give the men a heroic status. Religion The traditional religions of Micronesia were extremely heterogeneous. However, very little is known about most of them, as the islands were evangelized very early (from the 16th to 18th centuries) so that the indigenous religions could only survive on a few islands. However, some important manifestations of religious practice and thought can be identified for the entire Micronesian cultural space: Similar creation myths (origin of people from mythical ancestors - mostly ancestral mothers) Culture heroes (mythical seafarers as bearers of important cultural goods) Mythical worldviews (land and sea areas in different "layers" and cardinal points) Dualistic concepts (every material thing and every living being has a spiritual double) Free souls, which can leave the body in a dream Mana (transcendent power that can be transferred to people, but also to natural phenomena, through performance and deeds, among other things) Religiously motivated art styles (carvings on traditional meeting houses and religious facilities) The traditional Micronesian religions emphasized ancestor worship and embraced spirits and ghosts. After death, one's spirit would either pass on to an afterworld or stay on the island to either help or harm the living. A natural death would produce a benevolent ghost while an unnatural death would produce a malovent ghost. Other spirits were associated with places, natural objects, special crafts and activities. Various professions would make chants and offerings to their patron spirits, which they believed would control the outcome of their efforts. Micronesians believed that all sickness was caused by spirits. Shamans, mediums, diviners and sorcerers could be consulted to deal with the spirit world. Taboos would often be placed on food and sexual activities before a person would engage in an important pursuit. Violating this taboo would cause a spirit to send sickness or death to the offender or even the entire community. Mythology Micronesian mythology comprises the traditional belief systems of the Micronesians. There is no single belief system in the islands of Micronesia, as each island region has its own mythological beings. Traditional beliefs declined and changed with the arrival of Europeans, which occurred increasingly after the 1520s. In addition, the contact with European cultures led to changes in local myths and legends. Gallery See also Micronesia Micronesian Americans Polynesia Polynesians Pacific Islander Taiwanese Aborigines Austronesian peoples Melanesians References Indigenous peoples of Micronesia Ethnic groups in Oceania Austronesian peoples