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Paper short abstract

An examination of the special role of bears in the consciousness of Scottish Gaels from early times to the present despite having become extinct in Scotland. Particular attention will be paid to their active re-emergence in the oral traditions of 19th century diaspora communities in Canada.

Paper long abstract

From at least medieval times bears have been accorded a distinct status in Gaelic consciousness, as evidenced in Old Irish by personal names and by the various noa names applied. When the bear became extinct in Scotland is not certain, with accounts/opinions ranging from the medieval period to the late 16th century, yet over the succeeding centuries its presence in popular tradition has persisted the form of clan names, apotropaic prayers and the recitation of traditional narrative. With the Gaelic diaspora and the founding of rural communities in early 19th Canada, direct contact was renewed. The encounters, usually involving the protection of livestock, gave rise to a series of songs by local bards, commonly titled Òran a’ Mhathain’ ‘The Bear Song’ as well as at least one dramatic account from oral history. One song has come down in print from the early 20th century Nova Scotia Gaelic language newspaper Mac-Talla; the majority are to be found in field sound recordings made on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia during the late 20th century and now held in regional archives. These sources will be examined in detail with regard to questions such as anthropomorphism and sentience (bears in addition to being capable of human speech in the songs often express their own side of the encounters); descriptions of appearance and character; traditional views of nature; and humour in describing potentially drastic confrontations. Where appropriate, prose narratives from the field accompanying songs will be included in the presentation.