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RELIGION & BRIEF DESCRIPTION First, a definition: "Animism is the attempt to live respectfully as of the diverse community of living persons (only some of whom are human) which we call the world or cosmos." Animism is the doctrine that things, even inanimate things, have souls. (Animus is the Latin word for soul.) It is an ancient belief that may have been offered as an explanation for the difference between a thing that is alive and that thing when it is dead. It may have been offered also as an explanation for appearances of people in hallucinations or dreams. Animus, spirit, or energy exists independently of the thing, whether that thing be dead or alive. The term animism is derived from the Latin word anima meaning breath or soul. The belief of animism is probably one of man's oldest beliefs, with its origin most likely dating to the Paleolithic age. From its earliest beginnings it was a belief that a soul or spirit existed in every object, even if it was inanimate. In a future state this soul or spirit would exist as part of an immaterial soul. The spirit, therefore, was thought to be universal. The word ‘animism’ derives from the Latin word anima, meaning soul or breath. It is usually applied to any religious beliefs which recognize spirits or a spirit world inherent and controlling within the physical world. Animism is not a religion. It is the oldest known type of spiritual belief system. The Primal Indigenous religions (also known as Tribal Religionists, Animists, and Ethnic religionists) are a way of life, not only a religion and it includes thousands of various religions as well. It concerns the lives of approximately 300 million individuals within the locations of Asia and Africa. Other sources have the religions population at between 100 and 457 million. These totals include African Primal Indigenous religions, Shamanism and Paganism. Many data bases and religious category indexes have Asia and India having the majority of Primal Indigenous population. The Primal Indigenous religions are recorded as to fit into one category due to being documented in the pre-literate and pre-technological era. They have been discovered to have been in various different countries, continents, and areas however they share similar basic common ways of life and religious concepts. As previously stated, religion is their way of life. FOUNDER & NAME OF GOD The term was coined by Edward Burnett Tylor in Primitive Culture (1871). Animism is evident in many fairy tales, most cartoons, and in some television commercials, where even toilet paper might speak with a conscience. The founder of this old religion was a British anthropologist, Sir Edward Burnett Tylor. Tylor stated that animism is probably the oldest religion we know. Animism is the spiritual beliefs that everything has a soul.
Sir Edward Tylor was responsible for forming the definition of animism currently accepted in anthropology. The term animism appears to have been first developed as Animismus by German scientist Georg Ernst Stahl, circa 1720, to refer to the "doctrine that animal life is produced by an immaterial soul." The actual English language form of animism, however, can only be attested to 1819. The term was taken and redefined by the anthropologist Sir Edward Tylor in his 1871 book Primitive Culture, in which he defined it as "the general doctrine of souls and other spiritual beings in general." Animism is not a religion, per se, but a belief that underlies most religions, that is, the belief that at least some material being is permeated with spirit. People who identify as animists, however, both historically and today, believe that spirit permeates all beings, not just certain kinds of beings like humans and their gods and pets. But this belief in spirit does not define what kinds of god-beings exist and animistic thinking runs the gamut on the matter. One may be animist and believe in a monogod, in many gods, or in greater-than-humans but not gods. It may surprise you, that in most animistic religion, that there exists one Supreme Being. He is often described as omniscient, eternal, beneficent, omnipotent and righteous. He is the creator, the moral lawgiver, punishes those who do evil, and blesses those who do good. However, this being has distanced himself from man and cannot be known personally. Legends abound that he was once near but was angered with man and removed himself. He left men to their own devices and used lesser gods and spirits to do His will and serve as His ambassadors. Therefore, most of the worship goes