Native American Tradition


Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Pantheon, Gods and Goddesses
  3. Various flavours of the Tradition
  4. Other sites and pages relating to NA Trad
  5. Appending A: Common terms and definitions


1. Overview

The Native American Traditions are a series of ancient practices handed down generation after generation of the Native American people (eg. Cherokee, Apache, etc etc). Since the coming of the 'White Men', and the mass conversion into Christianity (to be 'saved'), some of the younger ones have left their inheritance behind.. but the rites are still practiced today.

Today, many have gone to the Elders of the tribes for knowledge.. some genuine followers, others only for knowledge to exploit for monentary reasons (as some NA people have mentioned, the infamous Dreamcatcher which is now widely available all over the shop counters. Not to say they're all bad btw!).

Like a blade that cuts both ways, commercialism does have a way of bringing the interest out into the public and more than ever, NA traditions have been recognised. There are more and more 'white men' (not discriminating against the black, or orange or blue, or pink people out there };>.. just a generic term };>) coming to the NA people.. some of them determined to preserve their traditions.

2. Pantheons, Gods, Goddesses

There is a diverse group of people who practice the Tradition. There are no 'strict' Gods/Goddesses being worshipped (tho most believe in the "Great Spirit"). I do not claim full and comprehensive knowledge over their operation, but it is known that Animals (and Totems) have a direct influence in the life of the practitioners.

Amongst the more traditional totems are:

Wolf
The Wolf is often viewed as the 'teacher'
I'll add more to the list when I get the time to write it down

3. Various flavours of the Tradition

Each tribe has their own variation to the way the Tradition is practiced.

Differences will be tagged in here

4. Other sites and pages relating to NA Tradition

Cherokee
others tagged in here

Appendix A: Common terms and definitions

There are many terms that pertain to the NA Tradition. This is but a 'short summary' version of the definitions and cannot be regarded as the "exact" definition (tho it'd be enough to use it without insult)
Dreamcatcher
The Dreamcatcher, is both a charm and a religious tool. Sold mainly as a 'dream filter' against bad dreams, most don't understand how it works (like the webs of a spider, trapping the bad dreams).
Elders
The Elders are the 'Wise Ones' and/or leaders. They tend to be the most respected ones in any tribe.
Totems
Totems are semi equivalent to (Christian) Guardian angels, or Guiding Spirit except mainly in (spiritual) animal forms.

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Author: Alvin Sim / Elfy/Satyr@IRC(Undernet#wicca/OzNet#wiccanway/DalNet#wicca) / elflord@yoyo.cc.monash. edu.au