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Find out moreWhat is Animism?
Animism is the term used to catogorize the plethora of very localized traditional religions found throughout the world. Animist beliefs date back many hundreds of years.
Animism is the belief that all things have souls, and that all events are affected by supernatural powers. Animists strive to manipulate these powers in such a way that they are beneficial rather than harmful to humans.
Animist religions include Voudon, or Voodo (pejorative), in Haiti, Senteria in the Carribean, Candomble and Umbanda in Africa and Macumba in Brazil.
Animists live in a world dominated by a complex interpleay of spiritual powers- those of the creator or creators(gods), the destroyers (demons), the forces of nature, the deceased (the anscestors), and the living (healers or witches). The manipulation of such powers, through magic, is subject to strict rules, including rituals, sacrifices and trance.
Ancestors and Nature Spirits
Ancestor worship takes place on a large scale in Africa and Latin America. Animists believe that when people die their life force (soul) leaves their body, joining the invisible world of the Ancestors. Ancestors are highly respected. If they do not get sufficient attention, the ancestors protest-for instance, by ceasing to protect their relatives on earth.
The invisible world is populated by nature spirits as well: spirits of the wind, the rain, the forest, the animals, and the earth. Animists seek to avoid conflict with these powers and therefore, are careful to preserve harmony among them.
Animism in Plan program countries
Animism is widespread in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Despite having been blanketed by the more recently arrived religions of Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism, Animism has survived through the ages. In fact, many seemingly incongruous practices from the "old" Animistic religions are today prevalent among the newer faiths. Indeed, various aspects of thew old and the new religions overlay and interact with each other, serving together to explain and give meaning to life.
Animist Holidays and Festivals
Below are just a few of the holidays observed by some of the traditional religions of the world.
The yam Festival: (West Africa) August
Named after the most common food in many African countries. Yams, the first crop to be harvested, are offered to gods and ancestors first before distribution to the villagers. This is there way of giving thanks to the spirits.
Habye: (Togo) November (variable date)
At the beginning of time humans struggled with Death, stuffed him into a pot and threw him off o mountain. This festival reenacts the event.
Alacita: (Bolivia) January 24
A Three day celebration honoring Ekeko, the Aymara god of prosperity.