ANTH 1150 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Christian Fundamentalism, Clifford Geertz, Allah
6 Mar 2015
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Chapter opening: there are more than 40 versions of the iroquois origin myth- but all versions portray a constant struggle between good and evil. The myth has a woman as a main character, which exemplifies the importance of women in iroquois communities (source of all life and sustenance). Iroquois cultures were divided into two independent moieties, each with its own economy, rituals, and authority. But, the rites of birth and death are shared by the whole community; a deceased individual"s moiety immediately began to grieve, while the other moiety offered condolences and organized the burial. Iroquois religion provided a solid foundation for the stability and continuity of iroquoian culture and individual existence. In the 19th century, the emergence of scientific socialism and a host of communist states in the world placed religion under some stress: religion offers social and psychological support.
