Root of Monotheism in Early Cultures
As I promised, here I want to give evidence that monotheism is likely the first type of religion of the humankind.
According to Titcomb (1872), John Lubbock, in Origin of Civilization, assume underlying thinking about the emergence of religion are steps like this:
Atheismà Fetishism àTotemism àShamanism àAnthropomorphism or Idolatry àMonotheism.
These steps assume that human thinking evolves from the simplest level to the most complex level. This gradation assumes that if a culture is at one stage, it is impossible for the next stage to exist in that culture. For example, if a culture is still at the stage of shamanism, then there cannot be the concept of anthropomorphism or even monotheism.
But the reality strangely does not match that assumption. According to ethnographers who have researched human cultures at the end of the 19th century, it was found that in almost every culture studied, there was always the concept of a supreme being, who was above the sky, who created/managed everything. This concept even exists in remote isolated societies.
I'll take some samples to show you what the evidence are. Mircea Eliade, in his book Patterns in Comparative Religion, shows that this happens on various continents. They have the concept of one god, but they no longer worship it. This concept is called Deus Otiosus or "Idle God". A god that is truly supreme but also distant from human affairs.
First, cultures in Africa, which are believed to be the place where homo sapiens first existed (out of Africa). According to Mircea Eliade, All over Africa traces are found of a great sky god who has almost disappeared or is on the course of disappearing. For example, Bantu Tribe.
Bantu believes The Supreme God called Nzambi. Nzambi is all powerful, benevolent, just. But for that very reason, they don't adore him. They have no material representation of him as they have of other gods and spirits. They said about Nzambi: Nzambi is on high, man below. God is god. Man is man. Each is at home, each in his own house. This emerged The High God Paradox: A supreme God in heaven is recognized yet he is not worshipped.
Second, culture in Australia, which has existed since 50,000 years ago. Mircea Eliade said “An analysis of the various stages of Australian religion shows clearly that the sky divinity held the central place in most primitive religious life. Originally, Mungangana used to live on earth among men, only later did he withdraw to heaven… All over Australia one can recognize to some extent the myth of the gradual withdrawal of divine beings. So the aborigines of southeastern Australia, which were the most isolated and reflected the oldest and most archaic cultures, believed in a supreme being whom they gave various names. Typically they called him: Mingangana, Darmulum, Baiame, Bunjul.
Darmulum is an esoteric name for god only revealed to initiates of the tribe young men going through initiation. The women and children refer to the supreme god as Papang (father) or Biambam (lord). The All-Father of these Aborigines was the creator of the universe and of man. He was recognized as benevolent, he taught humans mysteries instituted civil laws, rewards the upright and defends morality and he dwells far up in the sky near the milky way.
Eliade says: “But nowhere does the belief in such a supreme being dominate religious life. The characteristic element in Australian religion is not belief in a heavenly being, a supreme creator, but in totemism. He is pushed to the periphery of religious life.. where he is almost ignored. Other sacred forces, closer to man, more accessible are worshipped.
Third, culture on Andaman Island. This island is inhabited by one of the most primitive tribes on the Asian continent. Anthropologist found almost forgotten belief in a supreme divinity among the aboriginal peoples of Andaman archipelago. The supreme being was called Puluga. He dwells in the sky. Puluga created the world and the first man, namely Tomo. As humanity grew and dispersed it grew more forgetful of its creator. So one day Puluga got angry and he sent a flood which covered the whole earth and destroyed mankind. Only four people escaped. Puluga reminded them once and for all his commandments and then he withdrew into heaven. Men have not seen him since. The Andaman islanders have no worship of this god. They have no prayer, they offer no sacrifice, they don't even give him thanksgiving. They simply express fear towards him and therefore they respect his commandments.
Fourth, culture in South America, namely Tierra del Fuego, where in the late 19th century it's still housed in isolated tribes of humans that live according to a primitive life style: The Selk'nam Peoples. The Selk'nam nomadic hunters of Tierra del Fuego had a supreme being named Temaukel. But from holy fear they never spoke his name. He is so on Haksam or dweller in the sky. He is eternal, omniscience, omnipotent, the indirect creator of the world before withwing beyond the stars, he created the mythical ancestors who completed creation of the world on his behalf. This god although supreme, is set apart from men. He has no images, no priests. He is the author of the moral law and master of all destinies but the people only pray to him in cases of illness.
From those samples of the most primitive cultures in the world, we could conclude that Belief in supreme sky being is generally to be found among the most archaic of primitive societies from Africa, Australia, Asia, to the South American. This belief is so consistent and dispersed that it cannot be attributed to coincidence and must reflect a common belief of early humanity.
