DOCSLIB.ORG

Potential Role of Sacred Groves in the Maintenance of Biodiversity O.M

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Potential Role of Sacred Groves in the Maintenance of Biodiversity O.M Agbogidi and Benson, World J. Biol. Med. Science Volume 1 (4), 40-48, 2014 Indexed, Abstracted and Cited: ISRA Journal Impact Factor, International Impact Factor Services (IIFS), Directory of Research Journals Indexing (DRJI), International Institute of Organized Research and Scientific Indexing Services World Journal of Biology and Medical Sciences Published by Society for Advancement of Science® ISSN 2349-0063 (Online/Electronic) Volume 1, Issue- 4, 40-48, October-December, 2014 WJBMS 1/4/22/2014 All rights reserved www.sasjournals.com A Double Blind Peer Reviewed Journal [email protected] / [email protected] RESEARCH PAPER Received: 30/08/2014 Revised: 27/10/2014 Accepted: 28/10/2014 Potential Role of Sacred Groves in the Maintenance of Biodiversity O.M. Agbogidi and E.E. Benson Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria ABSTRACT Sacred groves or sacred sites are natural areas that have been protected by the local people from over-exploitation for social and religious reasons. They include the magical, defiled and fetish groves. They provide medicinal plants, act as a sort of insurance against emergencies as well as shelter for important species of animals. Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth that includes variation at all level of biological organization from genes to species to ecosystem. It ranges from species, genetic, ecosystem and functional diversity which supports the evolution of differentiation, representing all forms of plant and animal life and provides materials for modern medicines. The roles of sacred groves in biodiversity maintenance include biodiversity conservation, conservation of rare/endangered species, habitat for plants and animals, regeneration of plant species as well as water resource conservation. Challenges of sacred groves in the maintenance of biodiversity include farming and logging, weakening of traditional institutions and lack of government support. Traditional approaches of biodiversity conservation should be recognized by the policy-makers. These practices must be integrated in the policies for better management of biodiversity in consultation with the local community. KEYWORDS: Sacred Groves, Impact, Biodiversity and Conservation. INTRODUCTION have been made in Greek and Sanskrit Sacred groves are a very ancient and classics. Sacred groves have been widespread phenomenon in the old world reported from many parts of the world cultures. References about sacred groves like Mexico, Ghana, Nigeria, China, Syria Agbogidi and Benson, World J. Biol. Med. Science Volume 1 (4), 40-48, 2014 and Turkey, wherein there are areas In view of the adverse effects of where the tribal live and practice shifting biodiversity degradation, ecologists, cultivation. However, it appears that they environmentalists and conservationists are entirely unknown to the New World has made conservation of biodiversity as (Rathore and Shekhawat, 2011). Sacred an issue of global, national and regional groves were a feature of the mythological significance. Many areas have been landscape and the cult practice of Old declared as protected areas and various Europe, of the most ancient levels of in-situ and ex-situ conservation practices Germanic paganism, Greek mythology, have also been undertaken in different Slavic mythology, Roman mythology, and parts of the world. Many laws governing in Druidic practice. Sacred groves also the biodiversity conservation have also feature prominently in many Asian and been enacted from time to time. Besides African mythologies and cultures, most these formal laws, there were many notably in India, Japan, West Africa, and traditional conservation practices of Anatolia. In Syria, some sacred groves are indigenous communities in many parts of believed to have been made during the world, which contributed to the Assyrian times. The most famous sacred conservation and protection of grove in mainland Greece was the oak biodiversity. A good example of such grove at Dodona. Outside the walls of traditional practices is the conservation Athens, the site of the Academy was a and protection of small forest patches by sacred grove of olive trees, still recalled in dedicating them to the local deities by the phrase "the groves of Academe." various indigenous communities of the Since time immemorial conservation of world. Such forest patches are called natural resource has been an integral part “sacred groves” (Mgumia and Oba, 2003). of diverse cultures in different ways. The Sacred groves are the tracts of virgin traditional worship practices show the forest that were left untouched by the symbiotic relation of human beings and local inhabitants, harbour rich nature. Indigenous communities all over biodiversity, and are protected by the the world lived in harmony with the local people due to their cultural and nature and conserved its valuable