14.4 Contemporary Indigenous Religious Movements

The ghost dance is a spiritual movement among Native American tribes that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by a ceremonial dance believed to bring about a restoration of traditional ways of life and the return of deceased ancestors. This movement reflected a desire for renewal and resistance against the loss of Indigenous identity and culture amid European colonization and oppression.

Wovoka: A Paiute prophet who promoted the ghost dance in the late 1800s, claiming that it would lead to a resurgence of Native American culture and bring peace and harmony.

Lakota Sioux: A Native American tribe heavily involved in the ghost dance movement, which sought to unify Indigenous people and revive traditional practices in response to oppression.

Reservation System: The government policy that forced Native Americans onto designated lands, often resulting in loss of their traditional lifestyle, which fueled movements like the ghost dance.

Cultural identity refers to the shared characteristics, values, and beliefs that define a group of people, often shaped by their historical experiences, language, religion, and traditions. It plays a vital role in how individuals understand themselves and their place in the world, especially within the context of contemporary Indigenous religious movements that seek to reclaim and revitalize cultural practices and spiritual beliefs that have been marginalized or suppressed.

Indigenous Knowledge: The traditional knowledge held by Indigenous peoples, encompassing their customs, practices, and worldviews that have been passed down through generations.

Cultural Revitalization: The process by which a culture seeks to preserve, restore, or enhance its traditions and practices in response to external pressures or influences.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious beliefs and practices, often seen in Indigenous movements that incorporate elements of both traditional beliefs and dominant religions.

Neo-paganism refers to contemporary religious movements that seek to revive and reconstruct ancient polytheistic and nature-based religions. These movements often draw inspiration from pre-Christian traditions, emphasizing a connection to nature, rituals, and reverence for multiple deities, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards spirituality that values environmentalism and personal experience.

Wicca: A modern pagan religious movement that focuses on witchcraft and nature worship, typically involving rituals, seasonal festivals, and the worship of a God and Goddess.

Druidry: A spiritual movement inspired by the ancient practices of the Celtic druids, focusing on nature reverence, seasonal celebrations, and the pursuit of wisdom through connection with the natural world.

Eclectic Paganism: A form of neo-paganism that combines elements from various pagan traditions and beliefs, allowing individuals to create a personal spiritual path that resonates with their own experiences.

The Native American Church is a religious movement that combines elements of Indigenous spirituality with Christianity, primarily focused on the ceremonial use of peyote as a sacrament. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing a spiritual framework that addresses the cultural and spiritual needs of Native American communities while promoting healing and social welfare.

Peyote: A small cactus containing psychoactive alkaloids, particularly mescaline, used in Native American Church ceremonies for spiritual insight and healing.

Vision Quest: A traditional Native American practice involving fasting and meditation in nature, aimed at achieving spiritual guidance and personal insight.

Indigenous Rights: The rights of Indigenous peoples to maintain their cultural identity, traditions, and land, often highlighted in the context of movements for social justice and equality.

Revitalization movements are social and religious movements aimed at creating a new vision of society, often in response to perceived crises or dissatisfaction with the existing social order. These movements typically seek to restore or enhance traditional practices, beliefs, and values, and can lead to significant cultural transformations. They often emerge among communities experiencing social upheaval, cultural dislocation, or colonization, as a way to reclaim identity and assert agency.

Cultural Revitalization: Efforts by a group to revive and maintain their cultural practices and beliefs that may be threatened by external forces or modernization.

Millenarian Movements: Religious movements that anticipate a major transformation of society, often believing that this change will come through divine intervention.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious beliefs and practices to form new traditions, often seen in revitalization movements as a response to cultural change.

Cargo cults are religious movements that emerged in Melanesia during the early to mid-20th century, primarily in response to the arrival of Western colonizers and their material goods. These cults often involve the belief that ancestral spirits or deities will deliver material wealth, or 'cargo,' to the faithful, similar to what was seen with Western goods brought by colonizers. Cargo cults reflect a unique blend of traditional beliefs and the impacts of colonialism, highlighting how indigenous groups interpret and adapt their spiritual practices in light of foreign influences.

Millenarianism: A belief in a coming transformation of society, often involving a significant change in the world order or the establishment of a utopian society.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious beliefs and practices into a new, cohesive system, often occurring in response to cultural contact and exchange.

