Anthropology - Supernatural System & Art

Question 0

Animism

Answer 0

Belief that people have souls or spirits in addition to physical, visible bodies.

Question 1

Religion

Answer 1

A set of beliefs in supernatural forces that functions to provide meaning, peace of mind and a sense of control over unexplainable phenomena.

Question 2

Polytheism

Answer 2

The belief in the existence of many gods.

Question 3

Monotheism

Answer 3

The belief in only one god.

Question 4

Animatism

Answer 4

Belief in a generalized, impersonal power over which people have some measure of control.

Question 5

Mana

Answer 5

An impersonal supernatural force, inhabiting certain people or things, which is believed to confer power, strength & success.

Question 6

Imitative Magic

Answer 6

A form of magic based on the idea that the procedure resembles the desired result, such as that sticking a doll-like image with pins will harm the person the doll represents.

Question 7

Contagious Magic

Answer 7

A form of magic based on the premise that things, once in contact with a person (such as a lock of hair), continue to influence that person after separation.

Question 8

Magic

Answer 8

A system of supernatural beliefs that involves the manipulation of supernatural forces for the purpose of intervening in a wide range of human activities and natural events.

Question 9

Witchcraft

Answer 9

An inborn, involuntary, and often unconscious capacity to cause harm to other people.

Question 10

The performance of certain magical rites for the purpose of harming other people.

Answer 10

Sorcery

Question 11

Covens

Answer 11

Local groups of witches found in major cities in the US, which are presided over by a high priestesses.

Question 12

Satanists

Answer 12

Individuals belonging to a group of people who worship Satan.

Question 13

Myths

Answer 13

Stories that transmit culturally meaningful messages about the universe, the natural and supernatural worlds and a person’s place within them.

Question 14

Cult

Answer 14

Used in the early anthropological literature, in a non-judgmental way, to refer to a religious group with its own set of beliefs, practices and rituals. In popular discourse, however, it is a pejorative term referring to an antisocial group of religious extremists whose goal is mass suicide.

Question 15

Cosmology

Answer 15

world view

Question 16

Myth

Answer 16

About historical persons that had a vision or one on one encounter with the supernatural.

Question 17

Axis Mundi

Answer 17

a place between the natural and supernatural world

Question 18

Theophany

Answer 18

the actual encounter between a human or group of humans with the supernatural world

Question 19

Why don’t anthropologists use the term “claim”?

Answer 19

It is not there job to prove or disprove what occurred. Instead they are focused on how the experience(s) affected the person(s) behaviors.

Question 20

2 Supernatural forms

Answer 20

Protagonist or antagonist

ex. God / Satan

Question 21

The teaching of a protagonist super natural force is focused on _________.

Answer 21

How to act ideally in role/relationships of people.

Question 22

Rama & Sita

Answer 22

Sita is abducted by a demonic figure and Rama has to save her. He is worried that after being incarcerated too long that Sita has been influenced by the demonic figure. She is banished until she can prove she is not negatively influenced.

They are used as the example of the perfect married couple.

Question 23

Mahabharata

Answer 23

The throne in India is usurped by an evil cousin. Arjuna backs the rightful king, but declares he cannot fight against his own family. Krishna (a manifestation of Vishnu) is the charioteer for Arjuna and tells him that he must fight as it is his role/duty to do so.

Question 24

7 Characteristics of Myth

Answer 24

1. Myth recounts the relationship between humans and supernatural forces and/or beings.
2. Protagonist/Antagonist & the ideal values & principles: Myth recounts the struggle between good and evil as portrayed by supernatural beings. Protagonist reflects ideal behavior, antagonist reflects deviant behavior.
3. Use of symbols: objects found in the natural world take on symbolic meaning.
4. Restricted code: the story and symbols in the story are used in a form of restricted code that only the members in full fellowship can understand which helps to differentiate believers/members from non-believers/non-members
5. Foundation for a specific belief system: myths become the foundation reflecting the fundamental values of the believing group and create a strong sense of pleasure amid the stress and chaos of the natural world
6. Passed down from generation to generation through socialization which helps to maintain the perpetuity of the group
7. Dramatization or Reenactment in ritual or ceremony

Question 25

What is the relationship between myth & ritual?

Answer 25

Myths are reenacted in a ritual or ceremony

Question 26

Ritual

Answer 26

the reenactment of the myth

Question 27

Dramatization of myth takes place in what three distinct forms?

Answer 27

.

Question 28

Divisions of Axis Mundi

Answer 28

Domain- Domus Ecclesia -
a sense of order & hierarchy - you can see the separation of the officials and lay members
the deity does not dwell, but is invited to attend, usually via prayer

Domus Dei -
Deity dwells & invites humans to attend (Only people that meet the moral standards of the organization are allowed in)
There is a strong sense of equality

The dramatization of the story takes place in the axis mundi.

Question 29

Myth of Eternal return

Answer 29

How to get back into the presence of deity - the place where deity dwells, a place of order, harmony, security and comfort

Question 30

Heroes Journey

Answer 30

Human called by deity to sacrifice live to lead humanity back the dwelling place of deity

Question 31

Cosomogonic myth

Answer 31

story of creation of earth and humanity

Question 32

4 types of Magic

Answer 32

pure, contagious, imitative and witchcraft

Question 33

Magic

Answer 33

the manipulation of supernatural spirits

Question 34

Hierophany

Answer 34

The place where the theophany takes place.

Question 35

3 forms that rituals take

Answer 35

Magic
Shamanism
Religion