96 WILD BROTHER 



thing of this kind before. While it is probably true 

 that no other bear's life had ever been saved in the 

 same way for a similar reason, I was soon to learn 

 of an extraordinary custom that has to do with the 

 feeding of bears' cubs in an analogous way. This 

 curious practice is indulged in by the Ainus, those 

 quaint and primitive people of Aryan stock who 

 were the original inhabitants of the Japanese 

 islands, and who now, in dwindling numbers, live 

 on the island of Yezo. It is an ancient belief of the 

 Ainus that they are descended from the bear, the 

 animal that plays the most prominent part in cer- 

 tain of their religious ceremonies. 



Bears' cubs are highly prized and much sought 

 by these simple people. The Ainu hunters are will- 

 ing to risk their lives in order to secure a live cub. 

 When captured, the little creatures are handed 

 over to certain women who have been specially 

 chosen to nurse and bring them up. These cubs, 

 as was the case with Bruno, often become mem- 

 bers of the family and play with the children ; 

 but their treatment does not come from any 

 love of the animal or from any wish to preserve 

 its life. Quite the contrary, in fact. At a certain 

 age, its life is sacrificed, and with much rejoicing, 

 at the time of a great feast, the flesh is eaten. 



I became aware of these customs in a curious 

 and singular way. In the fall of 1904 I attended the 



