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Native American Religion: Great Facts About Native Americans’ Belief

Studying Native American religion would provide you different topics to study. Most of the time, you would start with the definition and then discuss other facts associated with the subject. This kind of process would be the one used in this article. You would be provided with the description of Native American religion before you proceed with other necessary facts.

Many people would only say that American has only one religion since then. But do you know that Native Americans have their own religion? Native Americans are somewhat the roots of all Americans today. They are the ancestors which began the American nationality. They are the ones who made the culture, first people to be given the name Americans, and the people who have created the beliefs that few people today are still following.

In this article, you would learn different things about the Native Americans, particularly on the spirituality of these people. This native people like other natives from different nations have their own religion to follow. They have established this religion and most of the succeeding natives had lived with the common beliefs of the Native American religion.

Of course, if you heard the term Native American religion, you would first ask “What is the Native American religion?” This is the initial response of people once others stated the words. There are different religions in the world, many may be similar in some aspects, but most of the time each religion has its own differences from others, especially on the beliefs and gods.

Native American Religion: Brief Description

Native American religion is a religion described to focus mainly on nature. Many people stated that this religion would give importance on nature things such as animals, trees, and plants as necessary icons of the religion. This religion involves different practices and rituals that are very different from other religions. There is one ritual where people would have an intake of hallucinogens to communicate with gods. Native Americans believed that by taking such drugs would enhance their communication with the gods. The ceremonies of this religion would include dances, music, festivals, etc.

Animals are used as symbols in Native American religion. Most of the tribes would regard animals as important part of the religion since these animals represent important things which mainly pertain to ideas or spirits. Some tribes even used animals as centers, focal character or idea of creation stories.

Actually, Native American religion is not classified as one of the religions before. Their beliefs as well the traditions they made are somewhat not understandable by many. That’s why there are no clear statements and guidelines on following their religious traditions.

In this religion, shaman and medicine men are the important and respected people in any tribe. These people can communicate with gods and provide decisions in ceremonies and feasts.

Compared to other religion, this religion has a great complexity that is hard to understand by many. In order for you to understand their religious concept, you must have strict study of the facts about the religion, including the specific beliefs and traditions the people follow.

Native American Religion: Different Types

Actually, Native Americans have different religions. Most of the tribes did not just focus on the American Indian religion. There are more others which Native Americans have. Most of the religions have differences yet the people who have used it have similar origin, which is being a Native American. Here are the different Native American religions people had lived with before:

• Christianity

Though some people would regard Christianity as somewhat impossible to be used by Native Americans, still the fact is proven. Many Native Americans had this religion. This religion was actually brought by the European civilization in America. European people are the ones who imposed Americans the great ideas of Christianity. In fact, most Native Americans are Christians due to this colonization.

• Longhouse Religion

This religion was found by Seneca Handsome Lake on year 1799. This religion invigorated American religion among Iroquois. This religion is also called by some as the Handsome Lake Religion. The doctrine of this religion is called Gaiwiio which mean Good Word. This religion is practice by Iroquois until today.

• Waashat Religion

This religion is also called in different names including Washani Religion, Seven Drum Religion, Prophet Dance, and Seven Dance Religion. These are just few of the common names of the religion. The origin of the religion is actually unclear. Some claimed that it is due to the coming of non-Indians and a prophet with apocalyptic senses. This religion is also popular because of its religious dance called Waashat Dance which includes a salmon feast, eagle, seven drummers, swan feathers, as well as the singing of sacred song.

• Dreamer Religion

This religion started in the Pacific Northwest by Smohalla. This person used Waashat rituals to develop the religion. He exclaimed that he was able to visit the spirit world and that he was instructed to teach religious view to his people. The founder’s speaking was called ‘Yuyunipitqana’.

• Indian Shaker Religion

This religion is also called Tschadam. It was found by John Slocum and was influenced by the Waashat religion. The name of the religion was actually derived from the process of how religious followers wash off their sins through shaking. The religion beliefs are actually combines Christianity and Indian traditions. People who have this religion are still practicing their beliefs at Indian Shaker Church.

These are only few of the Native American religions. There are more developed by different Native Americans. Native American has many tribes that is why it’s unquestionable that many religions had rose from different ideas and views of the Native Americans. Each Native American tribe has their own tradition belief, and customs. Probably, these are the reasons why people came up with different views in life which affected their spirituality.

Native American people have different gods. Since there are many proofs that these people had different religious views, then most likely they would have different gods to worship. Different religions have different gods. Most often, you’ll find religions to be worshipping one god, but with Native Americans, one god is not actually enough. These people actually worshipped numerous gods of different deities. Each god has been given corresponding power over the people. Native American would always have different gods to respect and worship in different situations and type of needs. These gods are regarded supreme over others. Native Americans would regard them as the most holy beings that provide them the benefits of life, good living condition, and blessings. People who do not worship these gods are punished without due respect and gratitude to the gods.

Here are few of the Native American gods:

• Aakuluujjusi

Inuit people regard this god as their great creator mother.

• Ac Yanto

This god is worshipped by white men.

• Aclla

This name was actually given to the Incas who are sacred and virgins.

• Acna

This god could also be called ‘Akna’. She is associated with the moon and considered childbirth patron.

• Agweta

She is a sea goddess and the daughter of the voodoo goddess Agwe.

• Cakulha

He is the subordinate of Yaluk. Also, he is the ruler of the lightning bolts.

• Chalmecatl

He is the god of the underworld.

• Chamer

He is the god of death.

• Cit Chac Coh

He is considered as the god of war.

• Malsumis

He is considered as an evil god.

• Ah Cuxtal

He is considered as god of birth

These are just few of the many gods of Native American religion. There are more not included in the list. Actually, Native Americans had worshipped lots of gods. If you would compare the gods by other religions, you could actually see a great numerical difference between religions. As said before, Native American religion is a difficult topic to explore and study. There are different things that you must focus on before proceeding unto the next one to avoid complication. Normally, many people and even experts studying the religion would sometimes find it hard to explain the religion. They would always say that Native American religion is a complicated topic with vast subtopics.  Since the origin of the religion is quiet unclear as well, the facts associated with it are not given much consideration by other experts.

This article could help you a lot in discovering facts about Native American religion. But still, determining some important information on this religion would still be difficult since even experts weren’t able to get complete and polished information about the religion. Probably because many people had different statements and conclusions, also it has been said that the religion was not regarded as a religion before at all. Thus, finding it as a religion would be very difficult for the traditions are the most highlighted topics regarding it. Though the article featured information that is not complete, you could use the facts to start discovering the Native American religion step by step.

Source // http://www.nativeamericanreligion.net/