Primal Religions Notes

Australian Aborigines * Mythic * They believed that The Ancestors are supernatural being who created the Earth and all life. * Also, that each ancestor left behind when they left the tribe * That the ancestors were on Earth during The Dreaming * Ritual * The Initiation was called Wilyaru * 2 teeth were knocked out and they circumcised the boy. * Then, the elders would cut themselves and poor all the blood that was dripping on the boy. * The boy was scarred with wounds and he then was given a bull-roared * After, the boy would live alone in the wilderness while the wounds healed and the blood wore off. * Social * Taboo was a place or they were places, things and activities that were set aside for certain people and restricted to others. * Material * The Totem was a symbol of each Ancestor * They were in the form or an animal or a natural formation *
Yoruba
* Mythical * They believed that all things were created by Odolumare, who determines and controls destiny * Doctrinal * Orishas * The messenger spirits * Mediators, lesser gods * They can either help people out or harm people * Hundreds of them exist * Some of them are worshipped by all Yoruba * Others are special to just one family * Ethical * Didn’t act/behave like tricksters * Mischievous * ESU is a trickster * Good and evil * Part of every shrine * Ritual * Presided over by: * Head of family * King or Chief of city * Priests of shrines
The Lakota of North America * Experiential & Ritual * Vision Quest * Men or women and do this * Gain access to spiritual power * Supervised by medicine/spiritual * Perfection * Remote location for a retreat * Vision and