In an article by David Sitton from one of his newsletters (his newsletters can be found online at http://www.TOEVERYTRIBEBLOG.COM): "Tribal people are animistic in their spiritual view of the world and of life.
1. The animist defines religion as a system of beliefs, feelings and behavior which are expressed through rites, rituals, and liturgies. By these he manipulates familiar spirits to provide success, happiness and security in all of life.
a. Most often, tribal peoples do not have a monotheistic belief in God, at least in their daily consciousness. Their immediate concern is to keep the spirits happy that day.
b. Therefore, animism is power-conscious and power-seeking.
c. The religion of animism focuses on an awesome awareness that the spirit world influences all of life. Animists believe that an impersonal, supernatural power or influence is present within inanimate objects. This power, among many tribes is called mana. This is a power which can be possessed by individuals to use in manipulating spiritual forces to achieve a goal.
d. All behavior is influenced by the spirit world.
e. The cause of events can be known through contact with the spirits. And once known, it is then possible to control or elude the dreaded event through rituals.
f. All of life is dependent upon the correct use of rituals. This applies to common life occurrences such as gardening,
hunting, fishing, fighting, gambling,
trading, lovemaking, child
development, fertility of wives,
discovering the cause of trouble or
death, house building, canoe carving,
drum carving, etc. |