religious beliefs and taboos that the biodiversity. In course of time, science and deities reside in them . technology developed and industries were established and expanded to meet the Sacred groves: their diversity and increasing demands of the people. distribution Various anthropogenic activities have Sacred groves or sacred sites are natural altered the structure and function of areas that have been protected by the different ecosystems all over the world. local people from over-exploitation for One of the most conspicuous effects of social and religious reasons. Sacred sites ecosystem perturbation has been the are established for a number of purposes. depletion of biodiversity (Luo et al., 2001). Often, they are considered to be the Disappearance of species due to habitat residence of a local deity, or contain an alteration, overexploitation, pollution, object or body of water that houses the global climate change and invasion of deity. Groves’ supportive role in species exotic species is so fast that many maintenance, different ecological valuable taxa may vanish even before functions is well recognized (Jamir and they are identified and their scientific Pandey, 2003; Chima and Nuga, 2011). It value is discovered. is believed that these sacred virgin forests 41 Agbogidi and Benson, World J. Biol. Med. Science Volume 1 (4), 40-48, 2014 date back to thousands of years when event, such as a visit by a deity, the birth human society was in the primitive state. of a unicorn, or a dryad or nymph's long- The area of sacred groves ranges from few time residence in the grove (Malhotra et square meters to several hectares. There al., 2001). exist some fascinating examples of forest ii. Defiled and cursed groves patches harbouring native vegetation, Some sacred groves tell a tragic story: which have been intertwined with various Their plants have been dug up; trees aspects of indigenous, cultural and burned or chopped down, water sources religious practices along with the fouled, or standing stones overturned and associated taboos (Khan et al., 2008). broken. Such groves have been defiled, Sacred groves present in humanized stripped of all their powers until druids landscapes are especially important in this reclaim them. Someone reads a cursed regard. They are often part of the scroll, a deity's avatar passes through, a heterogeneous landscape intermingled druid dies violently, or another highly with agricultural field, plantation, barren charged event takes place (Malhotra et land, water bodies as well as villages. al., 2001). Studies highlight that, groves support a iii. Fetish groves good number of rare and endemic Some groves are often considered to be species, which are extra-sensitive the residence of a local deity, or contain compared to common species, and persist an object or body of water that houses only in favourable niches, and the sacred the deity. Groves of this kind are groves are ideal places for them commonly referred to as fetish groves. (Jayarajan, 2004; Sukumaran and Raj, Some sites are burial grounds, or the 2007). However, there are gaps in former location of a village or the site of knowledge about these endemics, like an important event, and therefore are their population status, reproductive thought to be the domain of ancestral biology and ecology. Most studies on spirits (Malhotra et al., 2001). sacred groves have hovered around floral Uses of sacred groves and faunal diversity and maintenance of Sacred groves provide various ecosystem rare threatened and endemic species with services which include: sketchy descriptions of the ecological i. Medicinal plants are harvested profiles and disturbance regimes. Sacred from the site by religious practitioners, groves are a very ancient and widespread who may serve as the primary provider of phenomenon in the old world cultures. medical services for the community. References about sacred groves have ii. Sacred groves act as a sort of been made in Greek and Sanskrit classics. insurance against emergencies; in cases of Sacred groves have been reported from famine or other natural disasters food and many parts of the world like Mexico, materials may be collected from the grove Ghana, Nigeria, China, Syria and Turkey, to ensure survival. wherein there are areas where the tribal iii. As some of the last remnants of live and practice shifting cultivation. forest in areas that have been extensively However, it appears that they are entirely cleared, sacred groves act as sanctuaries unknown to the New World. for native flora and fauna. i. Magical sacred groves iv. They act as seed banks from which A grove may have been innately magical
Load more

Recommended publications
  • On the Present-Day Veneration of Sacred Trees in the Holy Land
