Ancient religious beliefs of North American indians

Indigenous Americans or North American Indians are the inhabitants in the US and Canada of the North American continent. In English, they are referred to by such names as Indians, American Indians, Native Americans, First Nations, and Indigenous People. In Turkish, they are known as "Kızılderililer", "Amerikan Yerlileri", "Kuzey Amerika Yerlileri". In the thesis they will occasionally be referred to as Native Americans, sometimes Indians, or just indigenous people. But for these people, which consist of hundreds of tribes that are religious, geographically and culturally different, these statements are an umbrella conceptualization. Mostly the names of the tribes will be used when the differences are intended. The main purpose of the study is to identify the North American Indians' ancient religious beliefs. In the first part of thesis, the origins of North American Indians and three basic belief planes will be explained. The concepts of animism, totemism, and shamanism will be discussed in the theoretical in the context and then practical applications in the life of the Indians. The second chapter is devoted to the folk beliefs of the Indians. The elements of the earthbound world, the Indian pantheon and the rituals of beliefs and practices will be told with examples from different tribes and some legends. Examples of the most common ceremonies that were frequently practiced in the past will be given also in this section. Potlatch practice, which is often carried out with ceremonies, will be discussed under the title of worship. In the third chapter, American Indians' major myths about the creation of the universe and human beings will be examined, who have no written histories and who carry their beliefs and traditions to the present day. In addition, examples of faith-themed Native American proverbs will be given that used in everyday life.