Beginning with an historical perspective on Native North American peoples, this book presents an account of the spiritual traditions of the tribes, from the Tlingit of the north to the Navaho of the southwest. A chapter on the sacred looks at Native American spiritual life, examining unseen powers, the interdependency of all things, worship and community consciousness and the importance of preserving tradition. It also addresses Native American sacred history, relating the creation myths of the Earth Diver and Great Spirit and activities of cultural heroes and tricksters. A chapter on ceremonial life illuminates the expression of the sacred in such forms as initiation rites, death cults, shamanism, thanksgiving celebrations and personal ritual. The main body of the book concludes with an analysis of the predicament of the tribes in the 19th and 20th centuries and their revitalization in the late 20th century. The book is illustrated with images of tribal life, sacred landscapes, and native artefacts.
- ISBN10 0333674391
- ISBN13 9780333674390
- Publish Date 13 September 1996
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 30 May 2000
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Pan Macmillan
- Imprint Pan Books
- Format Paperback
- Pages 184
- Language English