Aboriginal World Conception and Spirituality

1. Aboriginal World Conception and Spirituality

2. Conception of the World • Conception of the World: a particular way of thinking about and understanding then environment and society around us. Our conception of the world influences what values, spiritual beliefs, and cultural norms our society holds and how we feel about them. • Aboriginal peoples world conception is rooted in their relationship to nature and their environment

3. Representations of the Seasons • Aboriginal societies celebrate the changing of the seasons with rituals and ceremonies. • Fall = harvest • Spring = Rebirth, return of migratory animals • Summer = growing seasons

4. Representations of the Earth • The Earth is treated with respect because it is integral (very important) to their survival. • Earth is seen as being a goddess, Mother Earth, that gave birth to all the life on Earth.

5. Representations of Plants and Animals • Animism - a belief that all things in nature had a soul similar to that of humans • In both hunting and harvesting of crops, it is important to honour the spirit of the animal and plant by not wasting anything. • If the proper respect was not shown, it was believed that the spirits could bring bad luck

6. Myths • Myths - stories that explain the world around us, its origins, and our relationship to nature • Mythology - all of the myths of a people • Myths are passed along from generation to generation through an oral tradition

8. Aboriginal Spirituality • For Aboriginal people, the real world and spiritual world are closely connected • We have seen that it was part of their everyday routines eg. Hunting, fishing, harvesting crops • Some areas of life had a more formal ceremonial aspect

9. Representations of Death • Harsh conditions meant that Aboriginal people were quite familiar with death • When someone died their spirit stayed near the body for a while before traveling to a supernatural world. They could still influence the real world from the supernatural world. • It is for this reason that Aboriginal people took great care to appease the spirit by making offerings and burying the body with familiar objects.

11. Create Your Own Tribe • Name of Tribe • Location • Sedentary or Nomadic • Patriarchy or Matriarchy • Division of Labour • Trade

12. Dreams • Profound connection between the world of the living and the dead • Each world remains distinct • Spirits communicated to the living through dreams • Where to find prey, songs to sing for better hunt

13. Shamans • In general, each individual was responsible for observing customs and rituals • Shamans had superior power to communicate with the beyond, predict future, interpret dreams, more visions • Not a superior position, their credibility depends on recognition of the group

15. Sacred Objects • Peace Pipe - most widely used sacred object used in Aboriginal culture in North America • Smoke from the pipe took requests to spirit world • Used to conclude affirm agreements and diplomatic alliances between Aboriginal groups, as well as between Aboriginal groups and Europeans

16. Sacred Objects (cont) • Drums were an important sacred object • Sounds of the drum accompanied (along with) by singing, favoured contact spirits. • For the Innu, playing the drum was reserved only for shamans or a few elderly hunters

17. Spiritual Practices • Spiritual Practices took on a collective (community) form. • Marriages, declaration of war, beginning of the hunt. • They wore costumes and special makeup, used sacred objects.

18. Values of an Aboriginal World Conception • Bravery - intimately (closely) associated with the survival and defence of Aboriginal societies. Men proved their bravery on the hunt and in battle. • A woman’s bravery was measured at child birth, which was meant to take place in silence. Continuing chores up until child birth and returning to them shortly after was also considered a sign of bravery.

19. Gift Giving • Gift giving was seen as important because it united all beings. • Gaining material wealth was not a part of Aboriginal culture. Greed was discouraged while generosity was encouraged. • People who gave more were recognized within their community.

20. Eloquence • Ability to speak well • Aboriginal societies did not have a written language so being able to speak well was very important. • Storytellers were elders known for their great eloquence • They told stories about mythological history as well as important diplomatic negotiations and great battles.