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AP PHOTOS: In Romania, hundreds dance in bear skins for festive ‘dancing bear festival’
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Date:2025-04-17 20:52:57
COMANESTI, Romania (AP) — Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania donned bear skins and danced to fend off evil spirits. That custom is today known as the Dancing Bears Festival, drawing crowds of tourists every December.
Hundreds of people of all ages, clad in bear costumes, dance every year around Christmas to the deafening beat of drums and roam villages and towns. The highlight of this year’s festival falls on Dec. 30, with bear-clad dancers descending on the town of Comanesti, in eastern Romania, for the finale.
Visitors come from as far as Japan to see the spectacle, featuring lines of people in costumes with gaping bear jaws and claws marching and dancing. Giant red pompom decorations are usually added to the furs. Some of the “bears” jokingly growl or pretend to attack the spectators.
Locals say the custom dates back to the pre-Christianity era when people believed that wild animals staved off misfortune or danger. Dancing “bears” visited people’s homes and knocked on their doors to wish them good luck and a Happy New Year.
Members of a traditional bear pack perform in a festival in Moinesti, northern Romania, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
“The bear runs through our veins, it is the spirit animal for those in our area,” said Costel Dascalu, who started taking part in the festival when he was 8. At the time, Romania was still under communist rule and the festival was relatively low-key.
“I want to keep the tradition alive,” the 46-year-old added. When the holiday season approaches, he joked, “our breath smells like bears, and we get goose bumps when we hear the sound of drums.”
Residents are happy that the tradition has lived on after many Romanians left the region in the 1990s to look for better jobs in Western Europe.
Brown bears are widely present in Romania’s traditions and culture, and the animals can often be seen by mountain roads and in forests. Excessive bear hunting prompted the authorities to issue a ban in 2016.
Participants in the festival say most of the bear skins they use as costumes have been preserved for generations and treated with great care.
Wearing a full-sized bear fur isn’t easy: Including the head and claws, the costume could weigh up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds). The most expensive bear skins can cost some 2,000 euros ($2,200), according to local media.
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack put on their outfits in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring villages to perform the bear dance ritual. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Members of a traditional bear pack wait on a bus before performing in a festival in Moinesti, northern Romania, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A member of the Sipoteni bear pack loads his costume on a bus, in Comanesti, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, before touring villages in the area to perform the bear dance ritual. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A member of the Sipoteni bear pack loads costumes on a bus, in Comanesti, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, before touring villages in the area to perform the bear dance ritual. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A member of the Sipoteni bear pack loads costumes on a bus, in Comanesti, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, before touring villages in the area to perform the bear dance ritual. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A member of the Sipoteni bear pack sits on a bus in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring villages to perform the bear dance ritual. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack perform a ritual dance in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack perform a ritual dance in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack kiss after perform a ritual dance in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A woman takes a selfie picture with members of the Sipoteni bear pack after watching their performance in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack perform a ritual dance in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Romanian gendarmes pose for a photograph with members of the Sipoteni bear pack after watching their performance in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack walk along a stream in Vasieni, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring village homes to perform the ritual bear dance. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack walk in Vasieni, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring village homes to perform the ritual bear dance. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack strike the final pose of their performance in Vasieni, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring village homes. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack strike the final pose of their performance in Preluci, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring village homes. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack perform their ritual dance at a village house in Brusturoasa, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
People look at members of the Sipoteni bear pack performing their ritual dance at a village house in Brusturoasa, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A man watches members of the Sipoteni bear pack performing their ritual dance at a neighbor’s house in Brusturoasa, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack relax after their performance in Preluci, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring village homes. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Members of a traditional bear pack enjoy a snack before performing in a festival in Moinesti, northern Romania, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The thumb of a female member of the Sipoteni bear pack peers from inside her costume in Preluci, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring village homes. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Members of a traditional bear pack take part in a parade before performing in a festival in Moinesti, northern Romania, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Members of a traditional bear pack enjoy a snack before performing in a festival in Moinesti, northern Romania, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A member of the Sipoteni bear pack takes a break after performing a ritual dance at a village house in Brusturoasa, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Members of the Sipoteni bear pack strike cast shadows on the gate of a village house in Vasieni, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
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