What Are Some Details About the Seneca Indian Religion?
Quick Answer
The Seneca people have several traditional religious beliefs and practices. There is a belief in an "Earth Holder" and other natural elements and forces. Historically, the people held festivals to honor strawberries and maple sap. They also held a celebration in the winter to give thanks and practice forgiveness. People believed that illness was the result of spiritual influences, and shamans used as many as 200 herbs to treat and heal sick people.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
In contemporary times, many Seneca people follow the Longhouse Religion, Catholicism and other Christian denominations. The Longhouse Religion started as a religious movement called "The Code of Handsome Lake." Handsome Lake is the name of a Seneca prophet who started the religion in 1799. The religion combines some traditional Iroquois beliefs with elements of Quakerism and Christianity.
Preachers in the religion recite the revelation of Handsome Lake twice per year. The full recitation takes three mornings. This occurs before sunrise. The preacher stands at a fireplace and sings a Sun Song for good weather. During the recitation, congregants sit on benches, and women cover their heads with shawls.
The atmosphere resembles a Christian revival meeting. The emotional atmosphere becomes contagious and moves people to publicly declare allegiance to the religion.
Learn more about ReligionRelated Questions
-
Q:
What Is the Difference Between Culture and Society?
A: Culture refers to the traits of a population’s behavior, values, practices, beliefs and religion, while society is the environment or community that surrou... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is Some Historical Information About the Seneca Indians?
A: The Seneca people were an indigenous group of Native Americans who first historically lived in what is now New York state and southern Ontario. They were t... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Do Scientologists Believe?
A: The official Scientology website identifies three core beliefs of the organization: man is an immortal spiritual being, man's experience extends beyond a s... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Are the Basic Doctrines and Beliefs of the Methodist Church?
A: The basic doctrines and beliefs of the Methodist church are to use logic and reason in interpreting questions of faith, to engage in missionary work and ot... Full Answer >Filed Under:
You May Also Like
-
Q:
Which Religions Believe in Reincarnation?
-
Q:
What Are Some Details Behind the Derma Wand Scam?
-
Q:
What Is Biblical Tithing?
-
Q:
How Do You Contact Kenneth Copeland Ministries?
-
Q:
How Is the Priestly Version Different From the Yahwist Version of the Creation Story?
-
Q:
What Are Some Things That Most Religions Have in Common?
