Significance Of Ritual In North American Indian Religion
Beginning of paper
Submitted to: Dr. John X. Xxxxxxx
RELST 110.6.01
When scholars study religion, the tendency exists to focus on the
mythological aspects of the religion in an attempt to understand the major
underlying concepts present. However, an equally rewarding study often can be
accomplished through the ca ....
Middle of paper
.... meaning, and offers a generous insight into Native American belief
systems. This essay will first look at the dynamics of the sacred pipe ritual
and offer some explanation into its religious significance, then draw some
parallels to the more common sweat lodge ceremony. If a recurring spiritual
theme appears in separate rituals, it can be considered evidence of a consistent,
structured belief system.
The use of smoking pipes in Native American cultures is a popular and
very ancient pr ....
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Word count: 1770
Page count: 7 (approximately 250 words per page)