    ON THE PRESENT-DAY VENERATION OF SACRED TREES IN THE HOLY LAND Amots Dafni Abstract: This article surveys the current pervasiveness of the phenomenon of sacred trees in the Holy Land, with special reference to the official attitudes of local religious leaders and the attitudes of Muslims in comparison with the Druze as well as in monotheism vs. polytheism. Field data regarding the rea- sons for the sanctification of trees and the common beliefs and rituals related to them are described, comparing the form which the phenomenon takes among different ethnic groups. In addition, I discuss the temporal and spatial changes in the magnitude of tree worship in Northern Israel, its syncretic aspects, and its future. Key words: Holy land, sacred tree, tree veneration INTRODUCTION Trees have always been regarded as the first temples of the gods, and sacred groves as their first place of worship and both were held in utmost reverence in the past (Pliny 1945: 12.2.3; Quantz 1898: 471; Porteous 1928: 190). Thus, it is not surprising that individual as well as groups of sacred trees have been a characteristic of almost every culture and religion that has existed in places where trees can grow (Philpot 1897: 4; Quantz 1898: 467; Chandran & Hughes 1997: 414). It is not uncommon to find traces of tree worship in the Middle East, as well. However, as William Robertson-Smith (1889: 187) noted, “there is no reason to think that any of the great Semitic cults developed out of tree worship”. It has already been recognized that trees are not worshipped for them- selves but for what is revealed through them, for what they imply and signify (Eliade 1958: 268; Zahan 1979: 28), and, especially, for various powers attrib- uted to them (Millar et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Changes in Beliefs and Perceptions About the Natural Environment in the Forest-Savanna Transitional Zone of Ghana: the Influence of Religion
    NOTA DI LAVORO 08.2010 Changes in Beliefs and Perceptions about the Natural Environment in the Forest-Savanna Transitional Zone of Ghana: The Influence of Religion By Paul Sarfo-Mensah, Bureau of Integrated Rural Development, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana William Oduro, Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, CANR, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana GLOBAL CHALLENGES Series Editor: Gianmarco I.P. Ottaviano Changes in Beliefs and Perceptions about the Natural Environment in the Forest-Savanna Transitional Zone of Ghana: The Influence of Religion By Paul Sarfo-Mensah, Bureau of Integrated Rural Development, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana William Oduro, Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, CANR, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana Summary The potential of traditional natural resources management for biodiversity conservation and the improvement of sustainable rural livelihoods is no longer in doubt. In sub-Saharan Africa, extensive habitat destruction, degradation, and severe depletion of wildlife, which have seriously reduced biodiversity and undermined the livelihoods of many people in rural communities, have been attributed mainly to the erosion of traditional strategies for natural resources management. In Ghana, recent studies point to an increasing disregard for traditional rules and regulations, beliefs and practices that are associated with natural resources management. Traditional natural resources management in many typically indigenous communities in Ghana derives from changes in the perceptions and attitudes of local people towards tumi, the traditional belief in super natural power suffused in nature by Onyame, the Supreme Creator Deity.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine Biomed Central
    Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine BioMed Central Research Open Access The supernatural characters and powers of sacred trees in the Holy Land Amots Dafni* Address: Institute of Evolution, the University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel Email: Amots Dafni* - [email protected] * Corresponding author Published: 25 February 2007 Received: 29 November 2006 Accepted: 25 February 2007 Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2007, 3:10 doi:10.1186/1746-4269-3-10 This article is available from: http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/3/1/10 © 2007 Dafni; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Abstract This article surveys the beliefs concerning the supernatural characteristics and powers of sacred trees in Israel; it is based on a field study as well as a survey of the literature and includes 118 interviews with Muslims and Druze. Both the Muslims and Druze in this study attribute supernatural dimensions to sacred trees which are directly related to ancient, deep-rooted pagan traditions. The Muslims attribute similar divine powers to sacred trees as they do to the graves of their saints; the graves and the trees are both considered to be the abode of the soul of a saint which is the source of their miraculous powers. Any violation of a sacred tree would be strictly punished while leaving the opportunity for atonement and forgiveness. The Druze, who believe in the transmigration of souls, have similar traditions concerning sacred trees but with a different religious background.
