Indigeneous religions
- 6. Maori of New Zealand
- 8. Obstacles of Appreciation Aaappreciation scholars concentrated on written texts stories, rituals, ceremonies, sandpaintings, songs prayers, dance, masks, wood sculpture permanence vs. impermanence
- 9. Modern recovery of indigenous religions Efforts of scholars in anthropology - experience Ecological movement-David Suzuki, Wisdom of the Elders, insightful lessons of human/nature relationship Ecologist-Paul Ehrlich-quasireligious approach Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson proposes biophilia, a love of life “We must rediscover our kin, the other animals and plants with whom we share the planet.”
- 10. learning from patterns Human Relationship With the Natural World Sacred Time and Sacred Space Respect for Origins, Gods, and Ancestors
- 11. Human relationship with nature Respectful relationship with nature Animism-everything is alive Life force is in every-thing--trees, plants, animals, humans One reality-wakan
- 12. Sacred Time Time of eternity; dream time (Aboringenes); distant time (Koyukon-Arctic) Sacred time is cyclical, returning to origins for renewal-ancestors and myths
- 13. Sacred space Doorway to the other world of gods, ancestors, wisdom, strength and power May encompass a great mountain, volcano, valley, lake, forest, single large tree
- 14. respect for origins, gods, ancestors ORIGINS- cosmic tales of origins GODS -in stories and nature; altars and imagery dedicated to deity are not common ANCESTORS -com-munication w/ dead
- 15. Sacred Practices in Indigenous Religions Rituals are basic way to live in harmony with each other and nature Life Cycle Ceremonies Taboo and Sacrifice Shamanism, Trance, and Spiritual Powers
- 16. Threats to Indigenous Religions Today Global spread of popular culture Loss of natural lands and environments Loss of native languages Conversion to other religions
- 17. Resolution of Apology to Native People Native People The Faith & Politics Institute and the National Congress of American Indians, reps from six tribes acknowledged the wrongdoing of the Federal Government signed by President Obama, January 2009
- 18. President Obama Signs Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 end rape and sexual assault of Native and Alaska women more than 1 in 3 Native women will be raped; 86% by non-native perpetrators restores authority, resources, and info to Tribal governments
- 19. Indigenous Communities Held Hostage in Brazil In 2009 the Guarani Kalowa Y’poi was violently evicted from ancestral land kidnapping/murder In April 2010 the tribe members managed to reoccupy land, but immediately deprived of movement - gun threats