REVITALIZATION MOVEMENTS

Background of Revitalization Movements A culture has been severely disrupted

and decimated, often as a result of an invasion so that the people find themselves in a state of near powerlessness.

The population has declined radically, and the traditional economy is no longer viable.

Classic Study

1969 The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca by Anthony F.C. Wallace.

Details the resurgence of the Seneca, inspired by the prophet Handsome Lake (1735-1815).

The catalyst for a revitalization movement is usually a prophet who communicates a vision received after falling into a trance.

The Message of the Prophet The prophet’s message usually runs along the

lines that the people’s current suffering is the result of supernatural punishment for their neglect of their traditional beliefs, bad aspects of their beliefs, and immoral behavior.

They are told that if they return to their traditional rituals (usually with new elements), then they will be rewarded by the elimination of their oppressors and a restoration of their fortunes.

A non-violent revitalization movement

In the case of Handsome Lake, he promulgated the Code of Handsome Lake.

The Code of Handsome Lake Give up booze. Make witches give up their ways. Give up charms/amulets. Give up abortions. Resist family breakup. Treat children justly, avoid mistreatment. Share children with relatives having none. Share food.

Look after orphans. Don’t spread slander and gossip. Farm and live in houses like white men. Send select children to study in white

people’s schools. Cooperate in farming. Don’t steal. Give up rituals directed at totems. Perform dances, rituals honoring the

creator.

Outcomes of Revitalization Movements Sometimes revitalization movements are

predestined to collapse due to unfulfilled expectations.

Sometimes they are accompanied by violent insurrection, such as the caste war between the Maya and the Mexicans in the 19th century and the conflicts inspired by the Ghost Dance Religion in the US in the 19th century.

The Prophesies of Wovoka

When you get home you must make a dance to continue five days. Dance four successive nights, and the last night keep up the dance until the morning of the fifth day, when all must bathe in the river and then disperse to their homes.

You must all do in the same way.

I, Jack Wilson, love you all, and my heart is full of gladness for the gifts you have brought me. When you get home I shall give you a good cloud [rain?] which will make you feel good.

I give you a good spirit and give you all good paint. I want you to come again in three months, some from each tribe there (in the Indian Territory).

There will be a good deal of snow this year and some rain. In the fall there will be such a rain as I have never given you before.

Grandfather (a universal title of reverence among Indians and here meaning the messiah) says, when your friends die you must not cry.

You must not hurt anybody or do harm to anyone. You must not fight. Do right always.

Do not tell the white people about this. Jesus is now upon the earth. He appears like a cloud.

The dead are still alive again. I do not know when they will be here; maybe this fall or in the spring.

When the time comes there will be no more sickness and everyone will be young again.

Do not refuse to work for the whites and do not make any trouble with them until you leave them.

When the earth shakes (at the coming of the new world) do not be afraid. It will not hurt you.

I want you to dance every six weeks. Make a feast at the dance and have food that everybody may eat. Then bathe in the water. That is all.

You will receive good words again from me some time. Do not tell lies.

Islamic Revitalization: background

Background: Political Islam began with the caliphate, a military theocratic empire that began with the death of Muhammad in the 7th century and continued until the 13th century.

The leader was the caliph or follower of Muhammad, and was supposed to be chosen by shura based on ability. Hence the caliphate was a democratic meritocracy. In reality, leadership became restricted by clan and ethnicity.

Modern Islamic revitalization Wahhabism or Salafism: Movement begun in

the 18th century by the preacher Muhammad ibn abd al-Wahab. He founded a pact with the ancestor of the Muhammad bin-Saud tribe to spread tawhid or “Unity of God.” This advocates a strict monotheism, and is the state religion of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Qaeda: “The Base” Begun by Osama bin-Laden in 1988.

Bin Laden and his followers are offended by the presence of non-believers in Saudi Arabia, which they regard as a holy soil. They are offended by rule by the Saudi Royal Family, and its alliances with the West. They believe in a Jewish-Christian conspiracy to eradicate Islam. They believe that the killing of those regarded as apostates is sanctified, as is the killing of non-combatants. They wish to revive the caliphate.

The Hawaiian Renaissance

Most commoners lost their land in the 19th century.

Native Hawaiians today make up only 9% of the population.

Only .1% of the population speak Hawaiian, and is only the majority language on Ni’ihau island (pop. 130).

Only 55% of native Hawaiians finish high school. The have the lowest household income of all ethnic groups.

Efforts began in the 1970’s to revive Hawaiian culture.

This meant reviving traditional Hawaiian music, the hula, sports (surfing, canoeing, and seafaring), and crafts. Efforts were also made to revive the Hawaiian language.

Some aspects of traditional Hawaiian religion were revived, especially expressing reverence for sacred places.

Ka-ulu-a-Paoa Heiau – Kaua’i Dedicated to Laka

Ha’aklamanu Sulphur Banks, The Big Island

Worshippers on Mana Loa

Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination Another strain of the Hawaiian

renaissance is the sovereignty movement.

Groups like the Hawaiian Kingdom Government seek to restore Hawaiian independence, the monarchy, and return land ceded in the 19th century to Hawaiians.

Attitudes towards tourism and development

Despite the fact that tourism generates 40% of the state’s income, Hawaiians of the renaissance movements are generally hostile towards tourism and development.

They are especially active in protecting the environment as an outgrowth of their religious concepts about the land.

Demonstration on Molaka’i protests GMO: a’ole GMO!

The life of the land is perpetuated in rightousness!

Kamahameha III