what is indigenous religion

For instance, in many indigenous religions, contact with blood is taboo (spiritually prohibited). The interaction between African religions and Christianity gave rise to at least two new religions: Vodou, which is dominant in Haiti, and Santería, which is widely practiced in Cuba. Similarly, American Indians are the indigenous peoples of North America. He achieves this position not as a result of an initiation ceremony but as a result of having a strong pwen, that is, a powerful lwa. Some believe in multiple gods. Bellegarde-Smith, Patrick. A few of the important orishas include the following: Ésù: The messenger of the orisha, an intermediary between the orishas and humans. Priestesses are called lyalochas or santeras. Characteristics, traits, elements of an Indigenous religion. Consequently, we can only experience its shadow. Within the study of religion there has been much debate as to what the scope of the category should be, largely arising from debates over what the term "indigenous" should best encompass. Later in the eighth century ce the beliefs of Bon and of Buddhism merged to form a religion unique to Tibet. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. African indigenous religions do not worship the objects but the spirits they believe animate, or enliven, these forces of nature. God is seen as the creator of all things who sustains (maintains), provides for, and protects creation with both justice and mercy. Some If that figure is accurate, it would make this group, taken together, the seventh-largest religious group in the world. “Indigenous,” she admits, is a political classification invoked to protect the rights of certain colonized minority peoples. In some cases, practitioners of new religions like Heathenry have sought to present theirs as "indigenous religions" although have faced scepticism from scholars of religion. Of Water and Spirit: Ritual, Magic, and Initiation in the Life of an African Shaman. The ritual practices of the Iroquois were passed down through generations. He-no controlled the weather. Additionally, an indigenous religion play a key function especially in the preservation of the members' conventional way of living. Yoruba is an African language spoken primarily in Nigeria and in parts of Togo and Benin. At the next level, the person is considered si pwen, sur point, meaning that he or she enjoys the patronage of a lwa and can receive the sacred rattle. Others inhabit the trees, mountains, and rocks. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. The eastern woodlands of North America were dominated by the Iroquois tribe, who developed one of the most advanced and organized civilizations on the continent. Two religions in Central America have their roots, at least partially, in African religious beliefs. That task is left to a group of lesser spirits. In contemporary life, the indigenous religions of Africa have enjoyed a revival. Encyclopedia of Native American Religions: An Introduction. The Hebrew calendar follows the agricultural cycle of the land of Judea (modern day Israel and the Palestinian territories). Helping to ward off the influence of these evil spirits is a class of shamans, priests, and diviners. It represents the past, present, and future. This symbolism was used in Sioux living arrangements. The work I provide is guaranteed to be plagiarism free, original, and written from scratch. These rhythms, called oru, change to one associated with a particular orisha. For Hindus, the swastika is a reminder that God is present in all things. Do Indigenous peoples practice religion?? Next, ask five (5) people what their definition of religion is. Indigenous religions is a category used in the study of religion to demarcate the religious belief systems of communities described as being "indigenous". An indigenous religious group tends to live within a specific bioregion, or a region with a relatively uniform environment and ecology (mountain, desert, rainforest, or plains). In Kenya, it has the names Akuj, Asis, Mulungu, Mungu, Ngai, and Nyasaye. than hunters. ." Their teachings have been conveyed primarily by word of mouth rather than through written texts. Further, both religions are extremely loosely organized. New York: Penguin Books, 1994: page 222. Choose from 500 different sets of what is religion indigenous religions flashcards on Quizlet. They have no fixed set of teachings and readily absorb the beliefs of other religious systems. Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years. The Māori have a rich culture with many gods and many stories, the first being the story of how light and life came into the world. A proper understanding of Vodou, sometimes spelled vodun or vodoun, requires distinguishing it from the Western stereotype. Unlike many non-Indigenous cultures, Native spirituality is not a discrete part of life, but is integrated with the culture as a whole, with nature, and with generations gone by. Care of the Sacred Pipe, also known as the Calf Pipe, was given to the Sioux by a spirit called White Buffalo Woman. While these ceremonies can take place in homes, they often take place in privately owned peristyles (open spaces surrounded by columns), which serve the same purpose as churches or temples. The Origin of Life and Death: African Creation Myths. The cross is a reminder of Jesus's sacrifice, love, and forgiveness. They are also attracted by the strong environmental component of many indigenous religions. Indigenous religions are practiced by native peoples around the world. Most African indigenous religions believe in a supreme God. A principal belief of Santeros is that the universe is motivated by ashe, a growth and movement forward to divinity. . World Religions Reference Library. When reference is made to the Primal Indigenous religion, cultural connotations are pretty much unavoidable. Do you need help with your What is religion? More properly the religion is referred to as Regla de Ocha, or sometimes just Ocha, meaning "The Rule of the Orisha," referring to the gods of Santería. One example was He-no, to whom the Great Spirit gave the thunderbolt. These tribal influences led to the development of at least three sects, or subgroups or denominations, of Vodou. Powers, John. His or her status becomes similar to that of a Christian The term is commonly applied to a range of different belief systems across the Americas, Australasia, Asia, Africa, and Northern Europe, particularly to those practiced by communities living under the impact of colonialism. The best estimate of the number of practitioners of indigenous religious beliefs is about 300 million. . 30 ce), made for them when he died on the cross. Furthermore, the Apache had little in the way of formal ceremonies for such events as marriage and death. Indigenous religions is a category used in the study of religion to demarcate the religious belief systems of communities described as being “indigenous“. Hirschfelder, Arlene, and Paulette Molin. Indigenous definition is - produced, growing, living, or occurring natively or naturally in a particular region or environment. The differences between Vodou denominations are differences in the nature of one's participation. Theology may be monotheistic, polytheistic, henotheistic, animistic, shamanistic, pantheisticor any combination thereof, among others. Please respond to the following: Think about what you think religion is. ." ••• These religions would be indigenous to that region of the world. Good spirits can be divided into two categories. The word indigenous refers to anything that is native to a particular geographical region. Both Hinduism and Jainism share sacred symbols: the aum and the swastika. The aum, or om, in Hinduism represents a sacred sound that stands for all of God that is knowable and unknowable. Vodou is a blend of three different religious traditions. Just as the assan, or rattle, is a symbol in Vodou and the hoop is sacred to the Sioux, Christianity, Hinduism, and Jainism have objects that are special to their followers. The Iroquois were surrounded by forest wilderness. Interest in this religion has grown as Tibet has become a more popular tourist destination. Tibetans historically have believed that their harsh, mountainous country is inhabited by spirits and supernatural forces that have a direct effect on people's lives. They believe in the concept of God and the supernatural. Ògún: The god of war, battles, metal, roads, agriculture, and justice. An individual shaman is believed to have special wisdom and insight and can communicate with this spirit world, including ancestors, to heal the sick. Therefore, it’s best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publication’s requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. It is in this way that African indigenous religions explain such misfortunes as drought, failed crops, and illness. Since its introductio…, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tibet/understand/bon.html, https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/indigenous-religions, Transculturation and Religion: Religion in the Formation of the Modern Caribbean. The word zombie has entered the English vocabulary to refer to a person who is "spaced out" or whose behavior is unconnected to the world. (Sometimes the word shamanism is used Most notably, the Roman exile of the Jews following the destruction the Second Temple in 70 CE. For the Shona group, rusero is a tool used by women and it is symbolic for the hard work at home by the mothers. According to Vodou the soul comprises three parts. While the nature of the Great Spirit remained undefined, the Iroquois developed detailed descriptions of these lesser spirits, called Ho-no-che-no-keh, or Invisible Agents. In contrast to the major monotheistic (believing in one god) religions, African indigenous religions tend to believe that God, after creating the world, withdrew and is not involved in the day-to-day affairs of humans. [4], The Japanese religion Shinto is often