Supernatural Beings

The more southern tribes used to have supernatural beliefs in every creature. Because of this, people were constantly surrounded by supernatural creatures that could be perceived in front of those who walked through the extensive jungles or issued strange sounds to indicate their presence.

A common belief was that man was useless to his environment unless he counted on the help of the magical power of some special being.

Spirits have the capacity to dwell in all things that have social or economic value. You can communicate with them through fasting, mental concentration, self-mutilation and even torture, as well as through sacrifices and offerings, prayers and spells, amulets and fetishes.

Heroes, gods and higher beings

Most Native Americans have a supreme God or Spirit. In the indigenous peoples of Arizona and New Mexico, the term Awonawilo-na (El-that-all-contains) is used; for Oldahoma's pawnee, Tirawa (Heaven's Arc), for British Columbia coastal salisch, Sagalie Tyee, for Canada's northeastern algonquins, Gitchi Manitú, and for Utah's pahutes, the twin brothers Tobats and Shinob.

The everyday affairs of the world are usually in the hands of other gods after the death of these supreme gods.

The stars are figures of heroes looking in the sky. For example, thunderstorms, winds and storms can take human form and can also take animal form. The Thunderbird produces the sound of the thunderbirds and storms the storm by winginging its wings as it flies through the sky. The Lightning of the Throne Bird has a spiritual power that must be avoided or revered.

Heroes who overcome seemingly impossible challenges can be half-gods or ordinary mortals who must face certain trials, such as going to the heavenly world or descending to the land of the dead to rescue a dead young woman. In mythical times, the half-gods cleansed the earth from the primitive monsters.

The Sacred Pipe and the Wakan Tanka

The traditional image of the way of life of Native Americans has been transmitted by the peoples of the plains to the world. They lived in typical communities or shops and depended on major hunting, mainly on the huge herds of buffaloes crossing the extensive meadows from Canada to southern Texas. This way of life flourished in the two centuries following the introduction of the horse by the Spaniards, around 1600, but ended in the 19th century with the arrival of European settlers to the west and the intensive hunting of buffaloes.

Because several peoples, such as the Cheyen, migrated from the east under the pressure of the early European settlers, some myths of the plains resemble those of the forested regions. The belief in a Great Spirit, remote and omnipotent, which receives various names, such as Wakan Tanka among the Lakotas and Tirawa among the Pawnees, is widespread, as in the forests. The Sun, the Moon, the Morning Star, the Wind, and the Thunderbird are some of the elemental deities that convey their abilities.

The mythology of the plains reflects the nature of a landscape without irregularities and dominated by the vastness of the sky. Dancing in honor of the sun was a way to recognize the power of this star, and the Morning Star, which is represented by a young man spreading life on earth, is impatient.

Many myths tell of the human ancestors' encounters with the spirits who conveyed them essential information for hunting and survival, and some explain the origin of important ceremonial objects, such as the "medicine bags" and sacred pipes. In addition, there are many stories about evil and deceptive characters, such as the Old Coyote or the Spider (Inktomi) in the Lakota culture.

Yuukipi

The yuwipi, the healing ceremony of the lackeys, is carried out for specific diagnostic purposes and requires full adherence to ritual forms. Participants, for example, avoid all kinds of contamination, especially contact with menstruating women. They must be prepared and prepared, as any mistake can lead to the failure of the ceremony.

First, blankets and blankets are placed on the windows to prevent light from entering. Helpers wrap the sacred object in a canvas or blanket. In the midst of darkness, spirits appear as rays of light, as if eagles were flying through the room, and those who participate can hear the sound of their wings or perceive their cheeks rubbing.

They assign these spirits to make the ceremony a success. If the yuwipi is wellined, the sacred person sees a vision that reveals the cause or origin of a patient's illness and indicates the appropriate treatment. During the yuwipi, sacred beings who have very clear and intense visions are highly respected.