to the lesser gods and spirits who are in direct with humans. Following the Supreme God is a host of lesser gods. These beings mediate between man and the Supreme Being, but must first be paid homage. Gods possess specific powers and are localized to a geographical area. The gods inhabit places such as rivers, mountains, forests, oceans, etc. Some gods exercise power over human affairs (business, marriage, death, etc.) other gods exercise powers over nature (storms, rain, etc.). Animism is a superstitious way of life that believes in spirit worship, fetishism and the worship of nature. Although manifesting itself in different ways, animism believes that everything in nature has a soul and that there is a spirit or force residing in every living and inanimate object, including animals, rocks, trees, mountains, rivers, volcanoes, heavenly bodies or other created objects. Every thought, word, prayer or dream has an individual spiritual meaning and magical
power that can aid or hinder them in the course of nature. Since these things have an effect upon their lives, they must be endowed with souls or spirits and these have become their gods. Animism cannot be strictly classified as a world religion because there is no connected rule, but in practice, it gives rise to the polytheistic practices and idolatrous superstitions of many of the mainstream religions. No cultures have been uncovered that do not believe in the existence and survival of souls. It has been estimated that 40% of all peoples practice some sort of animism, including parts of Christianity and the occult. The word itself is derived from the Latin "anima," meaning breath, which became to have the secondary sense of soul, as did the equivalent word "spiritus." Man seeks to control his environment toward practical ends. Each "anima" is a powerful spirit that can be harnessed toward specific objectives. Animists worship the creation rather than the Creator. They use incantations, rites, magic, prayers, sacrifices, live or dead animals, fetishes, talismans, blood, horoscopes, relics, amulets, icons, divination, crystal balls, spells, idols, voodoo, charms and anything else that the ignorant mind can think of to move a spiritual force. There is no one person who is considered the founder of Animism. PLACE & YEAR FOUNDED The oldest spiritual belief system of Animism has been found to date back as many as 70,000 years in Africa. No one knows when animism started, but human beings have had fully modern brains for between 200,000 and 300,000 years, so it could be that old, or older. There is firm evidence for animism going back over 70,000 years, but anthropologists think it is much, much older than that. As far as scientists can tell, animism was the only type of belief system until just a few thousand years ago (less than 10,000 years at most, out of 250,000 years of modern human existence). SYMBOL/LOGO There are no exclusive symbols representing animism. A common feature is the spirit house which can be made of various materials and in various styles and is common in mainland Southeast Asia. Another feature is the sacrificial animal pillar characteristic of Indonesian cults. SACRED BOOK Animism doesn't have an official holy book as its oldest known type of belief system in the world. The traditional tenets and practices are clearly embedded in the myths, legends, folk tales and songs etc. which are considered in the recent time as the prime bible/ scripture. Most Animist traditions are ed along orally which has meant that no book was ever needed to record traditions. Some, like the Australian Aboriginals, did record their beliefs on the walls of
caves, some African Animists carved images into rock and stone, and many Animists, but especially those of North America, painted it on their faces. There were no exact phrases that could be mulled over, but the sense of the purpose was what was important. Writing was not invented till just a few thousand years ago, long after agriculture started (about 10,000 years ago). And writing is a product of settled, farming societies. So there are no animist holy books. Most traditional cultures that practice Animism also have an oral tradition of storytelling, rather than a developed writing system. PLACE OF WORSHIP The people that practice the religion of animism don't go to a specific place to worship. Since there is no main god, animists don't go to a church, or a shrine, or a temple. They traditionally preform all of their rituals outside in a nature filled setting. BELIEFS & TEACHINGS Many people following primal religions live in isolated rural