Indigenous Philosophy and Worldviews

Indigenous Anthropology ANTH 2301 Indigenous Philosophy and Worldviews A common theme in Indigenous philosophy throughout many cultures is the idea that people are creatures of their environment. Native Americans consider themselves to be inextricably linked to the natural world; they see trees, rocks, and mountains as having animistic souls, and they regard animals as family. It is also believed that rivers, lakes, and even the seasons themselves have spirits. Animals were originally thought upon by many Native Americans as their brothers and sisters. A large portion of the earth is thought to have been created as a result of the deeds of some of the godlike creatures, including coyotes, beavers, and ravens. Several Native Americans develop strong bonds with specific animals in order to acquire shamanic abilities. The capacity to poison, heal, call salmon, call the weather, fish, or converse with animals are a few examples of these talents. These skills are usually acquired through rituals intended to acquaint individuals with their spirit guides at an early age. Although the nature of the ceremonies varies, a typical one has a young person travelling alone to a designated natural location, such a forest, hilltop, or mountain cave, where they fast and meditate until they hear the voice of their guardian spirit. Many Native Americans have spiritual connections in this way; the most strong among them may rise to the position of shaman or spiritual leader within their tribe. Within each tribe, specifics of these kinds of rituals are kept under wraps. The fear that non-Native people would do the same rites without supervision and perhaps harm themselves or the environment is one of the reasons for this secrecy. It is believed that the elders of the tribes embody native thought. Tribal elders acquire knowledge about their people and culture by leading complete lives within their unique cultural setting. Tribal languages are still spoken by many. Younger people in their society respect and assist their elders, and the seniors teach them about tribe customs and philosophy. Elders hold their status in part due to age, but they are typically acknowledged by their tribes for their exceptional wisdom. Depending on how knowledgeable they are about their customs and how well-liked they are by the community, certain elders may be more revered than others. Oral history research can also yield insights into Native philosophy. Many oral histories provide moral and ethical teachings on how the world was founded, how humans interact with animals, and how to obtain nourishment. Historical events like the removal of a tribe to a reserve, a mass death from sickness, a tsunami that caused people to flee to a mountain, a battle, or changes in the terrain due to geological activity can also be documented in oral histories. Oral histories frequently contain allegories and symbolism of strong spiritual powers that brought about the occurrence. A tale from the Wasco people describes how Coyote and Wishpoosh (Beaver) battled on the Columbia River, resulting in the formation of the Columbia Gorge. Native American explanations of a sequence of flood occurrences that transpired as surging floodwaters carved out the Columbia Gorge in Oregon are reflected in this oral history. During the great Ice Age, between 18,000 and 15,000 years ago, the Missoula floods happened. Geologists estimate that up to 90 floods occurred as a result of glacial ice dams breaching, revealing Lake Missoula in its wake. The Columbia River Gorge was formed when the ice dams broke during the warming era, allowing millions of hectares of water from the glacial lake to rush down the Columbia. Possibly hundreds of times, the dams would thaw and then burst again, removing topsoil and chiselling away the gorge from the areas east of the Columbia. The Willamette Valley would get the topsoil (Allen, Burns, and Burns 2009). It is amazing that oral histories of this event were preserved by Native Americans for at least 15,000 years. Among the many accounts of this incident is the Wishpoosh and Coyote oral history from the Wasco people. There are stories from every tribe in the area of a flood this size. Ceremonies also incorporate the worldviews of the Indigenous people. Nee-dash, also known as the Feather Dance, is a world renewal ritual performed by the Tolowa Nation in Northern California on the winter and summer solstices. This celebration, which can go up to ten days, is intended to demonstrate the tribe's affluence. Men and women participate in the ritual as dancers, donning regalia and dancing nonstop for ten days. They get more and more jewellery every day, and their regalia shows off their affluence. The dancers' transformation into "wealthier" beings is a metaphor for the food-growing season, which is associated with the land's wealth and starts in the spring. Men and women dance in a semicircle as a leader uses a tall stamper stick to stamp out a beat and sing Native ceremonial songs on the hard-packed mud floor. Individually, in pairs, trios, or larger groups, the dancers alternately "come out" and dance, symbolising their ceremonial authority in hunting, fishing, or gathering. Usually, a group of tribal people gathers around the dance house's benches, with males on one side and women on the other. The purpose of the dances is to rejuvenate the land in order to guarantee robust seasonal fish runs, favourable hunting conditions, and abundant acorn or berry yields. The earth, the creatures, and the plants that provide food for humans are all honoured in this event. Through this ceremony, a spiritual bond is formed whereby humans are seen as an integral part of nature, tasked with caring for its abundant resources. Similar celebrations are held in most Indigenous communities, commemorating milestones like the first hunt, the first salmon catch, or the first harvest of any significant meal. A young guy carries the bones of the first fish catch of the year all the way to the bottom of the Rogue River as part of the Takelma peoples' first salmon ceremony in the Rogue River Valley of Oregon. Native Americans use these rituals as a significant means of reaffirming their commitment to protecting the environment and keeping it healthy so that future generations might continue to live there in harmony with nature.