BADiN] SOCIAL. ORGANIZATION SPECIFIC CLANS 225 



Maogiksuntcga Shakes tho earth. 



Tconimaniga Walks first. 



Dja^pd jirehiga Streak of lightning. 



Maijxiwimaniga He who walks in the cloud. 



Ahu-iseretcga Long wings. 



The Beae Clan 



introduction 



Seven versions of the Bear clan origin myth were obtained, so that 

 for this clan, at least, a fairly intensive study of the variations and 

 their significance can be made. Perhaps the most interesting fact 

 to point out is the apparent existence of two recognized versions, one 

 called the minor or false and the other the true. The complete 

 version was only told when the interrogator had paid enough.'^ 

 The minor version is not at all concerned with the origin of the Bear 

 clan but appears to be largely an account of the origin of the recip- 

 rocal relations of the Bear and Wolf clans. The second is the real 

 origin myth. The version obtained does not, however, seem com- 

 plete. 



The typical origin myths (excluding the fifth version) are of two 

 types, those that speak of Earthmaker creating the ancestors of the 

 clan and those that do not mention his name. Undoubtedly those ver- 

 sions that do not mention Earthmaker's name are the older. Those 

 that speak of Earthmaker show clearly the influence of the general 

 origin myth and of shamanistic systematization. This is particu- 

 larly apparent in the sixth version, which was told in connection with 

 the bear feast. 



The subject matter of the myths relates to the manner in which 

 the bears came to the great gathering at Green Bay, the older ver- 

 sions having them originate from the water and the later versions 

 having them created by Earthmaker and sent to the earth. In the 

 former they are distinctly heroic animals and in the latter vague 

 spirit animals. The nature of the relation of these animals to the 

 present clansmen is not clearly stated in the myths, and there is 

 not the slightest mention of the present current belief on the subject. 

 The myths seem almost entirely concerned with the question of the 

 origin of the disciplinary functions of the clan and of its relationship 

 to the Wolf and a few of the other clans. 



It is difficult to explain the remarkable differences in the various 

 versions. Comparing them with versions of the clan origin myths of 

 the other clans, it seems likely that the short accounts represent the 

 more archaic versions and the longer accounts those versions that 



'" Myiatonuantsaid, " If a person asked me about the origin of life (i.e., of my clan) and did not give me 

 enough gifts or make enough offerings, I would tell him the minor version. Not until he gave me all that 

 was necessary would I tell him the true account." 



