How Does Religion Play a Role in Indian Art?

Cooperating With Spirits

Many Native Americans believe that we are surrounded by invisible but powerful spirits. In dreams, vision quests and experiences when deathly ill, Native Americans often communicate with these spirits on a very personal level. These spirits often say that they have taken pity on the individual and will help him if the person uses certain symbols, songs or dances. Many Native American legends tell of divine spirits giving important gifts like crops and game animals to peoples who honor the spirits by using certain symbols, songs and dances.

Mythological Figures

Deities, folk heroes and monsters from myth can all be found in songs, dances, utensils, blankets, carved pipes, sand paintings and other forms of artwork in all Native American tribes. The spiritual world is not considered any different from the secular one, so any object they had, including their own bodies, could be made to resemble a spirit or monster. Keeping these images alive was a way to not only make the spirits happy, but to remember their legends. Most Native American tribes did not have a written alphabet, so pictures, songs and art were ways of communicating. Navajo sand paintings were used only with healing ceremonies, because the images and the myth had healing power all by themselves.

Imitation for Transformation

By looking like a spirit or animal, or even holding a little sculpture of a spirit, it is hoped that the Native American would somehow take on the characteristics of that animal. For example, if you wanted to find medicinal herbs, you often took on the symbols or even the skin of a bear, as bears were thought to have the power to find medicine.

Resources

• The American Indian: The Spirit World
• The American Indian: Keepers of the Totem
• Native American Spirituality