Post on 23-Feb-2016
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OriginsThe first traces of human society indicate that early people
everywhere worshiped consciously and deliberatelySome believe they ‘came out of this ground’ (origins are
beyond record)Worship and religion seem to have emerged with the ability
to recognize forces that could not be understood or mastered.
Anthropologists recognize that religions existed in the Neanderthal nomadic tribes
Arranged stones and boulders were positioned in ways that suggest they were possibly used for worship
Inside graves and shelters for the dead are bones, tools, ornaments and evidence of food offerings
Paintings and sculptures were located deeply in caves for the purpose of rituals
The after life was a great concernEarly humans would smooth sand around graves
in order to detect footprintsFrequently, the dead were re-buried—just in caseRituals were held for health, offspring, good
crops, and fertility. Archaeological evidence supports theory that
aboriginal peoples migrated from Asia to North and South America by crossing a land bridge over the Bering Strait (about 35 000 years ago)
Around the WorldApproximately 300 million Aboriginal people in
the world todayAt the time of Columbus about 100 million
indigenous peoples inhabited the Americas (about 1/5 of the human race)
Currently over 800 000 Aboriginal people
What makes one Aboriginal? - one of the original or earliest known
inhabitants of a country or region.- having existed in a region from the beginning
Sacred Time and Sacred SpaceNature is inhabited with spirit beings that can guide
humans. These spirit beings are called spirit guides.It is important to get in touch with one’s personal
spirit guide, and this is done through a vision quest. During this time, a person would stay in a remote area and fast and pray
Sweat Lodges- sauna like structures. The goal of a sweat lodge is to seek a vision of a guardian spirit
Some people also induce visions using peyote. This drug creates hallucinogenic visions that put them in touch with their spirit guide.
Sun Dance is a ritual that induces changes in consciousness through pain. They hang from poles attached to pegs driven through skin in their chest.
To the aboriginal person, the sacred is all around; in the animals, forest, lakes, etc.
Sweat LodgeTraditional way of healingDome shaped structure Constructed of saplings, covered with canvas,
hides, or blanketsPit in the middle of the floor where heated
rocks are placedStones sprinkled with tobacco, Eucalyptus oil
is poured over the stones and waterSteam produces sweat which purifies the bodyPhysical cleansing becomes spiritual cleansing
Vision QuestPart of a coming of age ceremonyA boy (or a girl) on the threshold of
adulthood would spend time alone in a place where contact with the spirit world was possible
Through fasting and prayer, seekers of the vision quest hoped to make contact with the spiritual realm
They want to share its power and gain a vision by which to direct his or her life
Sacred StoriesCreation Myth : explains the origins of earth
and individual aspects of nature.Trickster Myth: explains how suffering and
misery came to be.Hero Myth: idealizes the image of the good,
brave personDivine Myth: describes how gods came to beCultural Myth: explains how rituals and
customs came to be
BeliefsEvery part of the earth is sacredThe air is precious; it shares it’s spirit with all
life The earth is the mother. What hurts the earth
hurts the children of the earthAll things are connected like the blood that
unites us allThe earth is precious to the gods; to harm the
earth is to hate the creatorThe Fours: directions, elements, seasons,
ages, tribes (yellow, brown, red, white)
Beliefs continuedThe natural and supernatural are not
separatedAboriginals believe in animism- all things
(human and non-human) have spirits or soulsNatural elements, such as rocks, trees, lakes
and so on can take on mystic significance and have spiritual power
All things possess a life force and are equal, interrelated and interdependent
There is a supreme creator or Great Spirit called something different depending on the tribe
Beliefs continuedNative hunters would often apologize or offer
thanks to the animals they needed to kill, a way of paying homage
This belief of connection to animals include the totem animal
This totem is usually an animal that is part of the tribe’s daily experience and has a special kinship with it
Ceremonies are used to identify with the animal powers and keep a strong connection to the natural world
Community of FaithShaman (religious leader) Chief (political
leader)
Elders (make the decisions)
Tribe (followers)
ShamansA shaman is a magic specialist or a
witch doctor/medicine manShamans could control spirits. Shaman talked to spirits, spirits talked
through the shaman to the communityShamans went into deep trances
through drum beating, dancing, self-hypnosis, chanting and drugs—spirits could travel through them in this state
Sense of EthicsConcern for the common good of the groupCo-operation, generosity between people and
respect for the wisdom of children and the elders because they are closest to the Great Mystery