Yet, nowhere in primitive religion do we find these supreme beings of the sky playing a leading role in religious life. Instead the supreme beings of the sky have been superseded by other religious conceptions.
So we find ouselves in a strange position, these peoples were monotheistic in belief but polytheistic in practice. Despite believing a supreme god that created all things and was all good. They did not worship him nor pray to him, instead they worshiped lesser divinities that were thought to be more accessible to man and more interested in his affairs.
Since this supreme being has almost no functional purpose in religious life, it must be an artifact, a survival of a more archaic belief where the supreme being has a more intense relationship with humanity and was the central figure of our religious life.
Based on the evidence in many remote and primitive cultures, it is correct to say that the belief in a high god represents one of the most archaic beliefs of humanity, one that can very well extend to a time before homo sapiens sapiens even left Africa.
At the quite great civilizations, the same case likely to be happened. Here I quoted article from Monotheism Preceded Polytheism, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1957:
(Start of quote):
“More important than the present beliefs of primitive peoples is evidence as to the ancient beliefs of the earliest known races. For such evidence we turn to archaeology. It is found that the farther back the history of polytheistic races is penetrated the fewer gods they have and the nearer to monotheism they become. Concerning India and Egypt A. Rendle Short says:
“The literature of India covers a period from about 2000 B.C. to modern times, and as it is traced backwards, by common consent, the stream becomes purer and tends towards monotheism the nearer we get to its source. A. A. MacDonell speaks of Rig-Vedic literature having a ‘monotheistic tinge.’ The Vedic gods, reckoned at 33, in later ages came to be counted popularly as 330,000,000. The whole process was one of degeneration from an early age downwards. . . .
“In Egypt, also, there is evidence that monotheism is earlier than polytheism. To this a number of scholars bear testimony: Brugsch, Blum-Ernst, Renouf. Renouf writes: ‘It is incontestably true that the sublimer portions of the Egyptian religion are not the comparatively late result of a process of elimination of the grosser. The sublimer portions are demonstrably ancient, and the last stage of Egyptian religion was by far the most corrupt.’”8
Historian Dr. Albert Hyma wrote: “According to many present authorities, the Sumerians were originally monotheistic in their belief, for the most ancient written records state clearly that they believed in only one God. This is a very important fact to note, because until very recently (1937) a large number of historians believed that mankind originally was polytheistic and that gradually as human beings became civilized, they formed a higher conception of the deity.” Also, “As stated previously, the Sumerians originally believed in only one God, but after 3500 B.C. [Hyma’s dating] they developed various forms of polytheism. They began to worship a large number of gods, from among whom they transmitted to the later Babylonians their chief god Marduk.”9
Stephen Langdon, professor of Assyriology at Oxford, wrote an article on “Monotheism as the Predecessor of Polytheism in Sumerian Religion.”10 The Sumerians are claimed to be the oldest people known to archaeology and their concepts can be read in their ancient writings. Some of the sites of their prehistoric cities have been excavated down to virgin soil. “In doing this with three hundred workmen at Kish,” says Langdon, “over a period of twelve years, I came to the conclusion that the vast Sumerian polytheistic system was preceded by monotheism. This conclusion was also made more clear to me by the excavations of the Germans at Erech and a city Shuruppak, between Nippur and Erech.”
Professor Langdon makes these statements in his article: “We know from inscriptions of about 3000 B.C. that the Sumerian pantheon already contained about 750 deities. . . . It is, however, certain that when we press back towards the beginning of religion on written documents the pantheon of 3000 B.C. dwindles down to four and then only two deities.” “The pantheon in full bloom contained more than 5000 deities great and small. The early history of this pantheon can be traced back through the inscriptions to the most primitive pictographs. A large body of early texts from about 3300 B.C. shows a pantheon of only 500 gods. In all theological treatises of the pantheon right back to 3300 [Langdon’s dating] the Babylonians and Sumerians always place the Sky-God at the beginning.” “I should add at once that in these primitive records there is no trace of magic or demons. Everything points to a primitive personal god with the name An, Heaven, Sky.” “It seems to be admitted that the nature myth gods of India, Greece and Italy and all Indo-Germanic religions started with a Sky-God.” (End of quote)
In almost all location of the world, there is always a language to point one God. Eventough some of them might be monolatry or henotheism. What should empashized in here is humankind never had many gods without Supreme God above them. And it could be inferred that the concept One Supreme Being God is preceded all the gods below Him, thus the earliest form should be monotheism.
