Religions of Native
America
Religion in America
Diversity
550
societies and distinct languages
Cultural
diversity
◦ Eastern Woodland
◦ Great Plains
◦ Southwest Pueblo
cultures
◦ Hunter-gatherers of
West Coast
Differences
in material culture
Differences
in social organization
Common Characteristics
No
separation between sacred & everyday
◦
Kinship between spirits, people, natural world
◦
Shifting of shapes
Common Characteristics
Continuity
of sacred & present time
◦ Sacred origins
Common Characteristics
Power and the
spirit world
◦ Rituals for taking
& restoring food
◦ Controlling &
directing the powers of nature
◦ Interpreting dreams,
visions, and signs
Trance and transformation
The
Trickster figure
The
sacred clowns
◦ Funny and vicious
Masked
dancers and the spirits
Harmony
The
sacred four, five, or seven directions
The
sacred wheel
Significant deities
The
Sun God of Central America
Significant deities
The
Corn god