The spring bear dance ritual of the Mountain Maidu, locally, has been held at a variety of locations. It would be held near a stream, for water was an important element in the conclusion of the dance. One of the earliest sites was near Baxter Creek at Bass Hill referred to as the village of Yoskopin, also known as Lone Pine. This would be the late 1890s, early 1900s

There is not much historical documentation of this particular bear dance, versus those conducted by its Maidu neighbors over the mountain.  At the end of the ceremony, the Maidu go to the creek to wash their faces. The inscription on the back of this photograph, provides a little insight: “Last part of the Bear dance. The women put water on their heads to keep them good for the coming year.”

Tim