Primal Quest for the Sacred African & Native American Religions Meso-American Religions

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for week 2 read: Chapters 2 & 3 in Invitation to World Religions Chapters 2 & 3 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions Obviously, you will not have to do each and every one of these readings below to answer the required questions, and certain questions may require additional outside research. These links provide a good cross-section of Native religious tales which evolved from oral tradition. Other sacred texts are in your reader. In Sacred Readings: Truth of a Hopi HOW THE MOCKING BIRD GAVE THE PEOPLE MANY LANGUAGES http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/hopi/toah/toah05.htm Myths of Ífè THE BEGINNING http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/ife/ife3.htm You might also consider looking at the following web articles and accompanying links for help with your essays: Follow links to articles and bibliographies African Traditional Religion http://www.studiesincomparativereligion.com/Public/articles/What_is_African_Traditional_Religion-by_Joseph_Omosade_Awolalu.aspx See other links under the Additional Resources Tab on Blackboard Answer any 3 of the following Week 2 essays: Prompts: You may use any resources at your disposal. List your sources at the end of each essay. Not all the answers to these questions are directly addressed in your text. Appropriately cite any sources if you are quoting or closely borrowing from an author’s text (physical or electronic). Suggested length is 2 or more pages per question (450 –800 words). 1. Compare and contrast various aspects of Native American and African belief systems. How are their mythologies similar? What are some of the problems inherent in the study of indigenous religion? 2. Answer any 2 questions from the Indigenous North American “Review Questions” or “For Further Reflection” questions from page 55 (2nd edition) or 57 of Invitation to World Religions. 3. Outline some of the aspects of Meso-American polytheistic belief. How might you explain the propensity for human sacrifice among the native religions of Mexico? (you might need to do some outside research here) 4. Describe one particular religious practice or element among African, Native American or Meso-American cultures. Examples might be drawn from the following list: vision quest, peyote, ancestor cults, village gods, ancestor or power figures, use of masks, Meso-American temples, burial practices, rites of passage, witches, twins in African lore, role of African kings, shamans, Meso-American gods, medicine, creation myths. 6. Answer any 2 questions from the Indigenous African “Review Questions” or “For Further Reflection” questions from page 85 (2nd edition) or 87 of Invitation to World Religions. Essays for weeks 1 through 3 are due by Monday June 21st (11:59 p.m.) You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the week 1, week 2, and week 3 essays (9 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the Assignment Submission tab within the Assignment section of the blackboard menu. Be sure to number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t forget to include your sources or bibliography. Please submit all questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or folder for each question. Number them, separate them by week and put all three weeagnks in one single attachment.