The Inuit believed in animism: all living and non-living things had a spirit.
That included people, animals, inanimate objects, and forces of nature.
When a spirit died, it continued living in a different world- the spirit world.
The only people who had enough power to control the spirits were the powerful religious leaders called the Shamans or 'Angakoks'. Shamans used charms and dances as a means to communicate with the spirit world.
Shamans also wore carved masks-mostly representing animals- while performing their rituals. It was believed that masks had powers that enabled them to communicate with the spirits.
To appease the spirits the Shamans would make recommendations. They would suggest offering gifts to the spirits, moving away, and sometimes would fine the person for breaking the rules and angering the spirits.Shamans (angakoks) performed many of their healing rituals in ceremonial houses called 'Kashims'.
Kashims were sometimes partially buried in the ground, and only the Shaman knew where the entrance was
(http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com)
When a spirit died, it continued living in a different world- the spirit world.
The only people who had enough power to control the spirits were the powerful religious leaders called the Shamans or 'Angakoks'. Shamans used charms and dances as a means to communicate with the spirit world.
Shamans also wore carved masks-mostly representing animals- while performing their rituals. It was believed that masks had powers that enabled them to communicate with the spirits.
To appease the spirits the Shamans would make recommendations. They would suggest offering gifts to the spirits, moving away, and sometimes would fine the person for breaking the rules and angering the spirits.Shamans (angakoks) performed many of their healing rituals in ceremonial houses called 'Kashims'.
Kashims were sometimes partially buried in the ground, and only the Shaman knew where the entrance was
(http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com)
GRANDMOTHER MOON
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon,
who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and
she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure
time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth.
With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon,
who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and
she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure
time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth.
With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one
Water is considered living and must be respected.
Once upon a Time serves to remind us how precious our water is. This is A tribute to the Mount Polley Mine disaster August 2014. Please take a moment and watch and feel as you pay tribute to the water. Miigwetch.
THE WATERS
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms, waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water. Now our minds are one.
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms, waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water. Now our minds are one.