Shamanism and Animism AP World History Chase Buckley, Ian Spratt, Zach Price, Sterling Johnston, Kevin Coleman Shamanism and Animism

Religious Gods -There is not set god of animism or shamanism but the reverence of ancestors after death or other living animals does occur. They worship the ancestors because of their belief. Many animistic cultures observe some form of ancestor reverence. They see the ancestors as living in another world, or embodied in the natural features of this world. Animist believe it important to give prayers to these spirits in order to maintain harmony with the world of the spirits

Basic Beliefs of Religion's Followers -Everyone is connected and is a part of a pattern. -Spirits exist and they play important roles both in individual lives and in human society. -All parts of nature have a soul and can move without need a physical form, but all these spirits aren’t bound to the object. After the death of the physical form they live on -Animist believe humans are on neither superior to animals or less superior to animals -Shamans are believed to have a connection to the spirit world and can commune with teachers of this spirit world in order to fix problems, receive messages and do anything important. -The shaman can communicate with the spirit world.

Followers Practices -Usually, the shaman enter the spirit world by putting themselves into a particular trance or consciousness, either auto hypnotically or by the use of entheogens. -Entheogens – a psychoactive substance used in religious, shamanic, or spiritual practices. Both methods can be used together. -Some shamans restrict their diet according to their tradition. -Music and song relate as well, with the songs having natural sounds (uses onomatopoeia). -Depending on the culture, music and songs could relate to shamanism or be used as entertainment. -Some popular instruments within the religion include the drums and gong.

Major Ritual or Holidays -Artistic performance ritual – it is both a religious and performing ceremony. The purpose is to lead the tribe through a ritualistic process and have the whole tribe reach the spirit world, not just an individual. The four elements are dance, music, poetry, and dramatic action. -As for holidays, shamans had their own individual celebrations. For example, if their family members celebrated Christmas, they would too. Each person had their own preferences.

Rituals and Holidays cont. -Animism is generally a belief and a way of looking at the world so no major holidays truly exist. -Animism is found in different religions (some forms of Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Pantheism, Christianity and Neopaganism), so rituals and holidays vary.

Role of Women -In some Southern places the role of being a shaman, role taken by women -Shamanism still dominated by male view points -Women typically hold the position of being Shamans -Passed through generations through oldest women in Shamans family -Also accepted walk on people not just family

Major Texts -Uses rituals and sacred places to connect -Enters to find solutions to community issues and to alleviate souls/spirit -There was no sacred book or writings, passed down through apprenticeship -No holy books in Shamanism -Religion passes down through generation -Used apprenticeship to pass down the religion -Typically found in tribes Animism: -Did not have an books -Believed that everything had a spirit or soul -Not only people but all terrain and organisms

Missionary Outreach -Not as heavy as other religions, like Christianity. -Mainly found in parts of Asia and India, but also spreads to Africa and even America. -Shamanism and Animism make up a small percent of the population -Mainly found in rural areas or small villages as a medical healer.

Origin Shamanism: -Has no real starting or ending point -Dates as far back as the Stone Age Animism: -Similar to Shamanism, has no real starting point -More of a lifestyle with some worship

Major Contacts -Shamans were an important part of many religions and therefore played a hand in their practice and development. -Shamanism and Animism was a major influence on modern Taoism as many of concepts are Shamanic in origin. -Shamans and Animists, due to having such a widespread area of development, influenced many eastern philosophies and even influenced some major religions

Similarities -Shamans and Animists think everything has a spirit or this is very reminiscent of other religions such as some Buddhist and (Blank) Shamans constantly tried to achieve a sense of religious ecstasy, similar to taoist principles. -Shamans have many beliefs of Eastern religion and Philosophy. Some of these include the mending the soul to cure ailments and the belief in divine intervention for solutions to problems.

Interactive Experience -The shamanic diet consists of a basic diet. -They have a very restricted diet for 6 days where only bland foods can be consumed such as green plantains, chicken, egg, one other type of meat, and one other type of fish. -No salt, sugar, or oil is allowed. -They do this to purify their bodies and make a sacrifice to the plant spirits.

Bibliography "Shamanism." Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014. “What Do Animists Believe? What Is Animism?" CompellingTruth.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2014. Woolcot, Viola. "History of Shamanism." History of Shamanism. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014 http://www.shamanicjourney.com/article/5947/history-of-shamanism Secunda, Brant. "What Is Shamanism?" SHAMANISM RSS2. Dance of the Deer Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. http://www.shamanism.com/what-is-shamanism/