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Questions and Answers
How did animism differ from the divided world cosmology prevalent in religions like Christianity?
How did animism differ from the divided world cosmology prevalent in religions like Christianity?
- Animism, unlike divided world cosmologies, lacked a concept of competition between different belief systems.
- Animism emphasized a strict separation between the human and spirit realms, while divided world cosmologies blurred these lines.
- Animism drew sharper boundaries between human, spirit, and animal realms, opposing the integrated view of divided world cosmologies.
- Animism lacked the more defined boundaries between the natural and supernatural, unlike the divided world cosmology. (correct)
What role did violence play within the animistic worldview, particularly concerning the relationship between life and death?
What role did violence play within the animistic worldview, particularly concerning the relationship between life and death?
- Violence disrupted the order, leading to the ending of life.
- Violence was minimized in favor of peaceful interactions, reflecting a harmonious view of the universe.
- Violence held no significance within the animistic worldview.
- Violence facilitated transitions within the life cycle, reflecting a continuous process of renewal and transformation. (correct)
How did the Mexica's understanding of time differ from a linear perspective?
How did the Mexica's understanding of time differ from a linear perspective?
- They conceived time as repetitive, marked by cycles; the bundle of 52 years. (correct)
- They viewed time as a straight line from past to future.
- Linear framework; beginning, middle, end.
- They didn't think of time.
What was the significance of the 'new bundle' in the Mexica's worldview?
What was the significance of the 'new bundle' in the Mexica's worldview?
What does Tim Gold suggest about the relationship between humans and the world?
What does Tim Gold suggest about the relationship between humans and the world?
How did the concept of 'original sin' in Christianity contrast with the animistic worldview?
How did the concept of 'original sin' in Christianity contrast with the animistic worldview?
In the context of the Toltecs' dominion, what was the significance of guarding the valley of Mexico from nomads?
In the context of the Toltecs' dominion, what was the significance of guarding the valley of Mexico from nomads?
Paganism is described as:
Paganism is described as:
What was Edward Tyler’s contribution to the understanding of animism?
What was Edward Tyler’s contribution to the understanding of animism?
In the Mexica migrating story, what object guides them?
In the Mexica migrating story, what object guides them?
Flashcards
Animism
Animism
The cosmology that shaped Native American beliefs in the 1500s, emphasizing interconnectedness.
Divided World Cosmology
Divided World Cosmology
Belief systems that sharply distinguish between human, spirit, and animal realms.
Bundle of 52 years
Bundle of 52 years
A cycle of 52 years, representing time's circular nature in animistic beliefs.
Hummingbird God
Hummingbird God
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Cerro Coatepec
Cerro Coatepec
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Porous Boundaries
Porous Boundaries
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Being part of the world
Being part of the world
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Divided World Cosmologies
Divided World Cosmologies
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Paganism
Paganism
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Study Notes
- Animism is the cosmology that shaped Native American beliefs in the 1500s
- Animism differs from divided world cosmology by having less sharp boundaries between the human, spirit, and animal realms
- Animism used to be a universal cosmology but partly disappeared because of competition from rival cosmologies
Story of Animism
- The story begins in Tula, during the dominion of the Toltecs, who guarded the valley of Mexico from nomads in the Northern Marchland
- Migrant people (nomads) were sent to attack the valley of Mexico
- Different migratory groups left the Toltecs and went to the valleys of Mexico to escape famine
- The Mexica understood that a new bundle would begin after the last bundle (which lasted 200 years)
- They would perform fire ceremonies
- They were led by a god, not a human, called the Hummingbird God
- An inanimate object, a bag filled with herbs, was considered a sacred object
- The Hummingbird God guided the Mexica
- Serpent Mountain (Cerro Coatepec) was considered Mother Earth
Animism Details
- The story depends on an almost seamless border between the spirit realm and the animal realm
- Time is viewed as circular instead of linear, with bundles of 52 years
- Animism does not favor peace and is more comfortable with violence and bloodletting
- There is a relationship between birth and death, procreation, and the ending of life
- The world is constantly refolding before you
- The world is constantly emerging and coming into existence
- The Mexica did not think of themselves as practicing animism
- Animism is a scholarly concept with a history dating back to the 19th century, created by Edward Tyler
- Tim Gold took away the negative connotations of animism
- Tim Gold removed the western approach to Animism
- Quote: "You are not walking on the world, you are walking in the world"
- Being part of the world instead of separate from the world
- The boundary between spirits, animals, and humans is very porous
- The boundary is not felt
Divided World Cosmologies
- Examples include the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
- These faiths divide heaven from earth and the supernatural from the natural realm
- They separate matter from spirits
- In Christian tradition, Adam and Eve are separate from God
- The Garden of Eden depicts animals under humans
- The picture of Adam and God shows space between them
- The separation seems like it could be because of the "original sin"
- Divided World Cosmologies challenge the idea of animism
- There are boundaries in these cosmologies
Paganism
- Paganism is an animistic remnant in all belief systems
- Paganism is often characterized by animistic beliefs
- Cave paintings are an example of Paganism
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