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What Role Did Animism Play In Native American Religion

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- Religion has long played an important role in society. Native Americans had they’re own religion, more of a part of their lives in a non social way. It was applied in gathering, hunting and ceremony's. They often used tools or natural objects to perform rituals. Sacrifices were often too, in some tribes.

- The primitive religions of the Native Americans were based on Animism. Animism was a commonly shared belief, of the Native American tribes. Animism is a religion based on the spiritual idea that all natural objects within the universe, have souls or spirits. In this religion it is believed that spirits exist not only in humans but also in animals, plants, trees, rocks etc. This culture is also extended to …show more content…

In religion the Native Americans worshiped animals, plants, the sun, rain, and wind refer to animal spirits.

- The religion, traditions and beliefs of the Native Americans were also ruled by the culture of shamanism in which a religious leader, called a Shaman, acted as a link between the visible world and the spirit world. The Shamans had special powers, medicine and magic to heal the ill, control the hunt, and predict the future. The Great Spirit is believed by many Native Americans to be a deity or creator of life. A divine power that created the world. The basic idea of Animism and culture extended further As native Americans grew to believe that the Great Spirit invested and were interested in human life. The Native Americans performed ceremonies and rituals to worship the spirits. The rituals displayed in ceremonies show interest by promoting and preserving the harvest and hunt to show respect towards the great spirit.

- Festivals were devised that incorporated this culture and these ceremonies and rituals were held at seasonal periods throughout the year and commonly occurred during important agricultural periods. The festivals often continued over several

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