Dream catchers are a cultural tradition for Ojibway(Chippewa) tribe of Native Americans. They believe that hanging a dream catcher above a child's head will protect them from evil spirits and nightmares when they are sleeping. Dream catchers became popular in other Indian tribes in the 1960s and 70s, and ultimately, around the world. Today, you can buy a dream catcher just about anywhere... from EBay to Amazon.com, which shows that this once cultural tradition has spread widely around the globe. I don't know if anyone else has a dream catcher, but I do. I have one hanging above my head from my bed post. My mom received one in the mail from a Native American Organization looking for donations, so I asked her if I could have it. I didn't hang it above my bed believing that it would catch my bad dreams, I hung it up because I thought it looked nice. Although dream catchers are not exactly a pseudoscience, per se, they are a supersitious cultural belief.
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ReplyDeleteI have one tattooed on my leg. I also own a medicine wheel.
ReplyDeleteI have never owned a dream catcher but I am familiar with what they are. I was never really sure what they were for until reading this blog. It is based on cultural beliefs as is alot of inventions. We may see it as superstitous but to others it is something that can cure or help people. Who am I to say I dont believe it works because if i was born to believe in something, chances are I will continue to believe it.
ReplyDeleteI think, like many things, even if something cannot be scientifically proved, if someone believes they see a difference when using something then it works for them. Just like aromatherapy, through studies it hasn't been proved, but if someone feels like they are relaxed from it, then so be it and good for them! If someone thinks the dream catcher is going to catch their nightmares, maybe it leads them to sleep peacefully reducing the chance of nightmares and in turn it works for them!
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