The ‘Bear Ceremonial’ and Bear Rituals among the Khanty and the Sami

• Published in: Temenos - Nordic Journal of Comparative Religion
• Main Author: HÅKAN RYDVING
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Finnish Society for the Study of Religion 2010
• Subjects: Religion (General); BL1-50; khanty; sami
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.33356/temenos.6940; https://doaj.org/article/5b9f0d3e736b44e5b70a175529f746a3

Researchers from different fields of study agree on the importance of comparison, but debate over how to compare. Rather than comparing globally, on the basis of secondary literature and looking for similari ties alone, the article argues for a limitative approach that restricts itself to just a few cultures, is based on local sources, and takes both resemblances and differences into account. In contrast to the idea of a uniform and transcultural bear ceremonial in North Eurasia, it focuses on plurality and diversity in discussing and comparing the bear rituals found among the southern Khanty (about 1900) and the southern Sami (about 1750).