• Population: UNKNOWN

• Location: Many traditional societies throughout the world– Particularly Africa and the Americas – (southeast Asia too)

ANIMISM

• Traditional African people developed belief systems that helped them understand and organize information about their world.

• Developed throughout many parts of the world throughout the course of history

ANIMISM

Places of Worship

Rituals take place

outdoors in nature

Beliefs Belief in a supreme

being with lesser spirits and gods

Everything in nature has a soul Ex.) plants, animals,

natural forces, rocks, people…everything!!

Ancestor worship: Believe the souls of

the dead can have an impact on daily life

GOOD OR BAD!!!

Religious Leaders

Shaman

Medicine man or woman

Conducts ceremonies

Religious Leaders

Diviners: Served as

interpreters

Job was to explain misfortune

Religious Leaders

Healers Helped families

become aware of problems, along with providing remedies

Shintoism

Current Population

2.8 Million

Location

Mostly Japan

Origins

Developed around 500 BC in the Japanese archipelago

No one founder- Evolved from

tribal religions with similar views and beliefs

Above: Izanami-no-Mikoto and Izanagi-no-Mikoto (Shinto Creators)

Places of worship Shrines are

resurrected in places of natural beauty or areas of historical importance

YASUKUNI SHRINETOKYO, JAPAN

Beliefs

Shinto= “way of the gods”

Worship kami (spirits) found in living and non living things Controls natural

forces such as typhoons and earthquakes

Beliefs Continued

Carry a deep respect for nature

Reverence for ancestors Ancestor

worship

Famous Writings

Kokiji- Record of Ancient Matters

Nikong- Chronicles of Japan

Religious leaders

The emperor of Japan was considered a descendent of the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu) who created the islands of Japan

Note: Emperor Hirohito renounced divinity and political authority after WWII