REVITALIZATION
MOVEMENTS
Background of Revitalization
Movements
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A culture has been severely disrupted and
decimated, often as a result of an invasion
so that the people find themselves in a state
of near powerlessness.
The population has declined radically, and
the traditional economy is no longer viable.
Classic Study
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1969 The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca
by Anthony F.C. Wallace.
Details the resurgence of the Seneca,
inspired by the prophet Handsome Lake
(1735-1815).
The catalyst for a revitalization movement
is usually a prophet who communicates a
vision received after falling into a trance.
The Message of the Prophet
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The prophet’s message usually runs along the
lines that the people’s current suffering is the
result of supernatural punishment for their
neglect of their traditional beliefs, bad aspects of
their beliefs, and immoral behavior.
They are told that if they return to their traditional
rituals (usually with new elements), then they will
be rewarded by the elimination of their oppressors
and a restoration of their fortunes.
A non-violent revitalization movement
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In the case of Handsome Lake, he promulgated
the Code of Handsome Lake.
The Code of Handsome Lake
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Give up booze.
Make witches give up their ways.
Give up charms/amulets.
Give up abortions.
Resist family breakup.
Treat children justly, avoid mistreatment.
Share children with relatives having none.
Share food.
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Look after orphans.
Don’t spread slander and gossip.
Farm and live in houses like white men.
Send select children to study in white people’s
schools.
Cooperate in farming.
Don’t steal.
Give up rituals directed at totems.
Perform dances, rituals honoring the creator.
Outcomes of Revitalization
Movements
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Sometimes revitalization movements are
predestined to collapse due to unfulfilled
expectations.
Sometimes they are accompanied by violent
insurrection, such as the caste war between
the Maya and the Mexicans in the 19 th
century and the conflicts inspired by the
Ghost Dance Religion in the US in the 19 th
century.
The Prophesies of Wovoka
When you get home you must make a dance to continue five days. Dance
four successive nights, and the last night keep up the dance until the
morning of the fifth day, when all must bathe in the river and then disperse
to their homes.
You must all do in the same way.
I, Jack Wilson, love you all, and my heart is full of gladness for the gifts
you have brought me. When you get home I shall give you a good cloud
[rain?] which will make you feel good.
I give you a good spirit and give you all good paint. I want you to come
again in three months, some from each tribe there (in the Indian Territory).
There will be a good deal of snow this year and some rain. In the fall there
will be such a rain as I have never given you before.
Grandfather (a universal title of reverence among Indians and here
meaning the messiah) says, when your friends die you must not cry.
You must not hurt anybody or do harm to anyone. You must not fight. Do
right always.
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Do not tell the white people about this. Jesus is now upon the earth. He appears like a cloud.
The dead are still alive again. I do not know when they will be here; maybe this fall or in the
spring.
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When the time comes there will be no more sickness and everyone will be young again.
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Do not refuse to work for the whites and do not make any trouble with them until you leave them.
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When the earth shakes (at the coming of the new world) do not be afraid. It will not hurt you.
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I want you to dance every six weeks. Make a feast at the dance and have food that everybody may
eat. Then bathe in the water. That is all.
You will receive good words again from me some time. Do not tell lies.
Islamic Revitalization: background
Background: Political Islam began with the
caliphate, a military theocratic empire that
began with the death of Muhammad in the 7th
century and continued until the 13th century.
The leader was the caliph or follower of
Muhammad, and was supposed to be chosen by
shura based on ability. Hence the caliphate was a
democratic meritocracy. In reality, leadership
became restricted by clan and ethnicity.
Modern Islamic revitalization
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Wahhabism or Salafism: Movement begun in
the 18th century by the preacher Muhammad
ibn abd al-Wahab. He founded a pact with the
ancestor of the Muhammad bin-Saud tribe to
spread tawhid or “Unity of God.” This
advocates a strict monotheism, and is the state
religion of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Qaeda: “The Base” Begun by Osama binLaden in 1988.
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Bin Laden and his followers are offended by
the presence of non-believers in Saudi Arabia,
which they regard as a holy soil. They are
offended by rule by the Saudi Royal Family,
and its alliances with the West. They believe in
a Jewish-Christian conspiracy to eradicate
Islam. They believe that the killing of those
regarded as apostates is sanctified, as is the
killing of non-combatants. They wish to revive
the caliphate.
The Hawaiian Renaissance
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Most commoners lost their land in the 19th
century.
Native Hawaiians today make up only 9% of
the population.
Only .1% of the population speak Hawaiian,
and is only the majority language on Ni’ihau
island (pop. 130).
Only 55% of native Hawaiians finish high
school. The have the lowest household income
of all ethnic groups.
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Efforts began in the 1970’s to revive Hawaiian
culture.
This meant reviving traditional Hawaiian
music, the hula, sports (surfing, canoeing, and
seafaring), and crafts. Efforts were also made
to revive the Hawaiian language.
Some aspects of traditional Hawaiian religion
were revived, especially expressing reverence
for sacred places.
Ka-ulu-a-Paoa Heiau – Kaua’i Dedicated to Laka
Ha’aklamanu Sulphur
Banks, The Big Island
Worshippers on
Mana Loa
Hawaiian sovereignty and selfdetermination
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Another strain of the Hawaiian renaissance is
the sovereignty movement.
Groups like the Hawaiian Kingdom
Government seek to restore Hawaiian
independence, the monarchy, and return land
ceded in the 19th century to Hawaiians.
Attitudes towards tourism and
development
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Despite the fact that tourism generates 40% of
the state’s income, Hawaiians of the
renaissance movements are generally hostile
towards tourism and development.
They are especially active in protecting the
environment as an outgrowth of their religious
concepts about the land.
Demonstration on Molaka’i
protests GMO: a’ole GMO!
The life of the
land is
perpetuated
in
rightousness!
Kamahameha
III