These carefully balanced creatures suggest the angakoq poised between heaven and earth, ready for transformation and flight. A shamanic bear can be recognized by a short thick neck, the one remaining sign of human identity. The Inuit believe that after death they return as an animal … thus continuing the chain of life. The Bear represents the “king” of the Arctic animal kingdom so to return as a polar bear is the most favored choice. Returning as a polar bear the Inuk is happy and dances to show pleasure of joy … this is the legend of the dancing bear
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