Animism
Overview: Belief that objects, such as plants and stones, or natural events, like thunderstorms and earthquakes, have a discrete spirit and conscious life. It is typically associated with the early bronze age cultures of the pre-Christian era which lacked a writing system or written history. In most parts of the world Animism blends in with formal religions. The title of the leader is a Shaman.
Geography:
- Remote sections of Souteast Asia, which includes the islands of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Also rural parts of Africa and the Amazon Basin of South America.
- 232 million followers
- 4% of the world
Diffusion: Diffused by Naitive Americans and most other religions such as Buddhism.
Universal or Ethnic: Ethnic, becuase it is practiced by small groups of people in less developed parts in Africa.
Monotheistic or Polytheistic: Polytheistic because they believe in different spirits.
Founder/Origins: Animism takes many different forms, and although the names of the Gods and practices may be different, the same themes are consistent across places that practice Animism.
Major Branches/Denominations: Naitive American, Voodoo, although they are not closely related.
Sacred Text: Oral tradition of story-telling.
Doctrine: That all natural objects and the universe itself have souls.
Calendar: No specific calendar for Animism. There is no calendar because it is not a formal religion.
Symbol: There is no symbol for Animism.
Holy Places: Outdoors in nature.
Architecture: Nature
Fun Facts:
- Each tribe has its own unique belief system that creates distinctive practices and geographies.
- Animism holds to a belief that numerous spirits excericise their powers over places where they dwell, such as mountains, streams, and rivers.