The Ogibwas are aware that human help is not always enough and that at times, the people need to resort to sacred beings to solve their problems. They have created various ways of interacting with these beings or "grandparents", who are considered to be very present in the ojibwa culture.
One of the ways to get in direct contact with grandparents is to visit the refuge of adivining, also known as the “trembling tent”. The store itself is a barrel-shaped post structure, which has a height of two meters. It is put outdoors and covered with canvas, leather or beetroot bark.
Activities such as guessing or hand games are carried out in the interior with the aim of identifying the causes of a disease or finding a lost object. The prestidigitator enters the tabernacle at night and calls the beings who are his pawaganak or guardian spirits.
He can invoke the souls of living beings (not human beings) and of the dead, whose arrival is evident when the spirits embodying the winds shake the tent. Sometimes, the prestigitator is tied with ropes and there are no human acts at stake.
Spiritual voices often mention their own names or sing; they may be animals or well-known mythological characters.
In some cases, the present may speak directly to the beings and ask them to answer their questions at that time.
Native American Cultures: Myths and magic
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This book challenges deep-seated stereotypes and offers an enriching perspective that contributes to a more comprehensive and respectful appreciation of the indigenous peoples of North America. Through an understanding of their myths and beliefs, we are taking an important step toward cultural reconciliation and the recognition of the diversity that has enriched the history of this continent.
These mythical stories, many of them linked to the literary genre of fantasy, reveal a world where the divine and the human intertwine in narratives that explain the cosmic order, creation, and the fundamental structure of the universe. Discover how these sacred tales bear witness to the deep connection of the natives with nature and spirituality.
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