The Medico-Religious Plants of Assam, India The following is a study into the various plants for both medical and religious use in the area of Assam, India. The following peoples will be compared in this study: the Hajong, the Mishing, and the Tiwas; just three of a vast array of tribes located on the state of Assam in India. Assam has been found to be a wealth of information on Ethnobotanicals: starting with plants used in socio-religious practices; restrictions and taboos on certain sacred plants; plant associations with deities; sacred plants that are repellents for gods and evil spirits that cause diseases; and plants used in divination for the recovery of lost items. These plants are regarded as sacred for social, cultural and religious purposes; to the Assamians all surrounding vegetation is considered religious ground. The research for this study will include discovering the types of 'holy ' plants used, what parts of the plants are used and what is the purpose of the plant within the performance of a ritual or other ceremony? Also with the three peoples being studied, what are the differences in use of plants for each group? What are the similarities? Are there any variations on the type of plant species used, or variation on the performance of ritual or ceremony, with similar plant usage? By the conclusion of this paper it is believed all these questions will be
Within many known religions, the devotional practices has been known to acquire great importance. The essence of practicing what you preach has scolded many religious groups, introducing true beliefs, righteousness, and a wider connection to the supreme being . In the book entitled “ Living religions” by Mary Pat Fisher, clarified and firm descriptions were introduced about religious rituals. Surprisingly; the author utilized small parts of modern concepts, limiting the reader from a full comprehension of religious practices today, therefore; I will only discuss the basic and traditional rituals. To elaborate; in this paper, I will be providing an opinionated but also, comparative description of the major practices and rituals that undergo in both the Abrahamic and indigenous religions.
Elialde author of The Sacred and the Profane introduces a new model of the sacred and the profane. Elialde’s model is meant to be universal, therefore meant to be appropriate for any recognized religion. David Carrasco author of Religions of Mesoamerica and Kay Almere Read and Jason J. González authors of Mesoamerican Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs of Mexico and Central America, discuss their interpretation of the Mesoamerican religion although their views on the Mesoamerican religion differs in some aspects when compared to Eliade’s model of the sacred and the profane there are a few noticeable similarities between both views.
DBQ: Using specific examples from the documents below, analyze the purposes that rituals and festivals served in traditional
Throughout its range in the Pacific Northwest, this fiercely spiked shrub is considered to be the most important medicinal plant amongst the First Nations people who live there. The devil’s club, Oplopanax horridus, is highly valued by the indigenous people wherever it is found and has innumerable uses. Traditionally, it has been used medicinally both topically and orally for a wide variety of maladies as well as a general tonic. Additionally, it is a very significant plant spiritually and plays an important role in ceremony and rituals. It is also highly valued for specific material purposes. While the young shoots are edible, it is not considered to be a food plant, instead it is recognized for its many therapeutic benefits.
"Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" is significant as it establishes the issue of representation in ethnography. The purpose of the article is to raise the question of how can we study a different culture from the outside and how can we understand our own culture from within. Culture can be defined in many ways, Tylor (1871) stated that culture is; “…that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” Therefore, the article presents the topic of cultural relativism, arguing that there is no impartial viewpoint from which to assess cultures, that every culture should be interpreted and understood from the
Many traditional Native medicines and healing practices were discouraged with the advent of Western medicine, but now there is a movement to return to traditional ways (Zubek, 1994, p. 1924). Modern Western medicine treats the symptoms to cure a diseased state when the body is out of homeostasis. Native American healing traditions do this as well with herbs and plants suited to the purpose. These Native healing traditions also include sacred rituals, chants, and purification rites to help bring the spirit and mind of the afflicted back into balance. In effect, treating the whole person, not only the disease. A blending of these two healing practices could bring about better prognoses for today's patients. The purpose of this paper is
Peyote is a narcotic cactus plant that has been used in both religious and healing ceremonies of Native Americans for thousands of years. Peyote is considered safe by a majority of Native Americans, but also vastly important to their religious heritage. Not only is it considered historically important but the use of peyote is central to many beliefs of modern Pan-Indianism. Interestingly, the more popular peyote became among Native American tribes, the more of a concern it became to the US Government and this strange correlation of tribe use vs. government concern forces us to ask why peyote has become such a central point of conflict. This essay will attempt to answer that question and show why the
32. Which traditional Indian practice came under fire by British colonialists and was outlawed only to later be reinstated because practitioners said it was a religious practice?
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
2. Describe the religious customs of the Mayas, Aztecs, Timuquans, Natchez, and Spaniards as noted in the essay. In what ways were the various customs similar? In what ways were they different?
The belief in kinship with creation is widely supported within most indigenous religions. In this way of thinking, there is more importance placed on the concept of “we” than there is on the concept of “I”. Here, the family or village is where strong emphasis lies. In many indigenous traditions, developing and maintaining a respectful relationship with spiritual energy is paramount. This concept doesn’t only apply to humans, but also, in many cases to the immediate natural environment as well. The oneness of the body and the land is vital. Many think of themselves as mere ‘caretakers’ of the earth, and nothing more, who has a duty to nurture and preserve it for future generations. Certain animals are seen as spiritual conduits, just as certain trees are seen to impart herbal healing secrets.
Indigenous religions exist in every climate around the world and exhibit a wide range of differences in their stories, language, customs, and views of the afterlife. Within indigenous communities, religion, social behavior, art, and music are so intertwined that their religion is a significant part of their culture and virtually inseparable from it. These religions originally developed and thrived in isolation from one another and are some of the earliest examples of religious practice and belief. The modern world; however, has taken its toll on these groups and many of their stories, customs, and beliefs have been lost to, or replaced by, those brought in as a result of popular culture and the missionary work of Christians and Muslims.
The Natives of California distinguish plants and animals into diverse locations of botany and zoology . They learn to cultivate throughout the views of animals and by creating a food chain that benefited the tribe. Many native tribes observed the environmental system that either made other species survive and extinct. The natives were considered to be curious about the environment they lived that prepared them want to learn, observe, and practice rituals. The natives were uninformed that religious ritual such as coordinating the sun and moon movement was practical rituals of much groundwork for collecting food and building supplies. Like many other American native groups they established and discover valuable properties of plants. Using kernels, plant roots, tree barks and herbal leaves as curative purposes. As the native embarked a lot of nature resources there were many that are ineffective and some are used in today’s modern medicine.
* Describe when the ritual takes place. Does it respond to some particular event? It is held at specific time of year? Is it held on a regular basis? Is it performed only when needed?
The paper deals with the study of ethnomedicinal plants of the Nandurbar Tahsil of Nandurbar district, used against joint pains by various tribes. The paper reveals the methods of preparation and dose of administration as suggested by tribal doctors.