FIND OUT MORE. Canada, Alaska, and Greenland 224–225
Society and Beliefs^283
Local religions are unique to tribal or cultural groups
living apart from modern societies. They are not taught
through texts, but through story-telling, art, songs, and
. RITUALS. Many honour their ancestors as well as
gods or natural spirits.
Like all world religions, local religions have
rituals – special performances of words and
actions that help to bind the community
together in a common identity. Rituals may
mark a rite of passage, such as marriage, or
be a call for help from the spirit world.
WHY ARE SOME PLACES SACRED?
Sacred places always have a special importance to
the life of the tribe. They may be a source of water,
a gathering point, a site of ancestor activities, or a
border with another group’s territory. Sometimes they
are used as burial grounds for the dead.
WHAT IS A FETISH FOR?
Fetishes are portable, carved, and customized objects
that are believed to be the home for a spirit or to
possess magical powers. The owner of the fetish may
use it to borrow the powers of that spirit or simply
as protection against bad luck or bad health.
WHO WORSHIPS ANCESTORS?
Offering gifts and prayers to dead ancestors is a
common feature of local religious ritual throughout
the world, especially in Asia. The dead are believed to
help their living relatives, and to intervene with the
gods on their behalf.
WHAT IS A SHAMAN?
Most local religions have a shaman, or medicine
man, who possesses secret knowledge and uses
spells, rituals, and traditional knowledge of
medicinal plants or animals to help those who
need healing or spiritual help.
TOTEM POLE 3
Totem poles are
mainly found among
the tribal peoples of the
northwest coast of America.
The carvings represent the
different clans (symbolized by animal
spirits) to which the owner belongs.SHAMAN DANCING 3
This Dayak shaman from Indonesia is performing a ceremonial dance.
Shamans often use dance to enter altered states of consciousness in
order to communicate with the spirit world.Local Religions
ULURU 3
This huge red rock (also
known as Ayers Rock) in
the heart of the Northern
Territory, Australia, is the
most sacred place for the
Aboriginal people.RITUALS
local
religions