Pomo Bear Doctors

Name: Pomo Bear Doctors
Author: S. A. Barrett

By S. A. Barrett

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About This Book

The essay examines an indigenous California belief in practitioners who assume grizzly-bear attributes to harm enemies, focusing on a Pomo variant in which the practitioner’s power resides in a ritual-crafted bearskin suit rather than in a guardian spirit. It presents a mythic origin account together with practical descriptions of acquisition of power, helpers and hiding places, construction and consecration of the magic suit, weapon use, ceremonial rites surrounding donning and handling the suit, and means of communication among practitioners. Comparative notes consider neighboring groups, and informants report independent operation, occasional meetings at secluded springs, and reciprocal vulnerability among these figures.

About the Author

S. A. Barrett

S. A. Barrett was an American ethnographer and anthropologist known for his extensive studies of Native American cultures, particularly those of the Pomo people in California. His notable works, "Ceremonies of the Pomo Indians" and "Pomo Bear Doctors," provide valuable insights into the rituals, beliefs, and practices of the Pomo community. Barrett's research contributes significantly to the understanding of indigenous traditions and has been influential in the fields of anthropology and ethnology. Through his detailed observations and documentation, he has helped preserve the cultural heritage of the Pomo Indians for future generations.