Essay on Native American Tradition and Religion - 1319 Words

Due to the wide range of habitats in North America, different native religions evolved to match the needs and lifestyles of the individual tribe. Religious traditions of aboriginal peoples around the world tend to be heavily influenced by their methods of acquiring food, whether by hunting wild animals or by agriculture. Native American spirituality is no exception. Traditional Lakota spirituality is a form of religious belief that each thing, plant and animal has a spirit. The Native American spirituality has an inseparable connection between the spirituality and the culture. One cannot exist without the other. The arrival of Europeans marked a major change on Native society and its spirituality. Native Americans have been fighting to†¦show more content†¦The Native American Church is a continuation of the ancient Peyote Religion combined with some teachings of traditional Christianity. Native American Church practices centre around the religious use of peyote, a small cactus which when eaten gives people a feeling of hallucinations. Indians use peyote in religious ceremonies only. Peyote induces abnormal mental states or hallucinations when chewed; giving the user a sense of direct contact with God. It is eaten or consumed as a tea in religious rituals. Like tobacco, peyote is a sacred herb to many Indian tribes and they use it for prayer--not recreation. The use of peyote is central to the Native American peyote religion. In Peyote Religion most formal ceremonies mix drumming, singing, prayer, and stories as a means of offering thanks and as a way of sharing this blessing with the Creator. Deeply meaningful and highly personalized inspirational revelation is often a very important part of the individuals experience. Participants in such peyote meetings often grow in empathy and in friendship with the people who have shared the peyote night with them. Lifelong associations are made in this way. Church peyote users believe that peyote is a sacred and powerful plant. Peyote is seen as a medicine, a protector, and a teacher. In terms used by other religions, peyote can be called a sacrament, something which when eaten gives awareness of God. There are many religiousShow MoreRelatedMusic And Community : Native American Music1199 Words   |  5 Pages CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY Northridge Music and Community: Native American Music A paper submitted in partial satisfaction of the Requirements for MUS 309, Lecturer: â€Å"Gee† Rabe By Abhimanyu Ranjit Lalchandani Spring 2015 Introduction This paper will demonstrate the various analysis of the Native America music and some details about history of Native American Music and themes which represents the religion and music. 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