described as an "indigenous religion", although the scholar of Asian studies John K. Nelson noted that it is often left "unclear" as to what is meant by the term "indigenous" in this context. As in other religions, African indigenous religions recognize the importance of ritual, which is a way of carrying out a ceremony or event. For instance, the Yoruba religion has historically been centered in southwestern Nigeria, the Zulu religion in southern Africa, and the Igbo religion in southeastern Nigeria. These people brought Catholicism with them. These may include departed as well as yet-to-be-born human beings, beings in the so-called “natural world” of flora and fauna, and visible entities that are not animate by Western standards, such as mountains, springs, lakes, and clouds. For native communities religion is understood as the relationship between living humans and other persons or things, however they are conceived. Glazier, Stephen D. Encyclopedia of African and African-American Religions. "Bon: A Heterodox System." For instance, in many indigenous religions, contact with blood is taboo (spiritually prohibited). Richman, Karen E. Migration and Vodou. These differences represent each tribe's response to the physical conditions of the environment in which they lived. Practice of their African religious beliefs was forbidden. The Sioux had no permanent settlements. Therefore, an indigenous religion would be loosely defined as a spiritual or religious belief system that originated or began in a certain geographic region, and was inherently native to its inhabitants. The people were imagined as united in a circle, just as the four directions of the compass were seen as part of a vast circle that This entry presents a brief, general picture of Africa's traditional religious heritage, focusing on the major beliefs because these underlie the…, religion The diverse indigenous religions prevail in companion with a similar set of concepts that characterize indigenous religions in the current world. In decades past, the term "medicine man" was used to refer to these people. In Europe and the USA there are separate institutes for the study of ATR and culture. Santeros (those who practice Santería) themselves sometimes regard the name "Santería" as offensive. Learning about the Māori myths and legends is a core part of the New Zealand school curriculum. While the world's indigenous religions show remarkable variety, they also tend to show important similarities. The religions also promote a system of morality (values) and good behavior. While they survived by hunting and fishing, they also relied on agriculture. You will not covet your neighbor's properties. Makaya, another branch, shares many of the beliefs of orthodox Vodou but differs in its ceremonial practices. Traditions are maintained orally (by word of mouth) through the generations. Indigenous Religion. Available at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tibet/understand/bon.html (accessed on October 12, 2005). One is a belief in a single, supreme God, called Gran Met, meaning "Great Master," or Bondye. Called to Heal: African Shamanic Healers. [3] At the same time, he noted that "indigenous religionists" do not numerically make up the majority of religious people. in the Congo, the supreme God is variously called Akongo, Arebati, Djakomba, Katshonde, Kmvoum, Leza, and Nzambi. The Apache did not give much attention to the concept of an afterlife. In Tibet, many people who are officially Buddhist continue to practice the folk religion called Bon. The word wakan is used to suggest this mysteriousness and unpredictability. Another symbol was the Sacred Pipe, which symbolized the unity of the Sioux people with the earth, of which the pipe is made. The term is commonly applied to a range of different belief systems across the Americas, Australasia, Asia, Africa, and Northern Europe, particularly to those practiced by communities living under the impact of colonialism. These initiates receive the sacred asson, or rattle, and thereby become the chief organizers of Vodou ceremonies. That in some projects – in the typical projects of Religious Studies, where you try to classify religions – then the emphasis will almost always be on the latter word, on religion, and the adjective indigenous becomes a sort of classifier to say that this is a different religion: it’s from the other classes of religions. These men did not develop a set of dogmas or beliefs but tried to help the Dakota people understand their place in the world. Many of these rituals mark important occasions, such as planting or gathering a harvest. Osun: The goddess of fresh water, beauty, and health, in contrast to Nàná, the goddess of swamp mud and stagnant water. Although often referred to as one of the "three religions", mainly due to Eurocentrism and whitewashing, Judaism is one of the best examples of an "indigenous religion". The chief characteristic of Sioux religious belief was a sense of oneness and unity between the natural and the supernatural worlds. AFRICAN RELIGIONS In time, Islam came to dominate such North African countries as Libya and Egypt. Indigenous Beliefs. Practitioners of Vodou also believe that spiritual energy can be manipulated to perform magic. Orthodox Vodou reflects the traditions of the Dahomean and Apologies for the mistake. Universally, every indigenous religion has a link with a super-mighty being that forms the centrality of worship by the natives of a community. