Primitive Religions part-1 and 2
There are many tribal people all over the world and they have an unchangeable existence from very distant past. But with the influence of modern society, some primitive societies have changed. However, still there are some primitive societies which are not yet influenced by the modern society. The religious beliefs of tribal people are generally recognized as primitive religions. Primitive religions are the basis of world religions. The term 'world religions' implies the religious beliefs of modern men, such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism. All such popular religions are based on primitive religions. Therefore, we cannot discriminate or condemn any primitive religion though one may have such thoughts by considering the word “primitive”.
Basic characteristics of primitive religions (1) Primitive religions are oral or verbal, because primitive people have no written or recorded texts. Therefore, primitive religions are also recognized as oral traditions or oral religions.
(2) Primitive religions are mostly limited to one language and one nation.
(3) The main focus of primitive religion is worldly-life and matters of the present life.
(4) Primitive religions provide all seeds of world religions.[1]
(5) Religious life and social life of primitive people are interrelated in an inseparable way.
As examples of primitive religions, following religions can be identified:
(1) Aborigine religion of Australia
(2) Religion of Wedda (Sinhalese aborigines) in Sri lanka
(3) Zulu religion in South Africa
(4) Inca religion in North America
(5) Red Indians' religion in America
(6) Eskimos' religion
Primitive Religions part-2 Primitive religions have some very important religious concepts within them. Basically, following religious concepts can be identified as primitive religions:
(1) Nature worship
(2) Concept of 'mana' - The concept of mana implies that there is a sacred power which is spread all over the universe. But mana is not representing a person, but it is an impersonal natural power. This belief leads primitive people to worship nature.
(3) Ancestor worship
(4) Animism
(5) Totemism - The English term 'totem' is derived from the word 'ototemen', which is found in North American Ojibwa tribes. Ojibwa people used this concept to represent the blood relationship between brother and sister. These tribal people used this concept to keep together members of their family. Oxford dictionary defines the term 'totem' as follows: “Totem is an animal or a natural object that is chosen and respected as a symbol of a tribe or family, especially among native Americans.”
[1] This is only a theory. There is no proof to believe this kind of Darwinian theory. It simply says, that religions are made by men and thus there is no divinity or higher truth in them.
Basic characteristics of primitive religions (1) Primitive religions are oral or verbal, because primitive people have no written or recorded texts. Therefore, primitive religions are also recognized as oral traditions or oral religions.
(2) Primitive religions are mostly limited to one language and one nation.
(3) The main focus of primitive religion is worldly-life and matters of the present life.
(4) Primitive religions provide all seeds of world religions.[1]
(5) Religious life and social life of primitive people are interrelated in an inseparable way.
As examples of primitive religions, following religions can be identified:
(1) Aborigine religion of Australia
(2) Religion of Wedda (Sinhalese aborigines) in Sri lanka
(3) Zulu religion in South Africa
(4) Inca religion in North America
(5) Red Indians' religion in America
(6) Eskimos' religion
Primitive Religions part-2 Primitive religions have some very important religious concepts within them. Basically, following religious concepts can be identified as primitive religions:
(1) Nature worship
(2) Concept of 'mana' - The concept of mana implies that there is a sacred power which is spread all over the universe. But mana is not representing a person, but it is an impersonal natural power. This belief leads primitive people to worship nature.
(3) Ancestor worship
(4) Animism
(5) Totemism - The English term 'totem' is derived from the word 'ototemen', which is found in North American Ojibwa tribes. Ojibwa people used this concept to represent the blood relationship between brother and sister. These tribal people used this concept to keep together members of their family. Oxford dictionary defines the term 'totem' as follows: “Totem is an animal or a natural object that is chosen and respected as a symbol of a tribe or family, especially among native Americans.”
[1] This is only a theory. There is no proof to believe this kind of Darwinian theory. It simply says, that religions are made by men and thus there is no divinity or higher truth in them.
