Lecture 2: Animism & Shamanism Flashcards
______ is sometimes described as a primordial religion.
Animism
______ is the primeval and universal belief that souls (spirits) inhabit ordinary plants, animals and things, governing their existence.
animism
What two things did animism believe in regards to humans?
The human being is equal to animals, plants, and natural forces.
The human being is a part of the nature, and not something distinct or above it
How did animists accomplish being on the side of the good spirits?
RITUALS which are essential for survival as they win the favor of the spirits of one’s source of food, shelter, and fertility, and protects against evil spirits.
______ is the repository of knowledge that allows him (her) to act as an intermediate between the visible world and an invisible spirit world.
The shaman
True or False: The shaman is the top chain of command.
False
True or False: Shamans are solitary; they do not belong to an organized spiritual group.
True
What do shamans do?
He (she) practices magic or sorcery for purposes of healing, divination, and control over natural events.
True or False: animistic/shamanistic traditions have existed throughout the world since prehistoric times.
True
True or False: Animistic views have persisted even today in different parts of the world
True, manifested in agriculture rituals and the spiritual life or certain cultures.
What are 3 examples of cultures practicing elaborate ceremonies explicable, only through animistic principles.
Corn mother - Mexico
Feeding the fields (pachu mama/ India)
Tree worship rituals (peepal tree, tree shrine - Burma)
______ are miniature homes that stand outside mainly Thai Buddhist homes
Spirit Houses
EXAM QUESTION
Q. One of the statements about shamans is incorrect::
Answer: E. Only men could be shamans (women were not aloud).
