Activity 2 - What’s In A Name?

All

To explore how our understanding of, and relationship to something is connected to what we call it

Creative Writing
 
1. In many cultures the bear was feared and revered so much that the people were not allowed to speak the word Bear. Instead, people referred to this great animal using descriptive terms of his/her appearance or personality.
Here are some names that were used in place of the word ‘bear’ in different cultures around the world:

• Angry One, Big Great Food, Black Food, Food of the Fire, Good-tempered Beast (Cree)
• Holy Animal, Master of the Forest, Old Man of the Mountain,  Sacred Virgin, Step-widener, Wide-way, Winter-sleeper, Wise Man
• Wooly One (Lapp)
• Worthy Old Man  (Ural Altaic)
• Big Hairy One, Unmentionable One (Blackfoot)
• Divine One, Who Rules the Mountains  (Ainu)
• Great Man, Owner of the Earth (Siberian)
• The Strong One  (Taqlish)
• Woodmaster  (Samoyed)
• Fine Young Chief, He Who Lives in the Den, Reared in the Mountains (Navajo)
• Broadfoot (Estonian)   
• Grandfather (many cultures)

a) What kinds of creatures are conjured up by these names?
b) What would you call the Great Bear?

2. Write a story about a bear without using the word ‘bear.’ See if you can portray the character of a bear without using its common name.

a) Read your story to a friend to see if they can guess what animal your story is about.
b) Does the name you chose suggest your relationship to the bear? (eg. Grandfather/grandchild)
c) Does that relationship require you to act in a certain way toward the bear? (eg. Would you show respect, fear or love?)
d) Did your view of bears change when you re-named them?

• Effective and evocative use of language
• Demonstration of respect for the bear and its place in various cultures

Social Studies; Language Learning

Introduction – Activities – Glossary – Guided Program
Whyte Museum – Bears: 2000 and Beyond Teacher's Guide