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Critter Play in Ancient Civilizations
This is a grouping of history that has been found connecting critter play to ancient civilizations, critter play is diverse and every player does it differently. That is shown here with the way different cultures preformed what can be considered critter play.​​
We shall start with the first record of fetishized critter play, proving that we have been doing this a lot longer than most think.
Nero (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (/ˈnɪəroÊŠ/ NEER-oh; born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus; 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68)
Was a Roman emperor and the final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his death in AD 68.) is supposed to have enjoyed a form of bondage with either male or female partners in which he dressed in animal skins to attack their genitals.
Suetonius, Life of Nero, Carlin A. Barton, The Sorrows of the Ancient Romans: The Gladiator and the Monster (Princeton University Press, 1993), p. 68.
The historian Dio ( Lucius Cassius Dio (c. 165 – c. 235),[i] also known as Dio Cassius (‹See Tfd›Greek: Δίων Κάσσιος Dion Kassios), was a Roman historian and senator of maternal Greek origin.) tells of how a prostitute pretended to be a leopard for the gratification of a senator.
The Zulu tribe in Africa had a traditional practice where children would dress up as dogs and perform tasks for their elders, often during festivals, which served both religious and entertainment purposes; this practice is sometimes referred to as "dog-like behavior" or "pup play" within the context of Zulu culture.
Key points about this practice:
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Symbolic meaning:
The dog is often seen as a loyal and obedient animal in many cultures, so children mimicking dog behavior could be seen as a way to demonstrate respect and submission to elders.
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Ritualistic aspects:
This practice might have been incorporated into certain religious ceremonies, potentially acting as a way to connect with ancestral spirits or to seek blessings.
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Entertainment value:
During festivals, the "dog-like" performances by children would often be a source of amusement and laughter for the community.
Vikings believed in a connection between themselves and wolves, and some Viking warriors acted in ways that imitated wolves:
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Ulfhéðnar
These warrior bands worshiped Odin and were said to wear wolf skins, bite their shields, howl, and fight with their fingernails. Some say they may have undergone a ritual to connect with the spirit of the wolf before battle.
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Animal obsession
Vikings were fascinated by animals and believed in animal persons, giving specific animals names, voices, and agency.
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Wolf initiation
In some societies, young people would go through an initiation that involved living as a wolf. This may have been a military initiation where young warriors would assimilate wolf behavior and wear wolf skins
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Norse mythology:
In Norse mythology, Odin, the chief god, is often depicted with two wolves named Geri and Freki, further associating wolves with power and ferocity.
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Ritualistic behavior:
Some scholars believe that Viking warriors might have participated in initiation rituals where they imitated wolves, possibly involving wearing wolf skins and engaging in aggressive displays to tap into the wolf's spirit.
The history of critter play goes back thousands of years--it's been recorded in Native American tribes such as the Lakota Sioux, who referred to it as "huhuza" (meaning "to act like an animal").