essay

The role of dreams in Ojibwa culture

Contributions to anthropology : selected papers of A. Irving HallowellChicago • Published In 1976 • Pages: 449-474

By: Hallowell, A. Irving (Alfred Irving).

Abstract
In this article Hallowell discusses Ojibwa worldview (see also document no. 77) and dreaming. The Ojibwa believe that a good life, free from hunger, disease, and misfortune is dependent on the blessing of powerful 'other-than-human' persons. Ojibwa males seek this blessing in a dream fast. In one boy's dream an other-than-human person appeared to him in human form and then changed into a golden eagle. The boy then perceived himself changing into an eagle, flying off with the other eagle. In Ojibwa worldview, outward forms are unstable and only the vital core of humans and other-than-humans is constant. Hallowell argues that such dreams instill moral responsibility, self-discipline, and personal security, which are necessary for a hunting way of life.
Subjects
Sanctions
Theory of disease
Spirits and gods
Revelation and divination
Ethnopsychology
culture
Ojibwa
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
North America
Sub Region
Arctic and Subarctic
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnographer
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ; 1998
Field Date
1930-1940
Coverage Date
1930-1940
Coverage Place
Berens River, Manitoba, Canada
Notes
[A. Irving Hallowell]
Includes bibliographical references (p. 472-474)
LCCN
75020890
LCSH
Ojibwa Indians