Native American Worldviews
Subtitle: An Introduction
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: May 2003
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 293
ISBN-13: 9781591020516
Subjects: Indigenous peoples; Rites and ceremonies; Native American; Native American Anthropology; Native Americans - History; History; Ethnic Issues; Philosophy; USA; Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies; Indian cosmology; Indian philosophy; Indians of North America; North America
First sentence: Whenever I teach the course Native American Worldviews, I am asked "What do you mean by the term worldview?"
Description: "In this survey of Native American worldviews, philosopher of religion Jerry H. Gill emphasizes the value and broad contours of Native American belief systems. He presents an integrated view to serve as an introduction to ways of life and perspectives on the world far different from those of the dominant Euro-American culture." "Drawing on the scholarship of anthropologists and specialists in American Indian Studies, Gill brings together much original research in broad, accessible chapters. He explores Native American origin stories, the special connotations given to spatial concepts such as the cardinal directions and the circle, the influence of the seasons and the cycles of life on different cultures, and clan and kinship systems. Separate chapters are devoted the key ceremonies and customs as well as to concepts of health, harmony, virtues, wisdom, and beauty."--BOOK JACKET.