Rituals: Structured and repeated actions or ceremonies that are performed for specific purposes within a religious or cultural context.

The John Frum Movement is a religious and social movement among the Ni-Vanuatu people of the island of Tanna in Vanuatu, centered around the veneration of a figure named John Frum, who is believed to be an American or European who will return to bring prosperity. This movement emerged during and after World War II, highlighting indigenous responses to colonialism and external influences, as well as the desire for self-determination and cultural revitalization.

Cargo Cults: Religious movements that emerged in Melanesia, which anticipate the arrival of material wealth and goods from the West, often through supernatural means.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious beliefs and practices, often seen in the way indigenous beliefs merge with foreign influences.

Postcolonialism: A theoretical framework that examines the effects of colonialism on cultures and societies, focusing on identity, power dynamics, and resistance.

The taro cult refers to a contemporary indigenous religious movement primarily found in the Pacific Islands, centered around the veneration of the taro plant as a sacred symbol of life, sustenance, and cultural identity. This movement often incorporates traditional beliefs and practices while adapting to modern influences, emphasizing community solidarity, ecological sustainability, and a deep spiritual connection to the land.

Mana: A spiritual force or energy believed to reside in people, objects, or the environment, significant in many Polynesian cultures, including the context of the taro cult.

Rituals: Ceremonial acts performed according to prescribed order, often central to the practices of indigenous religious movements, including those associated with the taro cult.

Cultural revival: Efforts by indigenous communities to reclaim and revitalize their traditional beliefs, practices, and languages, which are often interwoven with movements like the taro cult.

Syncretism is the blending or merging of different religious beliefs, practices, and traditions to create a new, cohesive system. This phenomenon often occurs when cultures interact, leading to the incorporation of elements from one faith into another, thereby facilitating coexistence and adaptation. It highlights the fluidity of religious identity and showcases how belief systems evolve over time through contact and exchange.

Religious Pluralism: The acceptance and coexistence of multiple religions within a society, allowing individuals to practice their faith without persecution.

Cultural Assimilation: The process in which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture, often leading to a loss of original cultural identity.

New Religious Movements: Spiritual or religious groups that have emerged relatively recently, often incorporating diverse elements from existing religions while presenting new beliefs and practices.

Religious syncretism refers to the blending and merging of different religious beliefs, practices, and traditions, resulting in a new, hybrid system of faith. This phenomenon often occurs when cultures interact and influence each other, leading to the incorporation of elements from various religions into a cohesive whole. It reflects the dynamic nature of spirituality and illustrates how belief systems can evolve and adapt over time.

Cultural Assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the beliefs and practices of another culture, often leading to the loss of their original cultural identity.

Religious Pluralism: A social framework that recognizes and accepts multiple religious beliefs coexisting within a society, promoting dialogue and mutual respect among different faiths.

Folklore: The collection of traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices of a particular culture or community that can influence religious expressions and practices.

Rastafarianism is a religious and social movement that emerged in Jamaica during the 1930s, characterized by a belief in the divinity of Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia. This movement is deeply rooted in Afrocentric identity, promoting cultural pride, resistance against oppression, and a connection to African heritage. Rastafarianism combines elements of Christianity, mysticism, and African traditions, and emphasizes the importance of repatriation to Africa as a response to the historical injustices faced by people of African descent.

Haile Selassie I: The Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, revered by Rastafarians as the living God and a symbol of black liberation.

Dreadlocks: A hairstyle associated with Rastafarian culture, symbolizing a spiritual connection and commitment to their faith.

Jamaican Patois: The Creole language spoken in Jamaica, which has influenced Rastafarian music and culture, often used in their religious expressions.

Haile Selassie I was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, renowned for his efforts to modernize the country and his role in the Rastafarian movement. He is viewed as a divine figure by Rastafarians, symbolizing African pride and liberation, which connects him deeply to new religious movements and contemporary indigenous spiritual practices.

Rastafarianism: A religious and social movement that emerged in Jamaica during the 1930s, which reveres Haile Selassie I as a messianic figure and promotes themes of black empowerment and repatriation to Africa.

Pan-Africanism: A political and social movement aimed at unifying African people and nations, advocating for their rights and independence, which aligns with Haile Selassie's efforts against colonialism.

Jah: A term used in Rastafarianism to refer to God, often associated with Haile Selassie I, emphasizing his divine status and significance within the faith.

