Peyotism and the Native American Church

Summary

Peyotism, the largest Native American-founded religion, uses peyote as a sacred plant in ceremonies. Originating in pre-Columbian Mexico, it spread to Texas and the Southwest in the late 19th century and then rapidly across the United States after the Ghost Dance subsided. The religion persists today among Native Americans in Northern Mexico, the United States, and Southern Canada. This bibliography guides scholars, students, and Native Americans researching Peyotism, listing books, theses, articles, government publications, and other resources to foster understanding of its history, ceremonies, and significance.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The largest religion begun, organized, and directed by and for Native Americans, Peyotism includes the use of peyote in its ceremonies. As a sacred plant of divine origin, peyote use was well established in religious rituals in pre-Columbian Mexico. Toward the end of the 19th century Peyotism spread to the Indians of Texas and the Southwest, and it spread rapidly in the United States after the subsidence of the Ghost Dance. It persists today among Native Americans in Northern Mexico, the United States, and Southern Canada. Possibly because of the controversy over peyote use, a lot has been written about the Native American Church. This bibliography provides a useful guide for scholars, students, and Native Americans who want to research Peyotism. The bibliography includes books and book chapters, master's theses, Ph.D. dissertations, magazine and journal articles, conference papers, museum publications, U.S. government publications, audiovisual materials, and World Wide Web sites. In addition, it includes selected articles from newspapers, law reviews, medical and psychiatric journals, and scientific journals that provide information on Peyotism. A valuable research guide, the bibliography will help to provide a greater understanding of the history, ceremonies, and significance of the pan-Indian religion.

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