 of track 6 Sun Dance Song.
Click
to hear an MP3 of track 7 No. War Dance Song.
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