Historical Background
Indigenous religion is practiced all over the world, from Asia to Europe to Africa to the rain forest of South America and to here in our home country. The religious practices of indigenous religions is passed down through stories and word of mouth rather than written text. But what are common to notice in each indigenous religion are the characteristics that live in their stories and customs. But it should be noticed that each indigenous religion was created in isolation so there are differences in the creation and origin story along with their core beliefs.
Up until the twentieth century most scholars have only focused on religions that have written text other than on those that have been orally transmitted stories. This lack of attention was due to having the ease of studying written literature other than traveling and exploring other religions.
Indigenous religions have created many permanent monuments such as the Mayan Pyramid in Yucatan, Mexico. But native religions are also expressed through dance, masks, wood sculpture, tattoos, arts and forms of story and chant. Recently many scholars are viewing this expression of religion as a form of language.
We also have to be aware that indigenous religions have sometimes blended with dominant traditional religions. An example, Mayan religions live in Catholicism of Guatemala, Mexico or the belief in nature of gods in Buddhism of Myanmar. This overlap has made the existence of indigenous religions less obvious, but it allows indigenous religions to continue to exist.
Up until the twentieth century most scholars have only focused on religions that have written text other than on those that have been orally transmitted stories. This lack of attention was due to having the ease of studying written literature other than traveling and exploring other religions.
Indigenous religions have created many permanent monuments such as the Mayan Pyramid in Yucatan, Mexico. But native religions are also expressed through dance, masks, wood sculpture, tattoos, arts and forms of story and chant. Recently many scholars are viewing this expression of religion as a form of language.
We also have to be aware that indigenous religions have sometimes blended with dominant traditional religions. An example, Mayan religions live in Catholicism of Guatemala, Mexico or the belief in nature of gods in Buddhism of Myanmar. This overlap has made the existence of indigenous religions less obvious, but it allows indigenous religions to continue to exist.