Nanabozho | TriviaQuestions.online

⭐ In the context of rock art, the earliest known examples of this art form, dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic period, suggest what primary function for its creation?

Anthropological studies of Upper Palaeolithic rock art suggest that these early artworks were likely created to fulfill spiritual needs or as part of ritualistic ceremonies, rather than for purely practical or historical purposes.

⭐ Core Definition: Nanabozho

Nanabozho (in syllabics: ᓇᓇᐳᔓ, [nɐˌnɐbʊˈʒʊ]), also known as Nanabush, is a spirit in Anishinaabe aadizookaan (traditional storytelling), particularly among the Ojibwe of North America. Nanabozho figures prominently in their storytelling, including the story of the world's creation. Nanabozho is the Ojibwe trickster figure and culture hero (these two archetypes are often combined into a single figure in First Nations mythologies, among others).

Nanabozho can take the shape of male or female animals or humans in storytelling. Most commonly it is an animal such as a raven or coyote which lives near the tribe and which is cunning enough to make capture difficult.

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👉 Nanabozho in the context of Rock art

In archaeology, rock art refers to human-made markings placed on natural surfaces, typically vertical stone surfaces. A high proportion of surviving historic and prehistoric rock art is found in caves or partly enclosed rock shelters; this type also may be called cave art or parietal art. A global phenomenon, rock art is found in many culturally diverse regions of the world. It has been produced in many contexts throughout human history. In terms of technique, the four main groups are:

cave paintings,
petroglyphs, which are carved or scratched into the rock surface,
sculpted rock reliefs, and
geoglyphs, which are formed on the ground.

The oldest known rock art dates from the Upper Palaeolithic period, having been found in Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Anthropologists studying these artworks believe that they likely had magico-religious significance.

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