The religious ceremony in Ainu culture described in this reading is known as the “bear sacrifice.” Through analyzing its techniques, readers come to the realization that the ritual’s spiritual, psychological and physical aspects assist in achieving the ultimate goal. The bear in Ainu culture stands as the chief divinity. It is a deity that descended from the heavens as gift, disguised as a bear. The flesh and skin of the deity’s disguise is the god’s offering to humankind. The sacrifice ritual turns this gift from the heavens into a “return gift” as it ascends back to the heavens from the lower world. Through this ceremony, the Ainu express gratitude towards the spirits and ancestors for the blessings they have bestowed upon mankind. Once the bear cub has been captured, it is taken into care by the Ainu in the same way they would nurture an infant. The Ainu believe that this god has been sent into the world for them to hunt. Given utmost care and affection, the cub is often cared for far more than children being that it is ‘god’ in the eyes of the Ainu.` The bear is raised as part of the family producing a strong psychological bond among its members often leaving them in tears when the cub is dead. This affection conveys the appreciation again for the …show more content…
A pole, keomande-ul, is ornamented at its top with inao and place within the nusa. The skulls of slain bears receive a place of honor in their huts as they are set up on sacred posts outside the huts. The bear’s head is preserved and worshipped, perhaps the Ainu believe its spirits remain within the skull. Every person present at the feast is required to eat some of the meat no matter the quantity. Through consumption, man obtains a close relationship with the “little divinity.” Moreover, taking part in the feast and creating inao implies a significance in maintaining social and religious Ainu