ANTH 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Ultimate Power, Apotheosis
Document Summary
A named spirit who is believed to have created or control some aspect of the world. Gods understood as the creator of the world and as the ultimate power in it are present in only about half societies. Religions may be polytheistic (many gods) or monotheistic (one god: trickster spirit. Trickster spirit come in many guises but their key characteristic is that they are interested in their own benefit not that of human beings. Some tricksters, such as the christian devil, as personifications of evil. They often combine attributes such as greed, lust etc: mana. Mana is religious power or energy that is concentrated in individuals or objects. Mana gives one spiritual power, but it can also be dangerous. Belief in mana is often associated with an elaborate system of taboos or prohibitions: addressing the supernatural. Separation- individuals are removed from their community or status.
