Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 28: The Turtle Mountain Bear Dancer Who Wanted a Porcupine Hair Roach
- zhaawano
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 1
Miinikewi-giizis (Picking Blueberries Moon); July 20, 2025
The blog post features audio messages with pronunciations of Ojibwe words!
Boozhoo! Today, let's talk about bears—and drums.
The Manidoo Makwa Dewe'igan, known as the "Spirit Bear Drum," was once a drum made from bear hide, though it has now faded into obscurity. It was larger than a water drum but smaller than a big drum, and it was notably tall for its size. Its sound, resonating with the Spirit of the Bear, offered warmth and comfort to the people; like all things related to bears, it represented awakening and new life. Some Elders still recall witnessing the Makwa Niimi'idiwin, the Bear Dance, where the drum originated. In certain areas like Mikinaakwajiwing (Turtle Mountains), the Makwa Manidoo Niimi'idiwin, or Bear Spirit Dance, continues to be performed during community ceremonies, emphasizing Makwa's importance in our creation stories.
My friend from Mikinaakwajiwing, Elder Jessie, knows the song for the dance and has performed it on special occasions. He once told me about a dancer in a community who incorporated a bear cape into his attire. While sitting around the drum arbor, the man remarked, "I'm thinking about not using my Bear hide in my outfit and getting a roach made like everyone else." * An Elder at the gathering advised him, "Keep your Bear Hide as part of your outfit because it holds more significance than the fancy Roaches others wear. You were given that Bear Spirit, and it's important for the Bear to be acknowledged by the manidoog (spirits) at this gathering." The dancer heeded the Elder's advice and continued wearing the Bear Cape until he passed away...
To learn more about drums and their significance in Anishinaabe Drum Dance ceremonies, see: The Way of the Heartbeat, part 1 - Sound of the the Mide Drum.
Boozhoo
Manidoo Makwa Dewe'igan
Makwa Niimi'idiwin
Makwa
Mikinaakwajiwing
Mikinaakwajiiwing Mako-naamid
Manidoog
Miskwaanzigan*
*The porcupine hair roach (miskwaanzigan) is usually made from porcupine guard hair, white-tail deer tail hair, moose hair, or synthetic stiff hair, often dyed in vibrant colors. Today, most roaches have evolved into unique headdresses crafted from turkey beard hair, porcupine guard hair, and deer-tail hair. The design of a headdress can differ depending on the tribe's origin or the individual taste and intention of the dancer.
Illustration: Miikinaakwajiwing Mako-naamid ("Turtle Mountains Bear Dancer") - Painting by Zhaawano Giizhik, 2025.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE "STORIES AND TEACHINGS FROM THE EARTH" SERIES RELEASED TO DATE:
.
Comments