14 August 2023hoangthu btvlitaA Glimpse into the ‘Nature-Worshipping’ Life of Indigenous Peoples Over 100 Years Ago: A Set of Historic Photos
The Indians are the indigenous peoples who lived in the United States thousands or even millions of years ago. They are nomadic people who are said to have come from Asia more than 12,000 years ago, through the “bridge” in the land of present-day Alaska. According to statistics at the beginning of the twentieth century, there were about 80 different Indian tribes living throughout the United States.
Many scholars estimate that by the time European explorers discovered the American continent, over 50 million indigenous people were living there.
Among them, about 10 million people lived in the land that was later named the United States. Those were the first Indian tribes. After centuries of living in small tribes, the Indians have formed their community, they live by hunter-gatherers and live in harmony with nature.
Native American culture has a history dating back hundreds of years and was developed with nature. Every element of Indian life is based on the development of the Earth.
The Indian tribes worshiped the spirits of animals as gods. However, they still kill them for food and clothing. They will never waste any part of the animals, they eat meat, use fur for clothing, and use skin as drums and bones to make tools and weapons.
The Indians believe that the spirits of animals will live forever with the souls of the tribe. They carve the animal face “totem” on the log to represent the soul of a family member or important figure in the tribe.
In Native American culture, it is believed that each person carries the soul of a certain animal. When they die, their souls will live in that animal.
Living by hunting and gathering alone, the Indians have great respect for nature. They consider nature a gift from God and always think that it is necessary to respect and appreciate nature.
Their lives often revolve around family. They live a harmonious, peaceful life carefully, minimizing waste in the environment.
The peaceful life of the Indians ended when European explorers led by Columbus discovered this “new land”. These “explorers” drove the natives out of their homes and occupied the land to build many new urban areas.Many bloody wars have occurred, but as a result, the living area of the Indian tribes is increasingly shrinking, many tribes have even disappeared.
After years of struggle, the US government finally realized the importance of the Indian tribes. Many museums are set up and the education system also teaches the history of Native American tribes as a way to pay respect to these indigenous peoples.
Today, some Indian tribes still inhabit certain parts of the United States. Although the number is not much, the Indians still carry on their pride in the origin and vitality of their tribe.