areas. Their lives are built around the forces of nature. Birth, death, illness and disaster are not hidden or sanitized as they are in many developed societies. Outside forces such as foreigners or neighboring peoples may be feared. Some tribal groups are nomadic. It is easier to be aware of a spiritual dimension to life, and when human strengths and frailties are exposed by such environments, there is a need for spiritual . Primal animistic religions share essential similarities with world religions: a belief in a powerful spiritual realm which coexists with the physical world; usually prayer, sacrifice or offering as a means to communicate with the spiritual world; shrines, temples or sacred places; priests, shamans or mediums who can help the people to hear from the spirits or gods, and sometimes a belief in a ‘sky god’ who is creator and above all other gods/spirits. Animistic folk religions usually grow out of primal religions mixed with one or more world religions. This happens when a world religion is introduced to the area where animistic religions are already practiced. The world religion may seem to predominate, but often its tenets and practices will be less important than, or followed alongside, folk customs based on spirit belief. The spiritual force and the spirit world The basis of animism is that the spirit world is stronger than humans. The power of the spirit world infuses everything. Spirits are often believed to dwell in particular objects, such as a tree, or places, such as an area of forest, or a village. Sometimes the spirits move around, even following people if they move. Origin of the spirits
Some spirits are the souls of deceased ancestors. Others are beings inherent in nature and the spirit realm. For some people the spirits are intermediaries between humans and a higher god. This is often the case in a folk religion, or a primal religion recognizing a supreme god. In other primal religions, the spirits are the primary beings of the spirit realm. As such their help is sought. Sometimes the help of particular spirits is sought for particular occasions, e.g. during illness or war, for marriage or childbirth, or for work and study. Help is also sought for amelioration of weather conditions or a good harvest. Relationship with the spirits Relationship between the spirit world and the human world is ongoing and requires human effort. Some spirits are seen as friendly and helpful, and gratitude is shown by the human effort of prayer or offerings. Other spirits may be evil or troublesome, and need to be avoided or appeased. Human effort is required to ensure the goodwill of the spirits, and to ensure that they are not offended or neglected. with the spirits For with the spirits special methods and/or trained, gifted individuals are usually required. Some tribal groups have a shaman. Shamans enter the spirit world by way of an ecstatic trance. They return to the earthly world with messages from the spirits. Other communities make through a medium or through divination. Methods of divination include astrology (e.g. in China), fortune telling (e.g. by selection of a written ‘fortune’ in folk Buddhism) and rituals (in many tribal communities). In many areas, including those where a world religion is established, there are local healers who prescribe rituals to seek healing from the spirits. In rural areas they will also use natural methods (plants and herbs). Basic Practices in Animism In animism there are numerous taboos or prohibitions. Prohibitions are made to preserve the harmony between the spiritual world and physical world. Places or people where the life force is concentrated are protected. Myriads of taboos exist and violation of them can result in cursing of a community and must be atoned for by sacrifices. Second, there are sacred places. Sacred places of worship exist to commune with the spiritual world. These are places where sacred power is concentrated. In Haiti there is a sacred tree where a pact with the devil was signed over 200 years ago by the animistic witch doctors. These witch doctors were most displeased when Christian pastors recently prayed over the tree and successfully commanded the spirits to leave it. Third, there are sacred things. A whole host of objects possess power and are potentially dangerous. Stones are often believed to possess sacred power. This is one reason you can easily find crystal jewelry and other semi-precious stones for sale in catalogs and stores. Certain plants and insects are believed to be sacred and taboo. Carved images are believed to possess the spirit of divinities.
