ORIGINS / FOUNDERS
Indigenous religions are religions that were passed orally because of a lack of written texts. These religions were the religions that survived through civilizations and time -- making them native. However, terms such as native, traditional, and oral, are all inadequate because they have different connotations. Therefore, "indigenous" is used to describe the religions because it gives a neutral tone. Indigenous religions are located throughout the world -- Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and the Americas. Each indigenous religion has no clear origin or definite founder. Indigenous religions were the first religion of native people.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
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SCRIPTURES / SACRED TEXTS
In indigenous religion, scriptures/sacred texts play a major role in being physical representations of religious traditions. However, many indigenous religions were unable to spread their ideas/history through written text since they were non-literate. To compensate for their lack of writing, indigenous religions passed down their traditions with storytelling and chants. They also passed down traditions with the use of art and music. The few sacred texts that exist usually have a close relationship with nature and spirits that live within it. They depict ideas, actions, and consequences of religious traditions within the text. Sacred texts emphasize a strong kinship with nature. All beings and things are seen as a sacred community and are involved in communication spiritually. Indigenous religions believe that ancestors and nature should be respected.
BELIEFS AND PRACTICES
In indigenous religions, taboos are actions perceived as religiously off limits. The belief is that committing a taboo will anger Gods and ancestors. Their purpose is to protect individuals from dangerous activities and keep good relationships with ancestors. Violating a taboo means crossing a spiritual line, and leads to bad consequences. However, people are given the opportunity to make sacrifices to condone for their sins. For example, making contact with blood is perceived as a taboo because it is mysterious and dangerous. In today’s world, taboos are perceived much differently.
Rite of passage is a practice commonly seen in indigenous religions that mark an individuals journey in life. They happen at birth, adulthood, and death. Rites of passage are very important for individuals and society. In the first rite of passage, a person experiences birth rituals that mark their entry into a faith. In the second rite of passage, boys and girls prepare themselves for adulthood. It’s seen as an initiation process. Males undergo painful rituals to strengthen them while females are celebrated through dance after their first menstrual period. The third rite of passage is death. During this passage, loved ones of the deceased perform rituals to prepare them for the afterlife. All three passages are performed differently in today’s world then they did in indigenous religions.
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
In indigenous religions, women did not have a significant role unless they were Shamans. If a women was a Shaman she was able to connect people with the spiritual world and this gave them an important purpose.
If a women was not a Shamans they were left to the domestic care for the family.
Women did not really have important roles besides the home and children care. Women were often treated poorly and taken advantage of unless giving birth to a child because then they are seen as powerful beings during this time.
ART / ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
The art in indigenous religions were sacred objects and images that were essential to the religious expression itself. The objects were functional to be used in a certain way and was not seen as art. The origins and religious expression were displayed through masks, drums, statues, rattles and more.
Totem Poles were wood carvings and were made up of totems which each were animal figures that had symbolic meaning. Chants were the repetition of sacred words to recreate the stories of the religious traditions. Masks were significant especially in rituals or dancing. They represented spirits or even gods and we worn often in dance.
POPULAR CULTURE
Indigenous religions can be seen or referenced in popular culture of today, especially in films. It can be seen even in some children Disney movies. The two examples listed below are beloved Disney animated films that make reference to indigenous religions. The references of shamans, ancestors, totems, and animism (every single thing has a spirit or is alive).
BROTHER BEAR (2003)
Pocahontas (1995)
Pocahontas is another Disney animated film that is based known history and folklore of the Native American princess, Pocahontas and her encounter with Englishman John Smith during the actual settlement of Jamestown, Virginia. Pocahontas actually comes from an indigenous religion as a Powhatan Native American. From her movie, the reference of animism is seen, it is even sang in her song “Colors of the Wind”. She mentions that everything “has a life, has a spirit, has a name”. This references to indigenous religions due to the common belief that everything in the universe is alive and has a spirit. The indigenous people treated nature with the utmost respect because they believed they were connected to it as well.
Another example in the movie of animism is Grandmother Willow, who is a talking willow tree that comforts and gives Pocahontas advice. It an ordinary tree that has the spirit of her grandmother in it that Pocahontas comes to talk to in time of need or discovery. Pocahontas is a great movie to watch when it comes to finding references from indigenous religions!
The Proposal
Grandma Annie is giving thanks to Mother Earth for the creation of nature that surrounds them and for bringing Andrew (her grandson) and Margaret together in "marriage". She insists Margaret dances with her to celebrate such events and for "her loins to be fertile". In the native societies, rituals are the basic way in which human beings ensure they are living in harmony with each other and nature.
It appears to be inspired by tribal rituals with a with dancing (especially around a fire) and chants. The attire Grandma Annie is wearing seems to be similar to indigenous religions such as the feather head gear and shawl with an animal on it done in the style. |
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