Animism, Shamanism, and Ancestral Veneration 600 BCE-BC By: Dulce Munoz, Ayana Carter, Lois Mallett Period:6

Animism[an-uh-miz-uh m] The belief in supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe. The belief that natural objects, natural phenomena and the universe itself possess souls.

Animism is found in the religions of native people which include Shinto, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Pantheism and Neopaganism. Animism is especially important where traditional religions have not been introduced. Animism continued to shape the lives of people within and outside of core civilizations because of their daily reliance on the natural world.

Koreans Throughout the era of Buddhist dominance in religion, Koreans animistic beliefs survived mostly with magical rituals performed by shamans.

Inuit Inuit believed in animism. When a spirit died it continued living in the spirit world. The only people who had enough power to control the spirits were Shamans.

Shamanism [shah-muh-niz-uh m] The practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to interact with the spirit world.

Olmec In the Olmec civilization the shamans and rulers were believed to be relatives of gods and they could only contact them. The shamans were a big part of the culture and sculptures were built for them.

Ancestral Veneration The custom of worshiping deceased ancestors who are still considered part of the family and whose spirits are believed to have the power to intervene in the affairs of the living.

Ancestral veneration in Japan In Japan ceremonies like memorials and extravagant funerals are used to worship ancestors. Just like the chinese the Japanese build shrines and altars to worship their dead and believe their ancestors can give them guidance.

Ancestor worship in Japan cont. The Japanese have an annual ceremony where the dead visit their homes (like day of the dead in Mexico)

Ancestral Veneration in China Ancestral veneration has a huge impact on the day to day life of the chinese because in confucianism ancestral worship is strongly emphasized. In order to worship their ancestors the chinese build shrines in their homes.

Ancestral worship in China Cont. There is even spirit money known as hell notes that are burned as offerings. The living make offerings to the dead like toothbrushes, slippers, combs, and food.