Fourth, there are sacred actions. Worship includes sacrifices of animals or plants to the deities. The priests or shamans perform the sacred rites. Omens play an essential role; this is the origin of saying "God bless you" after someone sneezes, to protect the spirits from jumping into the suddenly vulnerable person. Signs in the heavens and certain reptiles or animals encountered in a day (such as a black cat crossing one's path portending bad luck) may predict one's future. Fifth, there are sacred words. There are many oaths, curses, and blessings. The spells of both white and black witchcraft are sacred words. Words are charged with sacred power if uttered by a priest. Such words possess the sacred power, manna. Sixth, there are sacred persons. Witches use their powers for good and evil. They can use their powers to protect communities from enemies. They can use their power to communicate with the gods and spirits. In most societies, witchcraft and sorcery are most feared. Witches are believed to travel great distances in short periods, kill at a distance, and master demons. Witches have supernatural powers to inflict harm on others. They can cast spells on others. They can inject foreign bodies into a victim, causing illness. Witches have the ability to communicate with dead spirits. Many societies believe they can transform themselves into animals. Then there is the shaman or the medicine man. He can cure sicknesses. He directs sacrificial rites and escorts souls to the other world. At times he can leave his body and observe events from a distance. He is born into the family or earns the job by ing tests and rituals. There is also the sacred king. Then there are sub-humans such as trolls and water spirits. Finally there are "little people," such as leprechauns. Seventh, there are sacred rituals that must be performed regularly. The head of the family performs some; others require the expertise of the priests. Eighth, there is the practice of magic and divination. The art of casting spells and communicating with the spirit world are reserved for the priests. NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS Primal Indigenous is a religion that has about 300 million followers (estimated value as of 2010) and is the 7th ranked religion in the world. Not a single organized religion includes a wide range of traditional or tribe religions, including animism, shamanism, and paganism. Since African traditional and diasporic religions are counted separately in this list, most of the remaining people counted in this group are in Asia. Animists in East Asia Mongolia - pop 3m, 50% animist Vietnam - pop 70m, 3% animist Cambodia - pop 9m, 3% animist China - pop 1200m, 3% animist Malaysia - pop 20m, 2% animist Philippines - pop 75m, 2% animist
Indonesia - pop 202m, 1% animist Myanmar - pop 70m, 1% animist
Sir Edward Tylor was responsible for forming the definition of animism currently accepted in anthropology. The term animism appears to have been first developed as Animismus by German scientist Georg Ernst Stahl, circa 1720, to refer to the "doctrine that animal life is produced by an immaterial soul." The actual English language form of animism, however, can only be attested to 1819. The term was taken and redefined by the anthropologist Sir Edward Tylor in his 1871 book Primitive Culture, in which he defined it as "the general doctrine of souls and other spiritual beings in general." Animism is not a religion, per se, but a belief that underlies most religions, that is, the belief that at least some material being is permeated with spirit. People who identify as animists, however, both historically and today, believe that spirit permeates all beings, not just certain kinds of beings like humans and their gods and pets. But this belief in spirit does not define what kinds of god-beings exist and animistic thinking runs the gamut on the matter. One may be animist and believe in a monogod, in many gods, or in greater-than-humans but not gods. It may surprise you, that in most animistic religion, that there exists one Supreme Being. He is often described as omniscient, eternal, beneficent, omnipotent and righteous. He is the creator, the moral lawgiver, punishes those who do evil, and blesses those who do good. However, this being has distanced himself from man and cannot be known personally. Legends abound that he was once near but was angered with man and removed himself. He left men to their own devices and used lesser gods and spirits to do His will and serve as His ambassadors. Therefore, most of the worship goes to the lesser gods and spirits who are in direct with humans. Following the Supreme God is a host of lesser gods. These beings mediate between man and the Supreme Being, but must first be paid homage. Gods possess specific powers and are localized to a geographical area. The gods inhabit places such as rivers, mountains, forests, oceans, etc. Some gods exercise power over human affairs (business, marriage, death, etc.) other gods exercise powers over nature (storms, rain, etc.). Animism is a superstitious way of life that believes in spirit worship, fetishism and the worship of nature. Although manifesting itself in different ways, animism believes that everything in nature has a soul and that there is a spirit or force residing in every living and inanimate object, including animals, rocks, trees, mountains, rivers, volcanoes, heavenly bodies or other created objects. Every thought, word, prayer or dream has an individual spiritual meaning and magical
