Inside a Circle: The Structure of the Cosmos among the Plains Indians

Comba, Enrico

doi:10.33356/temenos.6167

Cited by 2 publications

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“…The most general structure of the cosmos among Amerindians can be described as a three-layered model: uppermost the sky, the earth in the middle and the underworld below. The earth was considered as mother of all things and patron of everything which grows out of the ground, of food and drink (Comba 1987: pp. 10,11) [23].…”

Section: Parallel Themes In Prehistoric Rock Art and In Amerindian Comentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The earth was considered as mother of all things and patron of everything which grows out of the ground, of food and drink (Comba 1987: pp. 10,11) [23]. According to the Cheyenne world description, to the realm of the deep earth belong the sacred caves (maheonoxsz), where human seekers of knowledge may be received and instructed by powerful spirits, such as it is described in many mythological narratives.…”

Section: Parallel Themes In Prehistoric Rock Art and In Amerindian Comentioning

confidence: 99%

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Amerindian Cosmologies and European Prehistoric Cave Art: Reasons for and Usefulness of a Comparison

Comba

2013

Arts

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Several anthropological studies conducted in recent years among different Native American cultures have revealed a series of common features in ontological premises and cosmological frameworks. These features seem to be shared by most of the Native peoples in both North and South America. They include: a system of relationships between humans and non-human beings based on an ontology "of persons" as contrasted to the ontology "of things" typical of the Western attitude towards Nature; a structure of the cosmos made by superposed layers, which express the idea of a reality represented as comprising hidden dimensions and invisible domains; and the key role played by ecstatic practitioners in establishing relationships with and acquiring knowledge from these multiple dimensions of the universe. Here, the idea is suggested that these elements could be profitably utilized to interpret the meaning of Paleolithic cave art, not simply implying a series of typological likenesses, but suggesting the possibility of historic (pre-historic) links. It should be remembered that the main settlement of the Americas occurred in a period (from 30,000-20,000 years B.P.) which is contemporaneous with the creation of the masterworks in the caves of France and Spain.

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Section: Parallel Themes In Prehistoric Rock Art and In Amerindian Comentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Parallel Themes In Prehistoric Rock Art and In Amerindian Comentioning

confidence: 99%