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Dancing Bear Gifts

While many collectibles featuring dancing bears show the caricatures to be smiling and entertaining, the history of bear training is rooted in economic depression and animal brutality. According to British Broadcasting Company News, the tradition of raising bear cubs for circus-like entertainment ended December 2009. At one time, a gift of dancing bears could be enjoyed in person for a small fee throughout India and some European countries. Today, history must be captured through memorabilia.

Significance
- Centuries before Ivan Pavlov proved conditional reflex training with dogs, the nomadic Qalandar tribe of India was using this model to train sloth bear cubs to respond to music. According to Encyclopedia Brittanica associate editor Lorraine Murray, the Qalandar are recognized by the Indian government as being some of the country's poorest people. Training bears to dance has been a source of livelihood. In doing so, however, mother bears were killed and cubs were subjected to beatings, hot pokers, teeth removal and balancing on hot plates to the sound of music to mimic dancing. Collecting dancing bear memorabilia is nostalgic for some and triumphant for those who fought for humane rights for the bears.
Entertaining Gifts
- Electronic teddy bears that dance at the flip of a switch may be purchased. These are whimsical gifts and least reminiscent of the Indian sloth bear. Most are battery-operated and do not require upkeep except to make sure the batteries don't get old and leak acid and explode inside the toy. They are available for as low as $20 and are decorated with childlike outfits and facial expressions for an innocent entertainment option.
Functional Gifts
- Some dancing bear gifts serve many useful purposes beyond entertaining. These gifts range widely in price from $20 to more than $1,000. When seeking out these items, however, keep in mind that because bears represent the winter, their images are usually imprinted on items associated with keeping warm. Dancing bear images can be purchased on floor rugs, stove top accessories, outdoor fire pits, candle holders, throw blankets and coffee mugs.
Decorative Gifts
- Dancing bear images are light-hearted. They can be found on decorative household items that serve no more purpose than to bring a smile to the face of the owner. Pricing of decorative dancing bear gifts vary just like those of functional gifts. Decorative gifts to look for with dancing bear images include wooden door curtains, mantel plates, stationary teddy bears, baskets, calendars, wall tapestries, beer glasses, shot glasses and Christmas tree ornaments.

Collecting Memorabilia