Comments on: Perspectivism

By: doug highfield

doug highfield — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:03:00 +0000

as i understand it, the lakota phrase,”mitake oyasin” or “all my relations”, is talking about this “personhood” that exists in all things.
according to the lakota shaman, matt lee, who practices a 400-year old tradition, everything is alive, “the rocks are the oldest of all, our grandfathers”, and, everything is sacred. he speaks of the different animal nations in the same way as he would nations of people. entering the sweat lodge, you say “mitake oyasin” and kiss the earth, as you crawl in at the low doorway.

By: Steve Beyer

Steve Beyer — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:54:00 +0000

I think you are absolutely right about indigenous peoples in general ascribing personhood to plants, animals, stones, and stars; take a look at my post here. It is less clear to me how extensively -- if at all -- perspectivism, as discussed here, is found outside the Amazon. I would be grateful for any further information. Thanks for your comment!

By: Shamanism Researcher

Shamanism Researcher — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Native Americans and other indigenous peoples, from my research and experience, also ascribe plants and animals a “consciousness” and intentionality. Although they are not as explicit perhaps. Interesting take on the jaguar/shaman shape-shifting.