• 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