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Indigenous or ethnic religions include those that are specifically defined by ethnicity. For example, the orisha Babalz Ayi became Saint Lazarus, the patron saint of the sick. religion, a thing of the past or a dead religion. God rules over the universe. He (or She) is all-knowing and all-powerful. Traditional Native American religions are a prime example. Indigenous Religion. Indigenous religions are not bound by formal theologies. Indigenous religions transmit wisdom, cultural values, and history, not through formal education but through myths, storytelling, drama, and art. Although the term can be potentially offensive and hurtful, many who practice the religion have accepted it. The dominant influence on the development of Vodou, however, was that of the various African tribes. Indigenous beliefs are those that you find in a place “naturally”. A synonym often used for indigenous is "native," but the word native in connection with peoples and their cultures is potentially offensive. In all likelihood, however, this number is inexact, in part because the lines between indigenous and imported religions are not always distinct. These spirits are similar to the angels and demons of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Examples of synthetic religions can be found in the Caribbean. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. A prominent symbol of the Christian faith is the cross. Because the southwestern deserts lack seasons that are as noticeable as those of the Northeast or the Great Plains, the Apache did not celebrate seasonal events. Bon was once a flourishing religion in Tibet. The Pipe remained in the hands of a keeper. This began to change with the spread of Christianity and Islam into Africa. African indigenous religions, like many Western religions (the religions of countries in Europe and the Americas), believe in evil spirits as well. native religion, especially one practiced now or in the past by the indigenous peoples of the area. Santeros counter that the animals are sacrificed humanely and that they are eaten afterwards. This category is often juxtaposed against others such as the "world religions" and "new religious movements". As they spread, they moved into nearby northern Africa. Indigenous religions, sometimes also called folk religions, are faiths that developed among the native inhabitants of a particular geographical place. The religion centers around the beliefs of family ghosts as well as primeval spirits residing in a particular area. The shamans help people perform rituals either to enlist the help of the spirits or to overcome the harmful effects of spirits. Ceremonial ways can vary widely and are based on the differing histories and beliefs of individual tribes, clans, and bands. African religious beliefs were carried to the New World and evolved into different religious traditions in different geographical regions. Like Central American Santeros, practitioners of Candomblé worship orishas, or lesser gods. These experiences were most often expressed in the form of a dance inspired by the tribal member's personal vision. The word, meaning "the way of the saints," was an insulting term that Spanish colonists applied to the religion practiced by their African slaves. Both of these religions were founded in the Middle East (Christianity in Palestine, Islam in modern-day Saudi Arabia). Then look up a definition of religion from outside of the book (cite your source). "Wakan people," such as the White Buffalo Woman, interacted with the world and controlled humans' lives. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 1995. The religious practices of Native Americans is an indigenous religion as are the spiritual practices of south American Indians and Australian bush men. Even asking the question "How many?" For instance, African shamans who practice Christianity alongside indigenous beliefs will often say that they have mystical powers that come from the Holy Spirit, which enable them to channel the spirits of others. The Spanish colonists, however, virtually exterminated these peoples. In many African religions the priest is responsible for the rituals surrounding a particular spirit or group of spirits. [7], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indigenous_religion&oldid=993440451, Religious faiths, traditions, and movements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 December 2020, at 16:55. The third denomination reflects the traditions from the Kongo tribe. Accordingly, living