View sign 'bear'
bear
|
DescriptionPartially close the hands and hold them alongside of head, palms to front. Add to this a clawing motion with hands to front, upwards and then downwards. References: color, hair |
NotesThe hands are supposed to represent either the position of the bear's front feet at times when scouting, or to indicate large ears. To specify the kind, as gray or grizzly, black, cinnamon, etc., make sign for BEAR, and then sign for HAIR, and give it the proper color, or denote the kid by the locality where found or some peculiarity of the beast. Clark descibes this sign as bringing both hands, backs up, well out in front of body, some distance from it and about six inches apart, little finger extended, others and thumbs closed, forearms nearly horizontal and same height; lower the hands simultaneously and raise them, mostly by wrist action. The conception for this is rolling motion in running. He says this sign is the way that the Crows and some other tribes make it. He states that mainly the Pembina band of Chippewas add the clawing motion. |