Algoritmos Y Diagrama De Flujo

Primal Religion

Leaving Certificate Section C World Religions

Part 1 The Phenomenon of Religion

Topic 1.2 Primal Religion

| Description of content | Outcomes |
|The nature of primal religion and its |As a result of studying this section, studentsshould be able to |
|importance for the study of religion |Present a portrait of primal religion and give an |
|The concepts and phenomena of |account of its important influence on all religion |
|Mana|Write a brief paragraph on each of the following: |
|Tabu |Mana |
|Totem |Tabu |
|Shaman|Totem |
| |Shaman |


Leaving Certificate R.E. syllabus, p35

Please note that the following article is background information only on thistopic. It in no way constitutes a sample or exemplary answer on this topic.


Mana
Not to be confused with the biblical mana/ manna in Exodus 16 which provided sustenance for the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land, mana refers to an impersonal force or quality that resides in people, animals and inanimate objects and can produce in the observer a sense of wonder or respect. Itrefers to a concept among the speakers of Oceanic languages, including Melanesians, Polynesians and Micronesians. It is sometimes understood as “the stuff of which magic is formed”, as well as the substance of which souls are made. It appears to be a precursor of formal religion. It is a well known concept in Polynesian religion and its use has been popularised in modern culture byanthropology. In Polynesian culture (e.g. Maoir and Hawaiian) mana is similar to the English concept of “respect” and is linked to authority, power and prestige. It also shares elements of “responsibility”, “balance” and “purity”. Mana is an important foundation to the Hawaiian concept of spirituality, religion, society and all of reality, thus it carries a complex meaning. It is not just people whopossess mana. To have mana is to have authority and influence, be that by persons, governments, places and inanimate objects. In Hawaiian “mana loa” means “great power” or “almighty” (whereas the word “akua” is most commonly used to refer to God). In Melanesian culture mana is perceived as a sacred impersonal force existing in the universe. Again, mana can be in people, object, animals and plants.Similar to the idea of efficacy or luck, the Melanesians believed that all success was traced back to mana. One could acquire or manipulate this luck in various ways (e.g. through magic). Certain objects that contain mana can change a person’s luck. Such objects may include charms or amulets. An example of this would be seen if a prosperous hunter used a charm that had mana and he gave it toanother person, then people believed that the prosperous hunter’s luck would transfer to the next holder of the charm. In New Zealand Maoir, mana also refers to pride. In other cultures the concept of mana has referred to the power of magic. However it was not the only principle and others included the idea of seeking the intervention of a specific supernatural being, whether deity, saint or...