Native American spirituality is rich in history and culture, with many of its traditions still practiced within tribes today.
To understand the depth of the faith of Native Americans, one must take the time to learn about the various practices and rituals, and, most importantly, the meaning found behind them.
Native American Indians have remained true to their roots, despite the numerous transitions and periods of adversity encountered over generations. From tribal dances to special blessings, rituals have remained strong and true, unshaken by changing times.
Read on for more information regarding Native American spirituality and the lessons learned from it.
The Beginnings of Native American Spirituality
When Europeans first settled in North America, there were more than 1,000 tribes native to the continent. Each of the individual sects had its own rituals and spiritual beliefs, which would make an article covering each aspect of Native American spirituality massive. However, it can be said that all tribes shared a common bond of making spirituality the very center of their lives, and the culture continues to be extremely spiritual today.
Native American spirituality is nature-based, as the culture has always had a close bond with the earth. The various rituals associated with each tribe are based upon the area in which they live. Great Plains Indians worship sky and sun, while farming Native Americans worship the corn god or animals they depend upon for food, clothing and general survival.
This nature worship is rooted in Native Americans’ deep tradition of mythology, in which people are one with the land. While mainstream Western Christianity teaches of original sin and earth as a transitory place, Native American spirituality teaches that earth is our permanent home and there is no concept of heaven or division from God or other deities.
