Indigenous Spiritualities

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By peace | September 14, 2007

Indigenous people are descendants of the earliest inhabitants who locate themselves as a community in a specific ecological niche, which they call their traditional or customary land. This land is the basis of their social organisation, economic system and cultural identification. Indigenous people see their traditional lands as being imbued with a spirituality and a sacredness whose protection and care will ensure their continued survival as people.

All indigenous traditions and beliefs evolve as a result of living within this specific geographical space. They are learned by participating within a specific cultural context rather than by articulating an abstract religious system or theology. Thus, social rules, taboos, rituals and religious beliefs have an impact on the way people live their everyday lives — what they eat(or cannot eat), the way they do everyday chores, organize themselves, marry, educate their children, treat illness, and bury the dead. These teachings(or ancient wisdom) are usually transmitted through oral traditions, such as in storytelling or via mythmaking, ritual and symbolic art.

Indigenous spirituality, as such, brings the social, ecological and spiritual contexts into alignment in a way that distinguishes, but not separates, human communities, the natural world, and the realms of the spirit powers.

The overriding aspiration of all indigenous people is to ensure continity and to maintain harmony between humans and humans, between humans and nature, and between humans and spirits. Indigenous people believe that all of nature is infused with spirits or souls.

The hierarchy of spirit powers culminates in a Creator Being or Great Spirit. However, this Supreme Being, while revered and honoured by the indigenous people, is often distant and barely associated with everyday human experience. It is the spirit powers who directly communicate with, and impact, the lives of human beings, both as individuals and as communities. They also act as intermediaries between the Great Spirit and humans and are called upon by shamans and healers whenever their mediation is required.

There are both Good Spirits and Evil Spirits. While the latter bring harm, misfortune and disease, the Good Spirits protect human against all these. Indigenous people believe that the blessings of the Good Spirits are important for personal and community well-being. Often, appropriate good behaviour on the part of individuals is all that is believed to be required to maintain social harmony, prosperity and continuity.

Source: World Religions - Universal Peace, Global Ethic

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