conditions for the Apache were difficult. People could choose whether to obey the Great Spirit or to give in to the temptations of the Evil-Minded. This force created the universe. unified Tibet was formed, Buddhism was chosen as the official religion. Within the world was a motivating force, an energy, called wakan tanka. Nigerian tribes. Unlike the Sioux, they were gatherers rather For Indigenous Peoples, culture is usually tightly interconnected with territory, kinship, community, ceremony, government, personality, and cosmic order. Santería, unlike such religions as Christianity and Judaism, does not have a sacred book or formalized set of teachings. While practitioners of voodoo can be found in the United States, voodoo is a stereotype that has little to do with the religion of Vodou as it is practiced. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/indigenous-religions, "Indigenous Religions The present is the time that is important. For this reason, the Sioux were much more nomadic than the Iroquois, meaning that they moved from place to place as they followed the buffalo herds. The scholars Jenifer Snook, Thad Horrell, and Kirsten Horton argued that in doing so, these Heathens ignore the fact that most of them are white, and thus members of the same ethnic community which has perpetrated and benefitted from colonial and imperial policies against indigenous communities in the Americas and elsewhere. Australia Indigenous Religion A key aspect of Australian aboriginal belief is the Dreaming. African indigenous religions have influenced Christianity and Islam in Africa by making them more mystical, reflecting Africans' strong belief in an unseen spirit world. Love consumes its object voraciously [hungrily]. Retrieved January 12, 2021 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/indigenous-religions. World Religions Reference Library. Native American religions are the spiritual practices of the indigenous peoples of North America. It continues to be widely used. This person is in effect in training for initiation. An indigenous religion is a religion practiced by the native peoples of an area. All receive many years of training in the oral traditions of Santería. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof … .”Application of the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause to Native-American religions… Indigenous African religions are by nature plural, varied, and usually informed by one’s ethnic identity i.e. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. in which you live.) Traditional be… They stuck pins into "voodoo dolls" to bring misfortune to an enemy. The prevalence of Christian hymns translated into the native language in Kiowa, Ojibwe, and other Indigenous cultures helps support Stevenson’s idea of cultural medium vs. message—when it comes to the interaction between Christianity and Indigenous religions it is the cultural medium that is often more important than the message. First, "Santería" is the popular name for the religion. Finally, ancestor worship is an important part of Santería, just as it is for Vodou, and the names of ancestors are often recited at Santerían rituals. Each branch dominates in different regions of the country. During the time of the slave trade, Africans were transported to these regions, bringing their religious beliefs with them. Many modern religious scholars, however, avoid this word because it suggests something old and unchanging rather than something living and adaptable. Because the conditions of life were relatively easy, the Iroquois nation had the opportunity to develop a complex system of religious beliefs. Santeros believe that this ever-changing force leads to a principal deity called Olódùmarè, the "owner of heaven" or sometimes the "owner of all destinies." Next, ask five (5) people what their definition of religion is. Indigenous definition is - produced, growing, living, or occurring natively or naturally in a particular region or environment. For instance, the Japanese religion of Shinto is often referred to as an "indigenous religion" although, because the Japanese are not a colonised society but have colonised neighbouring societies like that of the Ainu, there is debate as to whether they meet the definition of "indigenous". Derived from the Greek orthos ("straight, right") and praxis ("doing, practice"), orthopraxy refers to "correctness of a practice or a b…, BON . This includes people, cultures, languages, or species of plants or animals. [4] For instance, musicians influenced by the belief systems of the Maori, Indigenous Australian, and Canadian First Nations peoples have had their work exposed to an international audience. It is a term often used to describe local or regional traditional religious beliefs and practices as opposed to the religions that have become more widespread and/or common. Bon was more of a folk religion (the beliefs of the common people) that dealt with the affairs of this world. 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