Lesson 3 Flashcards
what are chiefdoms?
communities led by a chief (specialist who controls production and distribution of resources). Big focus on agriculture –> encourages co-operation and discourages anti-social behaviour –> food surplus = division of labour + specialized roles (hierarchy). human sacrifice to the gods –> criminals and those who don’t contribute to society (eliminates uncooperative and anti-social behaviour).
what are departmental gods?
reflect the many specialized roles within society.
what are society islands (Tahiti)?
god of fisherman, navigators, netmakers, carpenters, house thatchers, doctors, actors, singers, and hairdressers.
what is property taboo?
placed on fruit treed and vegetable gardens to prevent theft
what is the role of religion?
solidifies the Chiefs authority and power
what is mana?
magical or divine power delivered by the gods –> chiefs are a channel of mana to society and can determine what is taboo/tapu (forbidden actions) –> those who respect tapu can gain mana.
who is olorun or olodumare?
ruler of the heavens, supreme god or being, original source of power in the universe. not involved in human affairs. not worshipped directly.
who are the Orishas (ogun, es[h]u, oshun, yemoja, and oya)?
representatives of olorun on earth - mediate between olorun and humans. help and guide humans.
who is ogun?
first orisha on earth (cleared path with his axe). deity of hunters, warriors, and blacksmiths. shrine: iron, knives, guns, chains. male animals meat. colours black, red, green, blue.
who is es(h)u?
guardian of crossroads - helps those at a crossroad in life understand their consequences actions. trickster figure - disrupts normal course of life and brings chaos. can mediate between heaven and earth. shrine: club/staff, and rum, black and red.
who is oshun?
mother of sweet things - goddess of love and beauty, and goddess of the river (sacred place is river). shrine: fan, mirror, brass bracelets, oar, flowers, perfume, honey, fruit, yellow.
who is yemoja?
mother of all things. rules over motherhood snd the ocean. shrine: oars, anchor, steering wheel, sea shells, blue.
who is oya?
wind, lightning, storms, death and rebirth. sacred places - cemetery gates and marketplace. embodies masculine and feminine. wears 9 scarves to commemorate 9 stillborns. shrine: machetes, masks, scythe, horsetail fly-whisk, sweet and dark foods (chocolate pudding, red wine, plums, etc.).
what is the Yoruba cosmology responsible for?
maintaining balance between beings of heaven and earth
what is the head of the family responsible for?
worshipping the familys ancestors at home in the family shrine
what is the chief responsible for?
annual festivals
who are the diviners and what are they responsible for?
specializes in the art of divination. responsible for learning about individuals future through techniques like interpreted patterns in thrown shells or bones.
