II. Primitive Religion

1. Outline of the lecture

1. Religious views and rituals in the primitive society

Primitive religion- is a name given to a religion of prehistoric cultures (the cultures of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic ages)

*Religious views-

Rituals are one of the form of religious behavior in cultures. Rituals express the great transitions in human life:

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They vary in form, importance and intensity from one culture to another.

*Examples:

In addition to these life cycle rituals, rituals are associated with the beginning of the new year

and with planting and harvest times. Numerous other rituals are linked with hunting (games to give the hunter more luck)

Another class of rituals is related to occasional events (wars, draughts, catastrophes)- they are intended to appease supernatural forces who might be the cause of the events.

2. Forms of primitive religion

Fetishism (Latin- factitus_ made by art, artificial). The word was probably first applied to idols and amulets made by hand and supposed to possess magic power.

*Fetishism is: 1)

2)

3)

At times it is difficult to distinguish between an idol and an amulet. An amulet is a pledge of protection of a divine power. Idolatry is a higher form of fetishism.

3. Animism-

from “ animus” – mind or soul. Two explanations:

1) belief in spirits- supernatural beings or souls inhabit all objects and govern their existence.

2) the world is treated as a community of living persons, only some of whom are human

The second animism relates respectfully with the persons (human, rock, plant, animal, bird, etc.)

who are also members of the community of life.

Animism can be stated simply as “ everything is alive”, “ everything is conscious”, “ everything has a soul”

**Views of animism are essential part of many religions______________________________

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4. Totemism-

is a religious belief in totem. Totem is usually an animal or other figure that spiritually represents a person or a clan. It may be natural or supernatural object.(bears, birds, frogs, masks, pictograms, ancestors). Totem has a symbolic meaning. A few believe that totem acts as a spirit guide

2. Questions for test

1.Religious views of primitive societies

2. Rituals in primitive societies

3. Fetishism

4. Animism

5. Totemism

3. Glossary

Ritual- ритуал- жора

Primitive religion- первобытная религия- алғашқы дін

Transition- переходный период

Soul- душа жан

Conscious- сознательный

4. Task for office hours-Impact of primitive religions on modern religions (1, part.2)

5. Task for IWS- Magic (2, 20)

Reference

Музафарова Н.И. История религий. Ростов -на Дону, 2004., стр. 58-64

David S. Noss, A History of the World Religions. N.Y. London. 1990, p. 10-21

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Totemism

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