Principal Beliefs
· Myths and legends
· Deities
· Polytheistic:
- 360 different names, 20 appear more than once
- Several Gods for different purposes
- E.g. Matrona (Mother of Earth).
Male Gods= war, oratory, youthful savior
Female Goddesses= earth and fertility, springs, lands, tree fruits
· Transcendent
· Divinity lives side by side with people, always presents and therefore deserves respect
· Several layers to reality, crossover (by gods and animals) possible
- Ordinary world
- Other world: either dead live well, warriors live to fight again, OR, dark somber and dangerous
· No difference between humans and animals
· Animals can be allegories (mediums) of human soul
· Theory of prophecy
· Shape shifting – wisdom, magic, bravery, valor – effect outcome
· Immortality
· Prohibitions and taboos
· Deities
· Polytheistic:
- 360 different names, 20 appear more than once
- Several Gods for different purposes
- E.g. Matrona (Mother of Earth).
Male Gods= war, oratory, youthful savior
Female Goddesses= earth and fertility, springs, lands, tree fruits
· Transcendent
· Divinity lives side by side with people, always presents and therefore deserves respect
· Several layers to reality, crossover (by gods and animals) possible
- Ordinary world
- Other world: either dead live well, warriors live to fight again, OR, dark somber and dangerous
· No difference between humans and animals
· Animals can be allegories (mediums) of human soul
· Theory of prophecy
· Shape shifting – wisdom, magic, bravery, valor – effect outcome
· Immortality
· Prohibitions and taboos