Aboriginal Rituals Rites of Passage

Sacredness in Daily Life Because Aboriginals believe that all of life is sacred, therefore, prayer is honouring the Creators gift. The purpose of prayer is to honour the Creators greatness. Prayer is used to communicate to the creator, in earlier times, native people would pray before a hunt or for rain.

Smudging A holy act that is part of many rituals Sacred herbs are burned in a shell or earthen bowl then the smoke is brushed over the eyes, ears, mouth, hands and heart. Cleansing smoke is used to purify people before a wedding, healing or powwow. It is also often held before a meeting as a symbol of equality.

Sacred Pipe Ceremony Considered to be one of the most powerful and sacred spiritual rituals. Symbol of unity and harmony in the world. The pipe carrier prays that all the universe and everything it contains be transferred to the pipe. When lit all that the pipe contains is delivered to the fire which is the Great Spirit. Everything is dissolved into the cosmic unity of the Great Spirit.

The Sweat Lodge Aim is to purify the body, mind, spirit and heart and to restore right relationships with self. It is sometimes called the womb of Mother Earth.

Rites of Passage Most religions have ceremonies for birth, coming of age and death. Aboriginal Spirituality consider birth and death part of the journey with the Great Spirit. It is a very significant event, however, the ritual actions differ between tribes/bands. The coming of age ceremony is called: The Vision Quest

Vision Quest The vision quest marks when a young aboriginal male or female become an adult in faith and spirituality. The ceremony begins in the Sweat Lodge. Here, the initiate gains purification before entering the rite of passage. Secondly, the initiate is taken on a journey (either to a top of hill or a forest). Here he, she sits until receiving a vision or sign from a spirit guide,

Vision Quest After receiving the vision the initiate returns and shares the vision with the Shaman who interprets the meaning. The meaning of the vision becomes the new name that the now: man or woman is known as (ie. Eagle, Bear, Walks with deer etc..)

Question on Test Tuesday This is your prepare ahead question for the test Tuesday. Watch the following clip Story of Stuff, How do you relate to the clip? Which moral teachings from Aboriginal Spirituality are evident? Explain. Interdependence Connection between poverty and the environment. Sacredness of the Earth. stuff/ stuff/