Tra l’erba e sotto le stelle: Luoghi del sacro tra gli Indiani del Nord America

North American native peoples, like many others in different areas of the world, regard the universe as constituted by both order and disorder. The world is animated by a life force or energy, mysterious and powerful, manifesting itself in the variety of objects and beings of the “natural”, visible world, without identifying with it. This life force penetrates all through the universe and produces the movement, growth and continuity of everything. Mankind has to try to maintain a relative balance between the visible and invisible forces that constitute the cosmos, allowing the development and increase of life forms through the performance of expressly designed sacred actions. These rituals and ceremonies contribute to the maintenance of harmonic relations between humankind and the other components of the universe. Particularly important for ceremonial activities are specific landmarks, which play a determinant role in the proper execution of ritual practices. Sacred places are parts of the territory where an interface is possible between the terrestrial dimension and the hidden spheres of the world above or the deep earth below. They are points of conjunction, allowing a communication, a passage toward the invisible. The sacred mountains are places providing a connection with the sky people, the stars, but also where caves open their mouths, giving access to the underground world, “portals” opening toward the unknown.