Although Paleo-Indians migrated to North and South America over many centuries, there are religious similarities that demonstrate a common mythos.
Throughout history, the most common theme in the development of individual societies has been the creation of a cultural mythos. Often referred to as creation stories, these constructs formed the basis of early civilization, and throughout intervening centuries grew and developed into religious practices. There is as much diversity in Native American religious practices as there is with the various tribes themselves. However, while possessing such diversity, there is also a lot that is similar in these belief structures. For instance, most native religious practices recognize the symbiotic relationship between man and nature. Moreover, these beliefs embraced a creator spirit, or spirits, the personification of which was usually an animal. Yet another common them in early native religion was a faith in the wisdom of ancestors as a guiding force in the life of the tribe. These beliefs evolved throughout the centuries and developed into practices unique to specific regional tribal groups as a result of mass migration, personal interpretation, environmental changes, and contact with other tribes. By the time of European exploration, the continent of North America possessed a theologically diverse population.
To fully understand the similarities, as well as the differences, in Native American religions it is important to understand that Native Americans were never a homogeneous population to begin with. Long before their ancestors crossed into North America, prehistoric Indians (or Paleo-Indians in this context) had begun to diverge on a linguistic and social level. Although there is much contention over the specifics of Paleo-Indian migration into North America, archeological evidence (particularly radio carbon dating) suggests that these prehistoric nomads emigrated from Siberia during the final stages of the last Ice Age—with the first of many migrations beginning roughly 35,000 to 30,000 years ago (although this estimate has been heavily debated, with many arguing for a later time frame of 13,000 to 12,000 years ago). At this time in history, much of the earth’s water was frozen in large glacial fields—the result of which was a great draining of the sea that separated Asia and North America. A land bridge, often referred to as Beringia, was opened up and throughout the next several thousand years nomadic bands emigrated to North America. There is evidence to suggest that these early nomads were already demonstrating different language and cultural practices before their mass migration. It is true that they did not come all at once; and subsequent climate changes, animal migrations, and other environmental factors greatly contributed to the direction and development of their individual societies. Cultural drift and the development of diverse social and linguistic practices was the result.
As Paleo-Indian societies spread throughout North and South America, they developed their own means of surviving in their environment. Some remained nomadic tribes while others flourished into the city states of Mesoamerica. However, throughout their migrations and despite the divergent path that these early societies took, they each possessed a belief structure that was based on ancient mythology with common traits. Animals represent the basis of nearly all native religions, possibly due to the numerous species encountered by the Paleo-Indians as they migrated across the continent. These creatures were large and roamed the plains at the same time as the nomadic bands. It is therefore understandable that these early settlers would eventually develop a mythology that incorporated nature and natural phenomenon.
David M. Jones and Brian L Molyneaux, Mythology of the American Nations. (London: Hermes House, 2001).
Gilbert Legay, Atlas of Indians. (Hauppage: Barron’s Educational Services, Inc., 1995)
Geoffrey Parker, Compact History of the World. (New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 2001).
Carl Waldman, Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. (New York: Checkmark Books, 2006)
Carl Waldman, Atlas of the North American Indian. (New York: Checkmark Book, 2000).
