After Life Belieft for American Indian

Is there a possibility that a person's soul remains alive even if death consumed the body? Is there a way for the living to help the departed find their way to their new world? These are only some of the questions that people ask when it comes to afterlife beliefs and American Indian culture is only one of the many that holds some answers.

American Indian cultures greatly touch on after life belief. According to such culture and tradition, a person bears two souls. One of them is "free," meaning that it can be independent from the actual body and can live even after death. The other, which is referred to as the vital soul, is the one that helps the body breathes and moves. This particular soul could never survive death. Therefore, it is lost when a person dies. When it comes to Native American cultures, the world of the dead is described differently. Some say it is like a "happy hunting ground," while others liken it to the gloomy and dark world of Hades.

Shamans, or also known as healers, are instrumental in helping the dead continue their journey. It is believed that the spirits of the dead need to take a journey towards their new home. However, not all spirits are keen to move on. Some prefer to stay in the world of the living and be with their friends and family. If this happens and these spirits started bothering the living, a shaman will be called to talk to the spirits and guide them on their journey.

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