Millenarian Movements

Latin American millenarian movements, rooted in the Christian expectation of Jesus’ thousand-year kingdom, creatively integrated Catholic folklore and apocalyptics with indigenous concepts of dualism and cyclic regeneration. Hopes for spiritual revitalization in indigenous communities, religious renewal among peasant groups, and ecclesiastical autonomy among dissident parties inspired rebellion when the colonial and post-colonial governments created intolerable social and religious conditions for disenfranchised peoples. This chapter analyzes religious movements whose regional expressions dramatized their beliefs in the returning priest-king among the Maya, visions of the Virgin Mary in Mexico, the restoration of Inca rule among Andeans, and a triumphant messianic kingship for Brazilians.

Spiritual Revitalization of Indian Cities through Heritage Conservation

The aim and objective of heritage conservation with revitalization under Article 1, UNESCO Constitution is “To contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms”. Revitalization refers to bring back the essence of tangible and intangible aspects which has been diminishing on the urge of modernism. Through intervention of conservation techniques such as restoration, adaptation, preservation, reconstruction etc. the above aspect can be achieved efficiently. Conservation and revitalization of old Indian cities and its historic values have so far given low priority in urban development policies. There are 35 (27 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed) World Heritage Sites in India that are recognized by the UNESCO as of July 2016. Eagerness for the taste of development, the Indian cities are losing their architectural and historical assets. Thus, revitalization and conservation have to come in action to celebrate reputable past of our historic areas and to upgrade its way towards life. Various heritage sites are in dilapidated condition which are not being utilized or conserved in an effective manner Indian cities are going through a vibrant phase of urban renaissance; the study methodology of this research is based on continuous and organic approach of revitalization by amalgamating community and policy development followed by analysis of physical and spiritual attributes of the city. Research and study approach concludes with considerations for area revitalization approaches which maintain the typical urban tissue, essential qualities of the historic areas, life of the communities residing there and can also adapt the physical structures and activities to some of the present day requirements. In terms of intangibility, it is stressed to be seen as part of regaining the spiritual identity by suitable conservation approach, sustainability and revitalization will work effectively if they are unified into new concept of development.

Traditional Indigenous Approaches to Healing and the modern welfare of Traditional Knowledge, Spirituality and Lands: A critical reflection on practices and policies taken from the Canadian Indigenous Example

Traditional Indigenous Approaches to Healing and the modern welfare of Traditional Knowledge, Spirituality and Lands: A critical reflection on practices and policies taken from the Canadian Indigenous Example In order for traditional knowledge to be maintained and to develop, it has to be practiced. Traditional healing provides a vehicle for this to occur. In Canada, the spiritual revitalization of Indigenous communities and individuals often involves the use numerous components of traditional healing. These elements are reflected most clearly at the grassroots level, however, current Indigenous programs delivered by Indigenous and governmental agencies have made some accommodating efforts as well. Perhaps most importantly, traditional knowledge and Indigenous spirituality hinges on the maintenance and renewal of relationships to the land. Indigenous land bases and the environment as a whole remain vitally important to the practice of traditional healing. A focus on Indigenous healing, when discussing Indigenous knowledge systems and spirituality, is paramount today due to the large scale suppression of Indigenous cultural expressions during the process of colonization. With respect to policy, there appears to be a historical progression of perception or attitude towards Indigenous traditional healing in Canada from one of disfavour to one favour. There are nevertheless continuing challenges for traditional healing. Mainstream perceptions and subsequent policy implementations sometimes still reflect attitudes that were formulated during the decline of traditional healing practice during colonization processes. As a consequence the ability for particular communities to maintain and use their specific understandings of Indigenous knowledge continues encounter obstacles. Indigenous Knowledge systems are living entities and not relics of the past. Today, these knowledge systems are still greatly being applied to help Indigenous communities and Indigenous people recover from intergenerational pain and suffering endured during the colonization process. Future policy development and implementation should aim to support Indigenous peoples and communities when they decide to learn about, maintain and build upon the knowledge amassed by their ancestors.