The resurgence of indigenous sacred ways and cultural traditions

Religion

Sacred Ways

Indigenous sacred ways seem to resurging recently because of many factors. First, there is an interest in many indigenous people to explore their roots and understand their culture and past. As they explore their culture, they learn more about their sacred ways, and many decide to follow them to honor the sacred ways and the traditions they represent. For example, two decades ago, few people knew or understood what Kwanzaa was, and now, it is commonplace and many more African-Americans are celebrating the holidays with Kwanzaa traditions. It is a link back to their past, and their heritage, and so, they feel more in touch with their past by reviving sacred traditions and beliefs. It is the same with many other indigenous people. When times are troubled and there are threats of terrorism, natural disasters, and world unrest, people tend to look toward their faith to make sense of it all. If they question their faith, or find it lacking, they will turn to other outlets for their fears and worries. Indigenous people are looking for answers just like everyone else, and as they explore their own sacred ways, they may find something there that helps them make sense out of senseless acts.

In addition, many religious groups are reviving their sacred ways because the westernized Christian religions do not meet their needs or desires. Many indigenous people feel left out or ignored in western religions, and so, they turn to their indigenous sacred ways because they conform to their belief systems and their values better than religions that were founded on European principles and beliefs. Many people, as they explore their pasts, find that their sacred ways seem to speak to them in a way that other organized religions may not.