Although a section on Mythology is no substitute for a section on Native American Religion, Native American belief systems include many sacred narratives. Such spiritual stories are deeply based in Nature and are rich with the symbolism of seasons, weather, plants, animals, earth, water, sky and fire. The principle of an all embracing, universal and omniscient Great Spirit, a connection to the Earth, diverse creation narratives and collective memories of ancient ancestors are common. Traditional worship practices are often a part of tribal gatherings with dance, rhythm, songs and trance. Actual practices vary.
Tribal/National Spiritual Practices
- Abenaki A North American tribe located in the falang northeastern United States. Religious ceremonies are led by shamans, called Medeoulin (Mdawinno).
- Anishinaabe A North American tribe located primarily in the Great Lakes
- Aztec. A Mesoamerican empire centered in the valley of Mexico.
- Blackfoot A North American tribe who currently live in Montana. Originally west of the Great Lakes in Montana and Alberta as participants in Plains Indian culture.
- Cherokee. A North American culture situated in the southeastern United States and in Oklahoma.
- Creek A North American nation from the southeastern United States. The shaman was called an Alektca.
- Crow A North American tribe from the Great Plains area of the United States. The shaman of the tribe was known as an Akbaalia ("healer").
- Guarani A South American people of the south-central part of South America, especially the native peoples of Paraguay and parts of the surrounding areas of Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.
- Ho-Chunk and Winnebago are North Americans tribes which were once a single tribe living in Wisconsin.
- Hopi A North American community located in the southwestern United States.
- Incan A South American empire based in the central Andes mountain range.
- Inuit A north American people culturally similar to other peoples of the polar regions.
- Lakota A North American tribe, also known as the Sioux.
- Lenape A North American tribe from the Delaware area
- Mapuche, A South American culture of Chile and some regions of Argentina.
- Maya, A Mesoamerican people of southern Mexico and Northern Central America.
- Miwok mythology, A North American people in Northern California.
- Navajo A North American nation from the southwestern United States.
- Ohlone mythology, A North American people in Northern California.
- Pawnee A North American tribe originally located in Nebraska, United States.
- Pomo mythology, A North American people in Northern California.
- Seneca A North American people, one of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy from the northeastern United States.
- Wyandot A North American people (sometimes referred to as the Huron) originally from Ontario, Canada, and surrounding areas.
See also
- Earth-maker myth, Native American, California.
External links
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