    [Show full text]
  • Sacred Groves of India : an Annotated Bibliography
    SACRED GROVES OF INDIA : AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY Kailash C. Malhotra Yogesh Gokhale Ketaki Das [ LOGO OF INSA & DA] INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY AND DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE Sacred Groves of India: An Annotated Bibliography Cover image: A sacred grove from Kerala. Photo: Dr. N. V. Nair © Development Alliance, New Delhi. M-170, Lower Ground Floor, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi – 110 048. Tel – 091-11-6235377 Fax – 091-11-6282373 Website: www.dev-alliance.com FOREWORD In recent years, the significance of sacred groves, patches of near natural vegetation dedicated to ancestral spirits/deities and preserved on the basis of religious beliefs, has assumed immense anthropological and ecological importance. The authors have done a commendable job in putting together 146 published works on sacred groves of India in the form of an annotated bibliography. This work, it is hoped, will be of use to policy makers, anthropologists, ecologists, Forest Departments and NGOs. This publication has been prepared on behalf of the National Committee for Scientific Committee on Problems of Environment (SCOPE). On behalf of the SCOPE National Committee, and the authors of this work, I express my sincere gratitude to the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi and Development Alliance, New Delhi for publishing this bibliography on sacred groves. August, 2001 Kailash C. Malhotra, FASc, FNA Chairman, SCOPE National Committee PREFACE In recent years, the significance of sacred groves, patches of near natural vegetation dedicated to ancestral spirits/deities and preserved on the basis of religious beliefs, has assumed immense importance from the point of view of anthropological and ecological considerations. During the last three decades a number of studies have been conducted in different parts of the country and among diverse communities covering various dimensions, in particular cultural and ecological, of the sacred groves.
    [Show full text]
  • Attitudinal Values Towards Sacred Groves, Southwest Sichuan, China
    IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON Faculty of Natural Sciences Centre of Environmental Policy ATTITUDINAL VALUES TOWARDS SACRED GROVES, SOUTHWEST SICHUAN, CHINA IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION By Lucy Garrett A report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the MSc and/or the DIC. September 2007 1 DECLARATION OF OWN WORK I declare that this thesis Attitudes and Values of Sacred Groves, Southwest Sichuan, China is entirely my own work and that where any material could be construed as the work of others, it is fully cited and referenced, and/or with appropriate acknowledgement given. Signature:..................................................................................................... Name of student: Lucy Garrett Name of supervisor: Dr E.J. Milner-Gulland AUTHORISATION TO HOLD ELECTRONIC COPY OF MSc THESIS Thesis title: Attitudes and Values of Sacred Groves, Southwest Sichuan, China Author: Lucy Garrett I hereby assign to Imperial College London, Centre of Environmental Policy the right to hold an electronic copy of the thesis identified above and any supplemental tables, illustrations, appendices or other information submitted therewith (the .thesis.) in all forms and media, effective when and if the thesis is accepted by the College. This authorisation includes the right to adapt the presentation of the thesis abstract for use in conjunction with computer systems and programs, including reproduction or publication in machine-readable form and incorporation in electronic retrieval systems. Access to the thesis will be limited to ET MSc teaching staff and students and this can be extended to other College staff and students by permission of the ET MSc Course Directors/Examiners Board. Signed: __________________________ Name printed: Lucy Garrett Date: 12 September 2007 ABSTRACT Sacred sites are found throughout the world and are important elements linking both nature and culture and emphasising that humans are intrinsically part of the ecosystem.
    [Show full text]
  • Witchcraft, Religious Transformation, and Hindu Nationalism in Rural Central India
    University of London The London School of Economics and Political Science Department of Anthropology Witchcraft, Religious Transformation, and Hindu Nationalism in Rural Central India Amit A. Desai Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2007 UMI Number: U615660 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U615660 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Abstract This thesis is an anthropological exploration of the connections between witchcraft, religious transformation, and Hindu nationalism in a village in an Adivasi (or ‘tribal’) area of eastern Maharashtra, India. It argues that the appeal of Hindu nationalism in India today cannot be understood without reference to processes of religious and social transformation that are also taking place at the local level. The thesis demonstrates how changing village composition in terms of caste, together with an increased State presence and particular view of modernity, have led to difficulties in satisfactorily curing attacks of witchcraft and magic. Consequently, many people in the village and wider area have begun to look for lasting solutions to these problems in new ways.