The spiritual use of cannabis refers to the practice of incorporating cannabis into religious or spiritual rituals and experiences. This use is often seen among contemporary Indigenous religious movements, where cannabis is utilized to facilitate connection with the divine, enhance meditation, and promote communal bonding among practitioners. The significance of cannabis in these contexts is deeply rooted in traditional beliefs and contemporary interpretations that align with spiritual exploration and healing.

Entheogen: A substance used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context to induce altered states of consciousness for the purpose of personal or communal transformation.

Sacred plants: Plants that hold religious significance and are often used in rituals, believed to have special powers that facilitate communication with the spiritual world.

Cultural appropriation: The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without understanding or respecting the original cultural significance.

Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion that emphasizes the worship of nature, the practice of magic, and the reverence of a Goddess and God. This faith draws on ancient pagan traditions and rituals, integrating them into contemporary practices. Wicca has gained popularity as part of the broader New Religious Movement landscape and shares certain beliefs with Contemporary Indigenous Religious Movements, particularly in its respect for nature and earth-centered spirituality.

Paganism: A diverse range of spiritual or religious beliefs often centered around nature, polytheism, and the worship of multiple deities.

Druidry: A spiritual movement that seeks to promote a deeper understanding of nature and often includes rituals, reverence for ancestors, and connections to Celtic traditions.

Eclectic Witchcraft: A form of witchcraft that draws from various traditions and practices, allowing individuals to tailor their spiritual paths based on personal beliefs.

Druidry is a contemporary spiritual movement that seeks to revive and practice the ancient beliefs and rituals of the Druids, who were part of Celtic societies. This movement often emphasizes a deep connection to nature, reverence for the earth, and the importance of community rituals. Druidry incorporates elements of mythology, nature worship, and personal spirituality, reflecting a diverse range of beliefs and practices that resonate with contemporary Indigenous religious movements.

Celtic Paganism: A spiritual tradition rooted in the ancient beliefs and practices of the Celtic peoples, often characterized by polytheism, nature worship, and reverence for ancestral spirits.

Animism: The belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a spiritual essence, often reflected in practices that honor the interconnectedness of all living things.

Neo-Paganism: A modern religious movement that seeks to reconstruct or revive ancient pagan practices, often drawing inspiration from pre-Christian traditions across various cultures.

Heathenry refers to a contemporary pagan religious movement that draws inspiration from the ancient spiritual practices of Northern European peoples, particularly those of the Germanic and Norse traditions. It emphasizes the worship of various deities, reverence for nature, and the importance of ancestral heritage, connecting practitioners to their historical roots and cultural identity.

Asatru: A modern-day revival of ancient Norse beliefs that focuses on the worship of the Aesir gods and goddesses, such as Odin and Thor.

Polytheism: The belief in and worship of multiple deities, which is a central characteristic of heathenry and many other indigenous religions.

Ancestor Worship: A practice within heathenry that involves honoring and remembering one's ancestors, often through rituals and offerings.

Hellenismos refers to the modern revival of ancient Greek religious practices and beliefs, often associated with contemporary indigenous religious movements. This revival emphasizes a connection to Hellenic heritage and spirituality, drawing inspiration from ancient texts, rituals, and the worship of the Olympian gods. It represents a cultural resurgence that seeks to reclaim and revitalize the religious identity of ancient Greece within a modern context.

Polytheism: The belief in and worship of multiple deities, characteristic of many ancient religions including that of ancient Greece.

Paganism: A term often used to describe religious practices that are outside of the major world religions, including the revival of ancient traditions like Hellenismos.

Neopaganism: A contemporary religious movement that seeks to reconstruct and revive ancient pagan beliefs and practices, including those from Greek traditions.

Cultural appropriation refers to the act of taking or using elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without permission and typically in a way that misrepresents or commodifies the original culture. This practice can lead to misunderstandings and exploitation, particularly when the appropriating culture holds more power or privilege than the culture being appropriated. In the context of Indigenous religious movements, cultural appropriation often raises concerns about the disrespect of sacred traditions and the commodification of spiritual practices.

cultural assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs and beliefs of another culture, often resulting in a loss of their original cultural identity.

colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country or territory, often involving the exploitation of its resources and people, which can lead to cultural appropriation.

cultural exchange: A mutual sharing of cultural elements between groups, often characterized by respect and acknowledgment rather than exploitation or misrepresentation.