The Ainu Bear Ceremony

The Ainu Bear Ceremony
[the-ainu-bear-ceremony--Film-list-image]
© Munro
27 minutes / B&W / 1931
Directed by
Neil G. Munro

Country of production United Kingdom

The RAI has reedited the original film of this ceremony among the Ainu people of Japan. In the bear ceremony, now no longer performed, a specially reared bear was reverently killed and its flesh and blood eaten by the participants. The film shows a series of ritual acts with some commentary on their meaning.

Language and subtitles English (no subtitles)

Region Central Asia and Far East

Country Japan

Keywords Ritual Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples