RELG 402 - World's Living Religions
Module 14 - Native American Traditions, Rastas
Module Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to :
- Identify the people and main events associated with Native American Traditions and Rastas.
- Discuss the literature associated with Native American Traditions and Rastas.
- Describe the teachings and ethical standards of Native American Traditions and Rastas.
- Describe the world-view associated with Native American Traditions and Rastas.
- Describe the varieties of worship associated with Native American Traditions and Rastas.
Textbook Readings
- Textbook, Chapter 2, Indigenous Religions of North America
- Textbook, Rastas, pages 585-587
- Notes on Hopi traditional religion
- Notes on Navajo traditional religion
- Notes on Zuni traditional religion
- Notes on Rastas
Optional InterNet Resources
- Go here for Links to optional extra resources for Native America religions.
- Go here for Links to optional extra resources for Rastas.
- Useful articles can be found by using Search Engines such as GoodSearch
- Remember - always cite your sources
Study Questions
Before taking the Test, prepare an answer sheet for yourself by answering the following questions. Then you may use it, along with the textbook and the course notes, to answer the questions on the Test and to formulate a thread for the Discussion Board.
- According to the textbook, about how many tribal nations are recognized in the USA? What three common patterns in Native American religious traditions does the textbook mention?
- How do mythic narratives function in Native American traditions?
- What is a trickster figure, and which animal is often cast as a trickster? Who is the tricky "bad guy" of Navajo creation? Describe one bad thing that he did. - (see the course notes)
- Who are the Navajo Hero Twins? Describe one heroic act of the elder Hero Twin. - (see the course notes)
- Describe one of the Navajo "Ways" (the textbook calls them "chantways") - (see the course notes)
- What was the date for the main Pueblo Revolt, and what were some of the religious and cultural consequences for the Navajo? - (see the course notes)
- How did the Ghost Dance originate, who led the second Ghost Dance, and what were the consequences?
- What is a Kinaalda, and how is it celebrated?
- What is a Hopi kachina doll, and how is it used? Describe one of the Hopi kachina dances. - (see the course notes in addition to the textbook)
- Describe the Zuni Shalako ceremony - (see the course notes)
- What number has special significance for the Navajo, what are the sacred colors, which are the sacred mountains?
- How many "worlds" does the Navajo Creation Account describe? How and why did the people travel from one world to the next?
- Discuss the Navajo concept of Hózhó. How might Hózhó be destroyed, and how is Hózhó restored?
- What is a ha'atli, what does he do, and how does one become a ha'atli?
- What is the correct procedure when Navajos meet for the first time? Why is this?
- What happens when a Navajo dies?
- Discuss the origins of Rastas
- How is the late Emperor of Ethiopia regarded by Rastas?
- What is the Holy Book of the Rastas, and how does it differ from the Christian Bible? - (see the course notes)
- Describe the features of a Navajo sandpainting, a Hopi Kachina doll, and a Zuni Ahayuda
Prepare a set of answers for yourself, then use it to help you answer the Test and post your Thread to the Discussion Board
Discussion Board 14
Thread :
If you are a Native American, discuss what you would most like non-Native Americans to know about Native Americans.
If you are a Rasta, discuss what you would like non-Rastas to know about Rastas.
If you are neither a Native American nor a Rasta, or if you are not comfortable identifying your religious affiliation, discuss some aspect either of Native American religions or of Rastas.
Replies to 2 of your classmates' threads :
If possible, choose threads which deal with different topics.
Do you have any particular insights and/or experiences which might be helpful to the poster or to your classmates as a whole?
Test 14
Go to the Test Section of the course, and take the test at least once before 12 noon of the Monday following the Module.
You will have 1 hour to complete the test.
You may take the test three times before the cut-off time.
Questions will vary each time you take the test.
Your highest score will count towards your course grade.
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