    [Show full text]
  • Religious Beliefs and .Environmental Protection: the Malshegu Sacred Grove in Northern Ghana
    FROM THE GROUND UP CASE STUDY NO.4 Religious Beliefs and .Environmental Protection: The Malshegu Sacred Grove in Northern Ghana Clement Dorm-Adzobu Okyeame Ampadu-Agyei Environmental Protection Council Ministry of Local Government Accra, Ghana Peter G. Veit Center for International Development and Environment World Resources Institute Washington, D.C., USA July 1991 Edited by Center for International Development and Environment World Resources Institute, USA J Published in Kenya by World Resources Institute (WRI) Center for International Development and Environment 1709 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006 USA Tel.: (1-202) 638-6300; Fax: (1-202) 638-0036 Tlx.: 64414 WRIWASH / and Acts Press African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) P.O. Box 45917. Nairobi. Kenya Tel.: (254-2) 744047. 744095 Fax: (254-2)743995 Printed by English Press Ltd. P.O. Box 30127. Nairobi. Kenya Cataloguing-in-PubJication Data Religious beliefs and environmental protection: the Malshegu sacred grove in northern Ghana/Clement Dorm-Adzobu. Okeame Ampadu-Agyei and Peter G. Veil. - Washington. DC, USA: World Resources Institute and Nairobi. Kenya: Acts Press. African Centre for Technology Studies. 1991. (World Resources Institute (WRI) and African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) From the Ground Up Case Study Series; 4) Bibliography: p. ISBN 9966-41-031-7 Series Introduction In 1987, the Center for International long term, these will promote Development and Environment ofthe World decentralized, small-scale natural resource Resources Institute, in collaboration with management policies, influence the Mrican development institutions and Clark allocation ofdevelopment resources to the University's International Development and grassroots, and foster self-reliance and Social Change Program, initiated an sustainability within the communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Contemporary Mari Belief: the Formation of Ethnic Religion
    Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics 12 (2): 79–114 DOI: 10.2478/jef-2018-0013 CONTEMPORARY MARI BELIEF: THE FORMATION OF ETHNIC RELIGION TATIANA ALYBINA PhD, Researcher Estonian National Museum Muuseumi tee 2, 60534 Tartu, Estonia e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT In this article* I describe the process of developing of Mari ethnic religion based on the tradition of animistic beliefs. I aim to consider two areas of contemporary Mari religion, the activities of the official religious organisation and the vernacular tra- dition as practiced by people in the countryside. The Mari vernacular belief system has been seen as one of the components of Mari ethnic identity. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Mari religious tradition has played a role in strengthening national identity, and so the religious organisation has been officially registered. Today there is an attempt to adapt Mari religious practices to the conditions of the religious market, in the face of which vernacular tradition seems to lose its con- nection with the ethnic worldview and rural way of life. My analysis of research material from fieldwork conducted shows the existence of belief rituals that are followed independently from the official Mari religious movement. Contemporary Mari religious tradition has two layers and can be described as a process of trans- formation from vernacular belief to ethnic religion with its religious institutions and group of experts. KEYWORDS: ethnic religion • animism • vernacular belief • Mari people • Finno- Ugric ethnology INTRODUCTION The European discourse of modern animistic religions includes the variety of New Reli- gious movements with environmentalism component and reconstructions of ‘pagan’ rituals (‘neo-paganism’).
