North American Shamanism Summary

In Eastern Algonquian religion they believed that there was a spiritual world that interacted constantly with the physical world.

Native American traditional medicine and spiritual healing rituals go back for thousands of years, these traditions often focus on different variations of alternative medicine. This knowledge is passed on throughout generations, many of the tribes learn that by mixing natural plants such as herbs and roots they can make remedies with healing properties. It is believed that being healthy is when people reach a state of harmony not only spiritually, mentally but physically. To be able to overcome the forces that cause illness people must “operate in the context of relationship to four constructs —namely, spirituality (Creator, Mother Earth, Great Father); community (family, clan, tribe/nation); environment (daily life, nature, balance); and self (inner passions and peace, thoughts, and values)” (Portman & Garret, 2006, p.453). In this research paper I am going to show evidence of the tremendous influence that Native American medicine and spiritual healing have over modern medicine in the course of healing

Ritual healing involves “health, emotion, identity, religion, self, suffering, modernity, and colonial situation”, according to Thomas Csordas, who spent a lot of time on the Indian lands with anthropologists studying the Navajo and their daily lives. There is one ceremonial healing practice that was studied in depth by Thomas Csordas and that is the Night Way Ceremony.

Culture is a complex concept that incorporates society’s beliefs, values, arts, attitudes and more. People like to be able to categorize animals, objects and unfortunately people. This idea of categorizing people has been around all throughout history. Whether it be race, religion, politics, or gender, people like categorization. Ideas that stray from tradition and challenge cultural norms lead to discrimination and ignorance. For example, in the late 1800s and early 1900s women did not have the same rights as their male counterparts, and women continue to struggle to receive full equality, the wage gap. Transgender or “Two Spirited” is when a person’s personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex. The movie “Two Spirits”

The healing rituals in the Navajo tribes included the spiritual healing rituals, which are a type of medicine or cure, which is believed to be being assisted by the spirits (Vogel 338). The Native Americans believed so much in these rituals especially the Navajo were the most community that believed in the capacity of this spiritual ritual healing. These healing influenced by the medium, which was the medicine, operate whom known as Shaman who would perform these rituals and will be able to heal a sick person. This paper will focus mainly on the beliefs, ceremonies and ritual events that were believed by the Navajo one of the Native Indians to treat their patients. It also argues ways and methods the Navajo used for their

There was also an exhibit of a “Cheyenne Rattle” which is used to treat sick people. The shaman would waive the rattle over the ill member’s head and they would be relieved of the evil spirits draining his body. Shamans and their people believed in these magical items. They were strong enough to drive out unwanted forces and sustain protective ones. They would combine a physical object with a spiritual force that would heal them from their sickness. Like the peasant and folk artist from “peasants and folk artist”, shamans were involved in a tradition that put a lot of pressure on them to become healers of their people. Sometimes they would have to go through extremes, such as depriving themselves of food or removing a body part to gain sympathy

Believed the supernatural powers can be manipulated by “medicine men or women” who would cure and advise other tribe members and act as a medium between our world and the spirit world. Shamans were believed to predict the future and use medicine and magic to heal the sick.

From present time to thousands of years ago, these ceremonies were used to cure a person’s situation or guide them through a difficult time in life. “Their beliefs and practices form a integral and seamless part of their very being. …They also embraced ceremonies and rituals that provided power to conquer the difficulties of life, as wells as events and milestones, such as puberty, marriage, and death”(Alexander). When the Native Americans practiced their ceremonies, they felt powerful, in control, and connected with their people. When they practiced their native culture, it tied their tribes together. Without these stories and ceremonies that they practiced, they would feel as if a piece of them were missing. Some Native Americans tried to find comfort in alcohol, but many times this resulted in depression and anger. If a person were to experience a difficulty in ones life, then there would be a ceremony that would fit the person’s situation. For example, Betonie, the medicine doctor, was able to invent a ceremony that fit Tayo’s

The Shaman is defined by a person who can mediate between the natural and supernatural world, can foretell the future, and most importantly, can ‘magically’ cure illnesses and injuries. Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was known throughout the Native American culture as this Shaman, or medicine man. He used illogical means to cure the Native American illnesses that ended up saving his life. “We did our healing by making the sign of the cross on the sick persons, breathing on them, saying the Lord’s prayer and a Hail Mary” (124). The surviving Spaniards used these methods in order to survive, but they did not know what they were doing. A typical Shaman uses metaphysical means of healing, which is exactly what the Spaniards did in order to stay alive.

Another characteristic of an indigenous religion deals with the emphasis placed on the spiritual specialists. The general consensus is that anyone can have personal or direct access to spirits or that which is unseen, yet felt (democratized shamanism). There is no special requirement in most indigenous systems that stipulate ‘who’ can commune or interact with spirits, however, as a general rule, many feel that it is best to leave interactions with spirits to those that have been taught or trained through ritual or purification of some sort. Most indigenous religions are not written down, but based on oral

The Southern States made up of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The principal perpetual settlement in North America was Jamestown, Virginia

By setting yourself free from the toxic emotions, crippled heart, and distressing history, bonding with a religious/spiritual group that consist of healers, can repair an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Cashwell and Young (2011) discuss how Indigenous Healers have an important role in a variety of cultural approaches that target an individual’s well-being aspects. The skills are practicing self-exploration, gaining information about the client’s religion, having the talent to approach the client about their differences, holding an open mind to many beliefs, be knowledgeable on the types of interventions that can assist the client, and confront their supervisor with areas they are hesitant in. However, when practicing

The Shamans have a very powerful believe in creation. It is very important as a religious director to protect the earth. Shaman’s personal has a very important role in getting his flock closer to the creator. Their role is just like a pastor at the church, the pastor takes care of his people by gathering them around and making them feel comfortable. In my opinion, all the religious specialists have a big role in helping their communities in reaching a stable and a spiritual life. Shaman is no difference than other directors, the gathering that they do during hunting is their spiritual ritual.

Chapter 7: Traditional Healing/ Shamanism In everyday life, humans have lost their knowledge of traditional healing as well as their traditions or more predominantly they rejected it in favour of believing that there is only One God, Capitalism, Individualism, and globalisation (Bernard 2001). This can be witnessed in Avatar from a few of Parker Selfridge quotes: "You know what? You throw a stick in the air around here, it's gonna land on some sacred... fern, for Chr*st's s*k*." - Parker to Dr Augustine while she is explaining the biology of the forests, and its importance to the Omaticaya clan. " No!

The mind of the shamans undergoes a change as he begins to chant and heal the needy. From tests completed on shaman there shows significant changes happening within the frontal lobe as the ritual begins. It is easy for the spirit to take over the ceremonial process, therefore, it is said that an important part of these rituals is that the shaman always keep the upper hand.