like a decade ago, i read this syncretic southeastern NA indigenous cosmology once talking about the mythical origin of various phenomena, medicine, disease, etc. anyway, the myth of bears was that they used to be humans. they were distinct group of early humans who turned away from civilized life. building homes/settlements, sewing crops, engaging in trade, developing communal ritual. the humans who would become bears were like, “nah, this is not for us” and turned their backs on the other humans, hiding from them in the forests. the people saw them as a living example of primitivism, and not to be followed along their path because it made them “foolish”.

the video of that goofus standing up right and waving reminded me of that.