“Animism
What is “animism” (a word anthropologists and historians use)?
5.) What special freedoms and powers did Indian women have (that was not true for European women of the 1500’s and 1600’s)?
6.) What was the legal term “coverture” which applied to English women?
Sample Solution
Animism is a religious belief system that holds that all objects, both animate and inanimate, have a soul or spirit. This belief is often found in traditional cultures around the world, and it is often associated with the belief in the power of magic and spirits.Full Answer Section
In anthropology, animism is often used to describe the religious beliefs of indigenous peoples. However, it is important to note that animism is not a single, monolithic belief system. There are many different variations of animism, and each variation is unique to the specific culture or group of people that practices it. What special freedoms and powers did Indian women have (that was not true for European women of the 1500’s and 1600’s)? Indian women had a number of special freedoms and powers that were not true for European women of the 1500s and 1600s. For example, Indian women could own property, inherit land, and divorce their husbands. They also had a great deal of power in the political and religious spheres. Some of the specific freedoms and powers that Indian women had include:- The right to own property: Indian women could own land, homes, and other property in their own name. This was not the case for European women, who typically had to rely on their husbands for financial support.
- The right to inherit land: Indian women could inherit land from their parents or other relatives. This was also not the case for European women, who typically did not have the right to inherit land.
- The right to divorce: Indian women could divorce their husbands for a variety of reasons, including adultery, abuse, or incompatibility. This was not the case for European women, who typically had to have their husbands' permission to divorce.
- Power in the political sphere: In some Indian societies, women were allowed to hold political office. For example, in the Iroquois Confederacy, women had a say in who was elected to the council of chiefs.
- Power in the religious sphere: In many Indian societies, women played an important role in religious life. For example, in the Navajo tribe, women were responsible for weaving sacred rugs and attending to the needs of the gods.