    [Show full text]
  • A Reader in Comparative Indo-European Religion
    2018 A READER IN COMPARATIVE INDO-EUROPEAN RELIGION Ranko Matasović Zagreb 2018 © This publication is intended primarily for the use of students of the University of Zagreb. It should not be copied or otherwise reproduced without a permission from the author. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations........................................................................................................................ Foreword............................................................................................................................... PART 1: Elements of the Proto-Indo-European religion...................................................... 1. Reconstruction of PIE religious vocabulary and phraseology................................... 2. Basic Religious terminology of PIE.......................................................................... 3. Elements of PIE mythology....................................................................................... PART II: A selection of texts Hittite....................................................................................................................................... Vedic........................................................................................................................................ Iranian....................................................................................................................................... Greek.......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Roles of and Threats to Yoruba Traditional Beliefs in Wilderness Conservation in Southwest Nigeria
    Roles of and Threats to Yoruba Traditional Beliefs in Wilderness Conservation in Southwest Nigeria Fola D. Babalola Abstract—The Yoruba of southwest Nigeria are constantly conscious cultural services (Diaz and others 2005; Fischlin and others and acknowledging of God’s divine lordship over the whole earth. 2007). With a rich knowledge and practical understanding This fact keeps them aware that they ought to be careful how this about the use and conservation of animals, plants and the earth is treated. Yoruba religion and mythology is a major influ- ecosystem as a whole, traditional knowledge systems and ence in West Africa, chiefly in Nigeria, and it has given origin to associated practices, embedded in traditional cultures, have several New World religions. The Yorubas have a number of dei- become the social and technical foundations for mutual coor- ties that they believe serve as intermediaries between them and dination and sustainable development for local inhabitants the supreme god. This paper focuses on the roles of and threats to and their local environment (Xu and Liu 1995; Zhang 1995; Yoruba beliefs in wilderness conservation in southwest Nigeria. Pei 1996; Rao 1996). Sacred groves and wilderness are seen as symbols of identity for Several recent studies have drawn attention to the role all Yoruba people and probably the last in Yoruba culture. Recent of indigenous knowledge and cultural beliefs in biodiversity development resulting from urbanization and differences in the conservation (Rao 1996; Liu 2006; Louman and others 2009; beliefs of modern religions like Christians and Islam (with belief Luo and others, in press). Indigenous people in many parts in Almighty God) and Traditional religions (with belief in Deities) of the world imbue headlands, springs, trees and forests have led to reduction of wilderness.
    [Show full text]
  • The Alkai: Research in to Baltic Sacred Places
    THE ALKAI: RESEARCH IN TO BALTIC SACRED PLACES VYKINTAS VAITKEVIČIUS SUMMARY sacred place is something more than just a h ill or a stone. Usually sacred places have their names and are enwrapped in unheard-of legends and Äbeliefs. There are still believers that these places may bring happiness and health. Sacred places immortalize a contact between Nature and Culture, History of Gods and People. Therefore, sacred places should be regarded as one of the most won­ derful realia of Lithuania. This book based on the doctorate defended at the Lithuanian Institute of History in 2000 is dedicated for those who are eager to learn more about sacred places. INTRODUCTION In scientific studies the problems o f the Baltic sacred places play a rather mod­ est role, since the realia of religious culture are usually analyzed separately from sacred places. So far only a few special studies were devoted to sacred places, there­ fore most commonly their definition bases on a few written sources and their wide variety is all in all illustrated by one or two examples o f excavated monuments. Sacred places are directly related to the conception o f the Baltic and Lithuanian religion, its genesis and development. Most objects with sacral status are o f natu­ ral origin and often do not contain any remarkable remains left by rituals. After Conversion in 1387, the attempts were made to destroy ancient sacred places or to give a Christian sense to their existence. In the 19th - 20th centuries only a few sites of this type were recorded. In most cases place-names, place-legends or be­ liefs bespoke their existence, but very rarely they are recognized from a specific exterior, from finds discovered there or from episodic rituals, which people still perform there.
    [Show full text]
  • Origins of Europe's Fairies—Proto-Indo Europeans on The
    Origins of Europe’s Fairies—Proto-Indo Europeans On the Neolithic steppes of Eurasia in a primal wilderness that stretched out for thousands of miles, a wilderness in which humans could still be hunted by wolves and bears were born the seeds of most of the European languages. It was here buffeted by the cold winds of the Eurasian steppes and always on the look out for bears, wolves and other wild animals which at any moment could take ei- ther their lives or the lives of the animals on whose lives they depended for their food – that one peo- ple began to flourish. The Proto-Indo-Europeans began to find new ways to utilize animals to help them survive as they began to ride horses for the first time and use oxen to pull newly invented wag- ons in order help them herd cattle and sheep with the help of domesticated dogs. When darkness came and the wind would grow frigid these people would gather around the fires to cook, eat, and protect themselves from the cold as well as the darkness of the unknown that lay be- yond their camp as the howls of the wolves and the growls of the bears surrounded them. The Spirit of the Storm The fires glow would only help The storms rolls in bringing with it life giving rain but also winds so much for a fire does not and floods which destroy homes and sweep away loved ones. So it banish the darkness form site it is that storms are the most confusing of natural phenomenon - only pushes it away creating a needed, even desired - yet at the same time, feared.
    [Show full text]