Comments on: Andean Bears: Peppers and Maize

By: Barbara Drake

Barbara Drake — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:15:00 +0000

I would have enjoyed seeing that presentation on Andean culture and “el oso.” It is rather mysterious how the Andean bear came to be so central to Andean rituals given how rare they are compared to llamas and alpacas in Peru.

This June I’m returning to the pilgrimage of Qoyllur Rit’i and may follow a group of ukukus from a town near Sicuani, who make the pilgrimage on foot. (Strong guys!) I think that taking on the persona of the Andean bear gives strength, stamina and courage to the young men.

The question for a biologist is: Do Andean bears really demonstrate these traits? Or are they just projections by human beings?

By: Russ Van Horn

Russ Van Horn — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:12:39 +0000

Although I didn’t see any wild Andean bears during this field season in Perú, I’m not too surprised that I didn’t given how reclusive they are.
I’ve seen the ukukus in a couple of dances, and like you I’ve found them intriguing. Other biologists have pursued this further than I. In fact, one of the presentations at this November’s symposium on the Andean bear focused on the role of the Andean bear in the Andean culture.

By: Barbara Drake

Barbara Drake — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:20:15 +0000

Russ — I’m fascinated to learn of your research on the Andean spectacled bear — an elusive creature even for scientists to study, it seems. I first became interested in this bear when I was looking into the symbolism of the “ukuku” — a masked figure in Andean danzas (dance-dramas) which is said to be half-man, half-bear. The role of the ukukus is danced by young men in the Andes, who wear long woolly robes and knitted masks.

The ukuku figure is very important in Andean mythology, which is intriguing given how rarely people see these bears.

Have you caught sight of any in your fieldwork?

– Barb of An American in Lima