power that can aid or hinder them in the course of nature. Since these things have an effect upon their lives, they must be endowed with souls or spirits and these have become their gods. Animism cannot be strictly classified as a world religion because there is no connected rule, but in practice, it gives rise to the polytheistic practices and idolatrous superstitions of many of the mainstream religions. No cultures have been uncovered that do not believe in the existence and survival of souls. It has been estimated that 40% of all peoples practice some sort of animism, including parts of Christianity and the occult. The word itself is derived from the Latin "anima," meaning breath, which became to have the secondary sense of soul, as did the equivalent word "spiritus." Man seeks to control his environment toward practical ends. Each "anima" is a powerful spirit that can be harnessed toward specific objectives. Animists worship the creation rather than the Creator. They use incantations, rites, magic, prayers, sacrifices, live or dead animals, fetishes, talismans, blood, horoscopes, relics, amulets, icons, divination, crystal balls, spells, idols, voodoo, charms and anything else that the ignorant mind can think of to move a spiritual force. There is no one person who is considered the founder of Animism. PLACE & YEAR FOUNDED The oldest spiritual belief system of Animism has been found to date back as many as 70,000 years in Africa. No one knows when animism started, but human beings have had fully modern brains for between 200,000 and 300,000 years, so it could be that old, or older. There is firm evidence for animism going back over 70,000 years, but anthropologists think it is much, much older than that. As far as scientists can tell, animism was the only type of belief system until just a few thousand years ago (less than 10,000 years at most, out of 250,000 years of modern human existence). SYMBOL/LOGO There are no exclusive symbols representing animism. A common feature is the spirit house which can be made of various materials and in various styles and is common in mainland Southeast Asia. Another feature is the sacrificial animal pillar characteristic of Indonesian cults. SACRED BOOK Animism doesn't have an official holy book as its oldest known type of belief system in the world. The traditional tenets and practices are clearly embedded in the myths, legends, folk tales and songs etc. which are considered in the recent time as the prime bible/ scripture. Most Animist traditions are ed along orally which has meant that no book was ever needed to record traditions. Some, like the Australian Aboriginals, did record their beliefs on the walls of
caves, some African Animists carved images into rock and stone, and many Animists, but especially those of North America, painted it on their faces. There were no exact phrases that could be mulled over, but the sense of the purpose was what was important. Writing was not invented till just a few thousand years ago, long after agriculture started (about 10,000 years ago). And writing is a product of settled, farming societies. So there are no animist holy books. Most traditional cultures that practice Animism also have an oral tradition of storytelling, rather than a developed writing system. PLACE OF WORSHIP The people that practice the religion of animism don't go to a specific place to worship. Since there is no main god, animists don't go to a church, or a shrine, or a temple. They traditionally preform all of their rituals outside in a nature filled setting. BELIEFS & TEACHINGS Many people following primal religions live in isolated rural areas. Their lives are built around the forces of nature. Birth, death, illness and disaster are not hidden or sanitized as they are in many developed societies. Outside forces such as foreigners or neighboring peoples may be feared. Some tribal groups are nomadic. It is easier to be aware of a spiritual dimension to life, and when human strengths and frailties are exposed by such environments, there is a need for spiritual . Primal animistic religions share essential similarities with world religions: a belief in a powerful spiritual realm which coexists with the physical world; usually prayer, sacrifice or offering as a means to communicate with the spiritual world; shrines, temples or sacred places; priests, shamans or mediums who can help the people to hear from the spirits or gods, and sometimes a belief in a ‘sky god’ who is creator and above all other gods/spirits. Animistic folk religions usually grow out of primal religions mixed with one or more world religions. This happens when a world religion is introduced to the area where animistic religions are already practiced. The world religion may seem to predominate, but often its tenets and practices will be less important than, or followed alongside, folk customs based on spirit belief. The spiritual force and the spirit world The basis of animism is that the spirit world is stronger than humans. The power of the spirit world infuses everything. Spirits are often believed to dwell in particular objects, such as a tree, or places, such as an area of forest, or a village. Sometimes the spirits move around, even following people if they move. Origin of the spirits
