Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to examine the beliefs, traditions, and customs of the major religions of the world and to…
The religious beliefs of the Semang are complex which include many different gods. Most of the Semang tribes are animistic where they believe that non human objects have spirits. Many significant events in their lives such as birth, illness, death and agricultural rituals have much animistic symbolism. Their priests practice magic, foresee the future and cure illness. They could use Capnomancy to decide whether a camp is safe for the night. Their priests are said to be “Shaman” in that they are someone who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible spirit world. The Semang bury their dead simply, and place food and drink in the grave (Tarmiji, Fujimaki, Norhasimah,…
As mentioned prior, part one of the book highlights both the drastic prominence of religion in Ibo culture and its natural state before the occurrence of change. This portion of the book shows that the practices and morals of the Igbo people’s religion have a direct impact on the tribe's choices in rituals, ceremonies, and even punishments. One of the items used by the Ibo people, known as the "Oracle of the Hills and the Caves," is a prime example of religion's impact on the tribe. The article both guides them and determines whether or not their tribe is permitted to perform certain actions, such as declare war against another clan, "And there were indeed occasions when the Oracle had forbidden Umuofia to wage a war." Such an object helps to exude the themes of respect and sin, which are quite important in understanding the meaning of Things Fall Apart. If the tribe continues to follow the guidelines of their religion and take the Oracle’s advice, then it will be able to maintain respect; however, if it does not, then both its reputation and respect will be lost, as the tribe has become lost in sin.…
Crapo, R. H. (2013). Cultural anthropology. Chapter 7, Section 7.2 Building Blocks of Religion. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.…
This artwork was made by the Yoruba People from Southwest Nigeria and Southern Benin around the first half of the 20th century. World War 1, World War 2, The Great Depression, the Cold War, were many major historical events that were taking place at the time that changed the worlds view on just about everything. The Yoruba People began creating their magnificent Sculptures, Pottery, Beadwork, Leather, and Headdress in the 12th through 14th centuries. Most artwork is made to honor the gods and ancestors and since there are more than 401 known gods to the Yoruba there is much sculpture and artwork made. Because of the vastness in the number of gods, the Yoruba have been compared to the ancient Greeks in the amount of gods and in the similarities between the structures of the gods. The Yoruba People used their artwork as a means of trade along with their crops so, their artwork is important to Yoruba Society because it contributes to their economy. The Yoruba began to create more abstract wooden sculptures as their major art form later.…
During the period 1450 CE to 1750 CE, many changes and continuities can be seen to have happened in the religious beliefs and practices in Sub-Saharan Africa, located in the Atlantic Region and the Indian Ocean Region. Sub-Saharan Africa went through many cultural reforms from 1450 CE to 1750 CE, there were changes like an increase in religions, Christianity and Islam, and the balancing of polygamy because of the distorted gender ratios due to the slave trade. Although continuities seen were that the practice of traditional animism continued, the firm influence of Islam continued, and liberal roles of women.…
There are many different religions in the world but they all seem to have at least one thing in common. This unique aspect in similarity is the relationship that can be established with the divine being if we choose to follow or lead in their way of life. Many religions seem to establish the idea that God or gods are here to guide us through our lives as our supreme rulers and enforcers of the law. But, in contrast the presence of a divine spirit is to give man the final decision on the choices he must make to continue in a path of righteousness. The relation of god and man in western religion is denoted by the freedom of choice given to him by God. God gives every man the freedom to choose him or reject him; he permits mankind to be tempted by sin in order to challenge the loyalty they have for their supreme.…
Throughout reading the following paper on Elements of Religious Traditions, you will receive brief explanations on the aspect of religion, different types of religion, traditions and customs of early Native American religious cultures, and how many aspects of those beliefs are in many ways tied into some of the most popular religions existing today. You will also briefly receive explanations in how religious traditions describe and encourage the following relationships:…
All three definitions were essential definitions, because in all three cases the people interviewed reduced the definition to essentially one word or idea.…
Centuries ago, there existed a religion, one with no true name, human sacrifices, games where participants are highly likely to die, and Gods found in almost every aspect of daily life. This was the ancient Mayan religion. Although some beliefs, values, and minor traditions are still upheld by followers today, for the most part this religion has completely vanished along with the ancient mayan civilization. This may be for good reason, as some of the practices were barbarous and bordering on pure insanity. Through the madness, there were three very important aspects of this religion that guided the mayans;…
In the story, The Lottery by Shirley Jackson she introduces us to a luck-of-the-draw conformity among the villagers in the story. Jackson’s reveals that humans commit barbaric genocides by the peer pressure and be subsequent to tradition. The lottery is held in June during the beautiful summer in order to please the gods to allow bountiful harvest; therefore, one pure innocent human life was offered. Similarly, like the Aztecs from Mexico, who also perform sacrifice rituals. In the video Ancient Mysteries, Human Sacrifice the Aztecs had their own ancient rituals costing many lives of innocent followers and enemies. Whether it is for harvest, appeasing of the gods or as a form of abomination, they all believe that the hearts, skin, and liquids on veins [blood] including human bloodshed is a precious gift to the gods they worship. Jackson’s critiques the harm in acquiring conformity, including the potential dangers to eyeless…
Living on the age of knowledge we have uncover a vast of information throughout the ages. We have now the advantage of choosing our own believes, let that be a believer to a god, a believer to two or more gods, a none believer, or simply acknowledge that there is a higher power. Although we have the power to chose what we believe on, sometimes this believes are planted into us since childhood, not by choice but by enforcing it to us by our parents or other early informants.…
Seen as a crucial and pivotal element in the process of deepening spiritual understanding, religious ritual plays a fundamental role in building both personal and cultural identity, an act that expresses and emphasises the things that bind a faith community together. In all religions, the milestones of a practitioner’s life are highlighted and celebrated through ritual and ceremony. These events often include both birth and death, marriage and coming of age. Several features play an indispensable role within rituals, such as the presence of representative symbols, people or religious leaders and music, features that have been central to both worship and ritual since primordial…
In the origin of African voodoo, it mixed animistic beliefs with elements of Christianity. Traditionally, it incorporated animal sacrifice and beliefs such as spirit possession, among other facets. While African voodoo also has a Creator God in its cosmology, it also is known for having an extensive temple of gods and…
Revivalism is an Afro-Christian religion. Revivalism is divided into two main groups, Zion and Pocomania. Its religion characterized by dancing and spirit possession took place in churches and Revival yards. Pocomania and Zion are very similar in terms of how they are organized. Pocomania is always led by a man knows as the Shepherd. Pocomania focuses on the African belief of earth and ground spirits of ancestors and fallen angels. Members are structured into bands where each has a role to perform in rituals where spirit possession is central to worship. Spirit possession involves travel into the spirit world and the calling of spirits with the aid of cymbals, dance and prayer. Meetings take place in a Pocomania ground marked with a colored flags to attract passing spirits. Zion leader can be either a man or a woman. The Man is referred to as Captain while the woman is called the Mother/Madda the Zion revivals are considered more specialized in the art of healing the spirit, receiving messages via spirit possession and herbal medicines.…