Summary Of The Peyote Religion Among The Navaho

Aberele, David F. The Peyote Religion Among the Navaho. With field assistance by
Harvey C. Moore, and with an appendix on Navaho Population and Education by Denis F. Johnston, Aldine Publishing Company, 1966, Chicago.

David F. Aberle, with the help of established colleagues, worked together to teach the history as well as the nature of the peyote cult specifically on the Navaho community, with most data collected between 1949 to 1953. This book provides an in-depth analysis of their religion and how the peyote cactus served as a basis for their communication with God. It also served as a cure for all things bodily and psychologically ill. Aberle attempts to have the peyote cult viewed as similar religious movements that
The Peyote Cult. 5th Edition, University of Oklahoma Press, 1989, Norman and London.

Weston La Barre published his masterpiece, The Peyote Cult originally in 1938. Years later he published the second edition in 1959, the third in 1969, and the fourth in 1975. Nearly forty years after the original, seemingly dedicating his life to the study of Peyote, he published his fifth and final edition in 1989. His life endeavor was studying, analyzing, and understanding this complex, psychoactive drug.

The previous editions were completely unchanged, with the 5th edition only adding more intricate and advanced knowledge. This version contributes a more ancient historical presence of peyotism through advanced archeological study. His research displays evidence that northeastern Mexico and southwestern Texas have a heavier use of the practice of peyote than other tribes in the Southwest.
His dedication to the use of peyote studies its ancient religious and personal ceremonies through various Native American Tribes not only in the United States, but a focus on Mexico as well. Some of the main topics of his book include the biological and physiological aspects, ethnology, and the historical interpretations of peyote. It also focuses on the Native American church and other peyote
The Peyote Road, Religious Freedom and the Native American Church. Assistance of The Kerr Foundation, Inc., University of Oklahoma Press, 2010, Norman.

Focusing on the struggle of the use of peyote by the Native American Church, or the NAC, Maroukis explains the history of the restrictions of the cactus by the federal government. The Native American Church is the largest indigenous denomination currently among Native Americans. He educates on the legal altercations of American Indians to practice freedom of religion through the use and ceremony of peyote.

Through extensive research and hundreds of interviews, Maroukis defends the rights of the Native American People to practice their faith. Since before it was illegal, peyote was viewed as a threat to assimilation. He explains in depth the misunderstanding of the plant, especially the mescal bean. This book provides a history of the faith as well as its practice’s through rituals such as song and dance.

Stewart, Omer C. Peyote Religion, A History. University of Oklahoma Press, 1987, Norman and