STATE OF THE WORLD's INDIGENOUs PEOpLEs - CINU

EMBARGOED UNTIL 14 January 2010STATE OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLESNot for distributionSpirituality is a term that requires special care in its definition. It is importantto recognize the difference between spirituality and religion. Spirituality canbe seen as an internal connection to the universe, which includes a sense ofmeaning or purpose in life, a cosmology or way of explaining one’s personaluniverse and personal moral code. Religion, on the other hand, could bedefined as a specific practice and ritual that are the external expression ofsome people’s spirituality.spirituality definesthe relationships ofindigenous peoples withtheir environment ascustodians of the land;it helps construct socialrelationships, givesmeaning, purpose andhope to lifeWhat is important here is that spirituality is the relationship to the universe.Indigenous spirituality could thus be defined as indigenous peoples’ uniquerelationship with the universe around them. 23 Put another way, spirituality definesthe relationships of indigenous peoples with their environment as custodiansof the land; it helps construct social relationships, gives meaning, purpose andhope to life. It is not separated but is an integral, infused part of the whole in theindigenous worldview. 24Religion, from the Latin religare, meaning “to bind fast”, has been defined asan institution with a recognized body of communicants who gather togetherregularly for worship and accept a set of doctrines offering some means ofrelating the individual to what is taken to be the ultimate nature of reality. 25Religion or belief systems have been a feature of cultures throughout humanhistory. Belief systems are also integral to indigenous cultures. They often codifybehavior; they also inspire and stimulate the development of artistic expressions,including different kinds of artifacts, paintings, songs, attires, music, dances,etc., used in rituals and sacred ceremonies. But foremost, they respond tohuman needs for reassurance in times of trouble and for averting misfortune;they also provide rituals that bring spiritual healing and address the majorpassages and transitions in human life. Hence, the preservation of indigenouscommunities and their cultures is tightly related to their spirituality and beliefsystems, which require that the earth, land and natural resources be preserved,and that harmonious relationships with other humans and other beings of theuniverse be maintained.Indigenous spirituality and belief systems have often been dismissed as beingmere expressions of superstitious and irrational thinking. They have in manycases been violently repressed or forbidden and are under constant assaultfrom the large, dominant religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc. In the faceof strong pressures for social, cultural and religious assimilation, indigenouspeoples have struggled hard to retain not only their lands and natural resourcesand their institutions and ways of life, but also their spirituality and beliefsystems. This struggle is on-going, although some advances have been made.These efforts are not necessarily a rejection of Western or world cultures,but rather an affirmation of their own cultures. Indigenous peoples continue23Wilson (1999).24Wilson (1999).25See Reese (1980).60 | CHAPTER II