Story Summary
Explore the Tlingit legend The Girl Who Married a Bear, a haunting tale of a woman's journey into the animal realm and the consequences of disrespecting nature.
A high-born Tlingit girl, while gathering berries with her companions, slipped on bear dung and cursed the animals aloud. As the sun dipped below the horizon, she found herself separated from her group. A handsome young man appeared, offering to help her carry her heavy basket and lead her home. Captivated by his strength, she followed him to a hidden village, unaware he was a grizzly bear in human form. They married, and she eventually bore two sons who were half-human and half-bear. Though she grew to love her husband and the bear people, her brothers never stopped searching for her. Years later, they tracked the family to a mountain cave. Realizing his fate, the Bear Husband taught his wife the sacred songs and rituals for his own death to ensure his spirit was honored. He allowed her brothers to kill him. The girl returned to her village with her sons, but she could no longer find peace among humans. Haunted by her time in the wild, she eventually transformed fully into a bear, returning to the forest forever.
The Moral
Respect all living creatures and the natural world, as your words and actions carry weight that can bridge or break the boundaries between worlds.
“Never mock the ones who walk the silent paths of the forest.”
Fun Fact
This legend is so culturally significant that it is often depicted in totem poles, mask carvings, and Chilkat blankets throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Girl Who Married a Bear?
The central moral is the importance of respecting nature and wildlife. It teaches that humans are interconnected with animals and that hubris or disrespect toward the natural world can lead to life-altering consequences.
Which Native American tribe does this legend come from?
The story is a prominent legend among the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, specifically the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes. It is often told to explain the origins of bear-related clans.
Why did the girl marry the bear?
She was lured away by the bear who appeared to her in a handsome human form after she insulted his kind. In the spirit world of many Northwest tribes, animals have the power to take on human appearance and live in villages just like people.
What happened to the children in the story?
The girl's sons were born with dual natures, part human and part bear. After their father's death, they returned to the human village with their mother, but they eventually returned to the wild as they could not fully belong to human society.
How did the Bear Husband die?
Knowing that his wife's brothers were coming for him, the Bear Husband accepted his fate. He taught his wife the proper hunting songs and funeral rites to ensure his spirit was treated with respect before allowing the brothers to kill him.
What is the cultural significance of the Bear Mother story?
It serves as a foundational myth for many clans, establishing the kinship between humans and bears. It also dictates the traditional protocols and rituals hunters must follow when killing a bear to appease its spirit.
