World Religions - Essay Example

World Religion Shaman to a Priest or Minister Shamanism distinguishes markedly in quite a few significant features with tenets which inspire formal religious institutions and the measures connected with them. Initially, at institutional level, shaman was the sole practitioner whose extraordinary powers are special in nature. Usually, he owes no official obligation within the society to any group for the position he held. He is actually considered an equivalent among equals and continuously attempts to disseminate any power or authority that can be treated as an outcome of his abilities. This status diverges stridently from the status of priest, who develops power from his office in a recognized religious organization. The powers of shaman are immediate and personal. He directly tackles spirits which is of equal importance to him and his society. The expectations of acquiring prompt response for individual or group needs. On the other hand, the formal religion’s priest is typically concerned with group event’s conduct in which, all the way through ritual practice, a contributing public was brought into contact by him with holy forces which are supposed to seize universal authority. Furthermore, it is quite common in the religious ceremonies, that the priest directly encounters supernatural or to anticipate instant consequences from them. As an alternative he acts as a mediator for the group which is participating with more remote religion whose holy power exceeds the elite significance of local communities. From religious studies, it is quite clear that in observance organized religions and shamanism are not equally exclusive. Role of Nature in Indigenous Religions The phrase “indigenous religions” used to refer people who are living in pre-contemporary form of continuation, several indigenous groups survived by selectively accepting modern technologies to safeguard their lands as well as ensuring their culture’s survival and adaptation. Looking at the above, this term refers to an idea that the religious and social lives of given inhabitants are deep-rooted in to a specified place. It can be seen clearly that there is no difference between the concerns of hunter-gatherers and today’s people. Everyone is fully aware of the fact that religion is an essential part of evolutionary path for human. The practices of indigenous religions are now incorporated into some new religions appearing all over the globe (Fisher, 33-37). Earlier, Onondagas developed their very own food system so that they can survive. The Haudenosaunee were gathers as well as hunters. Beans, corns and squash were the basic food and were referred as three sisters by both Haudenosaunee and Onondaga. These were nature’s first three foods. Corn was used to dry and was added in soup, it was grounded so that flour can be made out of it which can help in making bread. This food was considered as the most essential and important food from the nature. People used to sing and dance while eating these special foods (Venables). For summer and spring the Onondagas consider that nature provide them fishes in plentiful streams. However, the thank nature for allowing them ti hunt rabbit, turkey and deer during winter and fall. They keep themselves warm during winter by having the ample amount of meat gifted from nature. The hunters in return share their prey with rest of the community members. Strawberries are also considered as a gift from Mother Nature (Venables). Just like hunters, gatherers are also trained to catch only the things required. One should pay more attention to all this and consider it as a important message to learn that not all the resources should be depleted, there should be something left for tomorrow, for future, for our next generation. It’s not always wise to avail each and every opportunity utilizing the resources or opportunities carefully is a wise decision. Adolescent Initiation Rites are Common in All Societies There are some main initiation rites of African which are very essential for human development and growth.  Originally, these rites were established by the ancestors of Africa whilst they were living so that individuals and the community can be linked and community must be linked to more broader and effective spiritual world.  For a community, the most essential and natural part is Initiation rites just like our legs, arms, and other necessary and natural extension of human body.  These rites should not be considered as for granted since they are very critical for community and individual development, no one develops automatically or on their own. In order to start a new life, there is a process and procedure of initiation apprehension undergoing major set of rites. It allows you to proceed from one phase to another mature phase. Initiation essentially is linked with transformation, and serves as a central part of African traditional cultures. The information of these rites varies in different societies, however they are nevertheless fundamental components of any society since they assist and guide their folks from life’s one developmental stage in to the next that is, birth and death and beyond. A rite is basically a fundamental act and/or rituals executed as per the prescribed social customs and rules. Following are five rites: 1. Birth 2. Adulthood 3. Marriage 4. Eldership 5. Ancestor-ship Each of the above mentioned rites are essential component which are associated with African traditional cultures.  Some civilizations have more sophisticated and widespread ceremonies as compare to others; however these five rites connect families with villages and provide essential groups for individual development and growth. The indigenous Western African culture were also not “perfect” and comprises of many issues just like rest of the societies, however they do present a viable instance in this modern world in order to solve their social contradictions and conflicts and provide everyone the societal support so that they can discover and complete their mission of life mission along with unique contribution. Rite of Adulthood is one of the chief initiation rites which are one of the most popular issues.  These are basically done at puberty age that is, around the ages of 12-13 and they make sure that productive shaping are done as responsible adults. There is a proper process through which a child is turned into adult. This adulthood transition is extremely complex in Western societies since there are limited or no adulthood rites system to thoroughly direct and guide the youth through the most vital stage of their life cycle.  African societies steadily instigate girls and boys.  They teach them everything about adulthood which includes the taboos and rules of society; social responsibility and moral instruction, and clarify further mission of their lives. An Isolated Place Only Surviving by Hunting and Gathering A hunter or gatherer or a forager society is basically the one in which mostly all or partial food is obtained through wild animals and plants, on the contrary to agricultural societies who are depended on domesticated species mainly. Hunter and gatherers are kind of nomad. If I were to live in an isolated place I would have followed the same pattern as followed by hunters and gathers which they are practicing from thousands of years. These societies are basically found in arctic region or remote jungles which are relatively unreachable areas. However, the number of these societies that is hunter and gatherer has diminished gradually. These societies, as is habitually the case, are either assimilated or exterminated, the more they are attracted towards their interest. Importance to Understanding Onondaga Identity Following is some relevant information which I believe should be focused more to understand Onondaga identity. Earlier, the Onondaga inhabitants suffered the maximum losses of significance of physical appearance of their civilization or culture which includes cultural objects and wampum; however, they determinedly maintained the sacred essence of their identity. Today, it is quite difficult to comprehend why these irreplaceable stuff were permitted to be misplaced to the Onondaga future. On the other hand, at every loss, the conviction that no one would e there to be bothered for these significant things in future was expressed quite often, even Onondaga themselves mentioned it. Considering the direction as well as situation of their residents at that time, they unwillingly divided them; genuinely feeling that at least they will be paid more attention and care. It was a time of apparently unmanageable pressure, a surviving period and waiting to observe what would occur and what future have for them (Cultural Survival). There were some folks fortunately, who stood strong and uphold their belief and culture. Those who do not have high hopes from Future and were doubtful were proved wrong. One can learn from their mistake which they did in the Past so that it should not occur in the future. Onondaga now are prone to technologies and should be treated equally and fairly like the rest of this world. Reference Fisher, Mary Pat. Living religions: an encyclopedia of the world's faiths. IB Tauris, 1997. Venables, Robert. "Onondaga Nation - People of the Hills." Onondaga Nation - People of the Hills. onondaganation.org, n.d. Web. 5 June 2013. Cultural Survival “Hunters and Gatherers: The Search for Survival”- An Introduction | Cultural Survival, Inc., 17 Feb. 2010. Web. 03 June 2013. . Read More