Some spirits are the souls of deceased ancestors. Others are beings inherent in nature and the spirit realm. For some people the spirits are intermediaries between humans and a higher god. This is often the case in a folk religion, or a primal religion recognizing a supreme god. In other primal religions, the spirits are the primary beings of the spirit realm. As such their help is sought. Sometimes the help of particular spirits is sought for particular occasions, e.g. during illness or war, for marriage or childbirth, or for work and study. Help is also sought for amelioration of weather conditions or a good harvest. Relationship with the spirits Relationship between the spirit world and the human world is ongoing and requires human effort. Some spirits are seen as friendly and helpful, and gratitude is shown by the human effort of prayer or offerings. Other spirits may be evil or troublesome, and need to be avoided or appeased. Human effort is required to ensure the goodwill of the spirits, and to ensure that they are not offended or neglected. with the spirits For with the spirits special methods and/or trained, gifted individuals are usually required. Some tribal groups have a shaman. Shamans enter the spirit world by way of an ecstatic trance. They return to the earthly world with messages from the spirits. Other communities make through a medium or through divination. Methods of divination include astrology (e.g. in China), fortune telling (e.g. by selection of a written ‘fortune’ in folk Buddhism) and rituals (in many tribal communities). In many areas, including those where a world religion is established, there are local healers who prescribe rituals to seek healing from the spirits. In rural areas they will also use natural methods (plants and herbs). Basic Practices in Animism In animism there are numerous taboos or prohibitions. Prohibitions are made to preserve the harmony between the spiritual world and physical world. Places or people where the life force is concentrated are protected. Myriads of taboos exist and violation of them can result in cursing of a community and must be atoned for by sacrifices. Second, there are sacred places. Sacred places of worship exist to commune with the spiritual world. These are places where sacred power is concentrated. In Haiti there is a sacred tree where a pact with the devil was signed over 200 years ago by the animistic witch doctors. These witch doctors were most displeased when Christian pastors recently prayed over the tree and successfully commanded the spirits to leave it. Third, there are sacred things. A whole host of objects possess power and are potentially dangerous. Stones are often believed to possess sacred power. This is one reason you can easily find crystal jewelry and other semi-precious stones for sale in catalogs and stores. Certain plants and insects are believed to be sacred and taboo. Carved images are believed to possess the spirit of divinities.
Fourth, there are sacred actions. Worship includes sacrifices of animals or plants to the deities. The priests or shamans perform the sacred rites. Omens play an essential role; this is the origin of saying "God bless you" after someone sneezes, to protect the spirits from jumping into the suddenly vulnerable person. Signs in the heavens and certain reptiles or animals encountered in a day (such as a black cat crossing one's path portending bad luck) may predict one's future. Fifth, there are sacred words. There are many oaths, curses, and blessings. The spells of both white and black witchcraft are sacred words. Words are charged with sacred power if uttered by a priest. Such words possess the sacred power, manna. Sixth, there are sacred persons. Witches use their powers for good and evil. They can use their powers to protect communities from enemies. They can use their power to communicate with the gods and spirits. In most societies, witchcraft and sorcery are most feared. Witches are believed to travel great distances in short periods, kill at a distance, and master demons. Witches have supernatural powers to inflict harm on others. They can cast spells on others. They can inject foreign bodies into a victim, causing illness. Witches have the ability to communicate with dead spirits. Many societies believe they can transform themselves into animals. Then there is the shaman or the medicine man. He can cure sicknesses. He directs sacrificial rites and escorts souls to the other world. At times he can leave his body and observe events from a distance. He is born into the family or earns the job by ing tests and rituals. There is also the sacred king. Then there are sub-humans such as trolls and water spirits. Finally there are "little people," such as leprechauns. Seventh, there are sacred rituals that must be performed regularly. The head of the family performs some; others require the expertise of the priests. Eighth, there is the practice of magic and divination. The art of casting spells and communicating with the spirit world are reserved for the priests. NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS Primal Indigenous is a religion that has about 300 million followers (estimated value as of 2010) and is the 7th ranked religion in the world. Not a single organized religion includes a wide range of traditional or tribe religions, including animism, shamanism, and paganism. Since African traditional and diasporic religions are counted separately in this list, most of the remaining people counted in this group are in Asia. Animists in East Asia Mongolia - pop 3m, 50% animist Vietnam - pop 70m, 3% animist Cambodia - pop 9m, 3% animist China - pop 1200m, 3% animist Malaysia - pop 20m, 2% animist Philippines - pop 75m, 2% animist
Indonesia - pop 202m, 1% animist Myanmar - pop 70m, 1% animist
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