The Introduction to Original Visions

By: Carly Le Blanc

9/10/07

When I was reading the introduction to Original Visions: The Religions of Oral Peoples by Carmody and Carmody, I was reminded of middle school during the “Recent Oral Peoples” section. I remember that during middle school and into the early years of high school, I noticed all the different images girls went through. One I found to be significant was the “gothic,” “banger,” or “Wiccan” image. These girls were really into dream interpretation and Wiccan beliefs. Primal cultures lack science as a discipline so dreams were sources of great significance. Probably because of the tough period of puberty that girls experience causes them to search for meaning. This is based on the general human need to make sense of their surroundings. From this same idea, Carmody and Carmody discuss the common primal notion that “As everything comes from a single source, and everything has being, all is kin to human beings.” I had always imagined primal cultures as people constantly battling the forces of nature just to survive; that their lives were strenuous. After I read that quote however, I thought about all the advantages that a primal belief system brings to a society. The statement, “Even frightening beings have a valid status” shows what a comfort this belief system could bring to a person. Prescription drug use has dramatically increased recently, especially in the area of anti-anxietal medications, it there was a valid reason for everything I’m sure this would not be the case. The situation in the Middle East and the devastation of our rainforests prove that we do not place being into our surroundings. What if our culture had maintained the belief that all things have being, that everything is alive? I understand this can never be possible with technology but it is nice to imagine….