RLGA02H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Soul Doctor, Medicine Man
Document Summary
Few concepts shared by all human cultures related to religion: powerful gods, sacred places, a life of some kind after death, the presence in the physical world of spirits that interact with humans in various ways. The world consisting of three levels: sky, earth, and underworld. Sky: considered the home of the greater deities. Earth: the intermediate level where humans lived. Underworld: the spirits of serpents or reptilian monsters; thought to be evil. High places: ppl gathered at these sites to win the favour of the deities by offering them food, drink, praise, and prayer. Human tendency to attribute spirits to animals, either individually or as members of a family with a kind of collective guardian spirit. Shaman: a kind of priest; aka medicine man, soul doctor, and witchdoctor. A person who acts as an intermediary b/w humans and the spirit world. Coping with unfriendly spirits: spirits taken the form of monsters or mythical beasts.
