The Religion of the Indians of California

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kroeber, A. L. (Alfred Louis), 1876-1960.

Series:

University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology, Vol. 4, No. 6

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Religion of the Indians of California" by A. L. Kroeber is a scholarly publication on the ethnological and religious practices of California's indigenous peoples, written during the early 20th century. This scientific account explores the animistic beliefs, shamanistic practices, and ceremonial observances that characterized the spiritual life of various tribes within the region. The book aims to document and analyze the diverse religious customs and beliefs that reflect the cultural uniqueness of the California Indians. Kroeber meticulously divides the religious practices into three main categories: customary observances by individuals, shamanistic practices, and communal ceremonies. He highlights rituals surrounding death, birth, and puberty, emphasizing the significant societal role of shamans and the varying degrees of ritual significance across different cultural areas. The work also touches upon mythology, revealing a rich tapestry of creation stories and spiritual beliefs that illustrate the interconnectedness of the people with the natural and supernatural worlds. Kroeber's thorough investigation not only sheds light on the practices of these tribes but also underscores the broader anthropological contexts of their belief systems. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Tor Martin Kristiansen, Joseph Cooper and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

Notes:

Reading ease score: 45.6 (College-level). Difficult to read.

Release date is 2011-04-01