WEEK4 Philosophy

Land is a focal point for tribal communities, and indigenous religions view the land and other natural surroundings, such as flora, fauna, rock formations, and water elements, as family and powerful entities. Indigenous people believe certain sites are both sacred and spiritually energized. For this reason, these spaces are used for ceremonial dancing, ritualistic worship and sacrifice, theophanic experiences, and spiritual healing.

In addition to the land, certain objects carry spiritual weight. Objects such as talismans, pipes, ceremonial garments, and masks are passed down through familial lines, and with each generation, they can gain more powerful spiritual significance.

For traditional religions, the role of the storyteller is crucial to tribal identity. Because most indigenous groups adhere to oral tradition, they do not write down their sacred stories, medicinal practices, and tenets. Instead, storytellers are charged with the role of memorizing a variety of stories: creation stories, familial histories, songs, chants, prayers, historical events, and social or community mores.

With time, some tribal communities have preserved their stories through technological means: video and audio recordings, grammars for languages, yearly celebrations, and cultural exhibits open to the public.

For specific rituals and ceremonies, you will look at the Sioux nation, Australian Aborigines, and Torres Strait Islanders—three of the most researched and written about indigenous communities.

The Sioux (Little Snakes) nation is comprised of 13 political subdivisions within 7 tribes:

· Mdewakanton

· Sisseton

· Teton

· Wahpekute

· Wahpeton

· Yankton

· Yanktonai.

These tribes reside in areas in the United States Great Plains and southern Canada and, depending on the pronunciation, are known as Nakota, Dakota, or Lakota.

Historically, the buffalo was a central focus for the Sioux, and the sacred animal provided the Sioux people with much of their needs for physical and spiritual survival, including food, clothing, and tools. When colonization occurred, the buffalo became nearly exterminated from the region, and the nomadic Sioux could no longer rely on the animal, detrimentally affecting their survival as a people.

The buffalo is so deeply respected that White Buffalo Calf Woman is the great mother spirit of the Sioux people. Her pipe that she gave the people symbolizes Sioux unity.

The Australian Aboriginal teachings have largely been private to their communities for centuries in reaction to colonization. However, the teachings about Dreamtime and their relationship with the land and sea have recently come to life. The Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander religion is tied to the Dreamtime—time encompassing past, present, and future. These groups credit ancestral spirits with creating humans, natural life, and specific sacred worship sites. Some tribal communities believe the ancestors were spirit animals such as snakes.

Some northern Australian Aboriginal groups consider Uluru (Ayers Rock), depicted in Figure 1, as an extremely sacred place, as it holds many cave paintings (Figure 2) by their ancestors. Australian rock art is important to Aboriginals because it provides evidence of their existence for thousands of years, and it depicts their attachment to the spirit and animal world.

Fig. 1: Uluru (Parks Australia)

Fig. 2: Uluru Cave Paintings

In addition to nature, cultural heritage is equally important to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes. The Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival began in the 1980s and brings approximately 20 tribal communities from all over the Cape of Australia to celebrate their cultural heritage. Events include dance, song, music, and other events. Dance is a form of storytelling and identity for all indigenous people. Watch Video 1 to learn more about the importance of the Aboriginal dance that takes place at the Laura Festival.