ANTH 1150 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Polytheism, Cave Painting
4 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Religion: a set of rituals, rationalized by myth, that mobilizes supernatural powers to achieve or prevent transformations of state in people and nature. Gods and goddesses: polytheism: belief in several gods and/or goddesses (as contrasted with monotheism belief in one god), pantheon: a collection of gods and goddesses. Animism: a belief in spirit beings thought to animate nature. Animatism: a belief that the world is animated by impersonal supernatural powers. Myth: a sacred narrative explaining how the world came to be in its present form. Shaman/medicine person: a part-time religious specialist who has unique power acquired through his or her initiative; such individuals are thought to possess exceptional abilities for dealing with supernatural beings and powers. Rites of intensification: religious rituals enacted during a group"s real or potential crisis. Imitative magic: magic based on the principle that like produces like.
