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