These list I got from The book Muhammad in World Scriptures by Maulana Abdul Haque, 1954 (alphabetically):
1. The Abipones, a savage tribe of South America. Their chief deity is Aharaigichi or Keebet. “He gave us valour and Spaniars riches”.
2. The Abor, Abor Miri, a people of the northern frontier of Assam, India. They acknowledge and adore one supreme being, Jam, as the father o all, who will judge a man.
3. The Aborigines of South Australia have Atnatu as their God. It means one without anus, or without flow (meaning that he is not eating as creatures did). These Aborigines also declare that Atnatu is prior to Beginning. He appeared in the sky in a far remote past. He made Himself and gave Himself His name. he is very great, whose law tribes are obeying. He established the rule that tribes at fising ground should keep peace.His name also means “The Great”
4. Some Aborigines of South Australia say that they believe in Baiami. It means maker and father of all.
5. The Abyssinians, A Hamite race, adore Waq, pronounced Waquo. Originally, it means Heaven (or one who is in heaven). They say there is only one God who is omnipresent, or everywhere.
6. The Aegeans, people of the coast isles of the Aengean Sea, say that they believe in Rhea, which means the spirit of Nature.
7. The African Negroes. They say that they have been taught His name God. In their language godin is goddess and godji is a little tin god.
8. The Agaos, high Cushite of East Africa, say their chief god is Deban or Jar. It means sky or heaven.
9. The Ahoms, who belong to the Thai family, extending from the gulf of Siam to Assam, say that they believe in Phu-Ra-Ta ra. It means God, the Creator.
10. The Akra (an African tribe). They say that they believe in Jongama, meaning the highest God.
11. The Akwapin (Africans) believe in Jank Kupong. It denotes God.
12. The Ainus is an historic race sometimes inhabiting Siberia to Japan. Their God is Kamui. They were originally monotheists. Kamui means heaven and above. It has no plural number.
13. The Aiyanar of South India worship Hari Hara or Vishnushiva, A Darvidian god recognised by The Aryans.
14. The Alakh Namis of Northern India worship Alakh Nam, or the unseeable God.
15. The Albanians of The Balkan peninsula call their God Hyjni, which means celestial God.
16. The Aleuts (of Aleutian Islands, Alaska) worship Kuga. It means the spirit who has power to create.
17. The Algoquins, a well-known Algic race of North America, say that they believe in Kuloskap or Kuloskabe. It means the god, liar and deceiver, not because he deceives or injures man but because he leads his enemies astray. He is creator and friend of man, named animals and discovered that man was the lord of all.
18. The Andamans, though naked pigmy savages and totally uncivilised, say that Puluga, their chief deity, is the cause of all things, and sins are displeasing to Him. He taught His teachings to Tomo, the first teacher.
19. The Annamese of Burma call their God Doc-Cuoc, i.e one footed God. They praise his merits thus:”The one-footed spirit has only one eye and only one foot, but he is swift as lightening and sees all that happens in the world.
20. The Arabs call their highest god as Allah. He comprises all the attributes of perfection.
21. The Armenian chief deity is Aramazd. He is the father of the gods, the maker of the heavens and the earth.
22. The Assyrians (or Assyrio-Babylonian religion) adore Baal or Bel. It was considered the chief deity. It means owner or posessor. It was also worshipped by Israelites. Says the Bible: “As their father have forgotten my name for Baal”
23. The Babylonians serve the God Anu, i.e. the God of heaven. It is the Sumerian God.
24. The Bulgarians worship Bora. It means the chief object of worship.
25. The Bantu, an African Tribe, name their God Ambe or Nyambe. It means God.
26. The Basques, an ancient people of Spain, worshipped Goiko, Jaun-Goiko. Jaun means lord and goiko means height. So it’s master of the height.
27. The Buddhist of Burma worship Nat and they believe him to be a supernatural being.
28. The Budhhist of Nepal serve Adi Buddha. They are unitarian and theistic people. Adi Buddha menas Buddha from the beginning. They believe that He is exist by Himself and is called Svayambhu or Svayambhu Lok Nath, or self-existing protector of the world.
29. Some sects of the Buddhists worship Avlochit Eshvra. The Tibetans take it to mean the Lord Who looks both at the Buddha and at the creatures with compassion.
30. The Buraits, a branch of Eastern Mongols, called their God Tenqri (Tenga means heaven, one who lives in heaven).
31. Among the Burus, the highest God is called Opp-qeba-snulat, the lord creator of man. His messenger in very old time was Nabiata (The messengers of God who descend to earth are prevalent among all Indonesians.
32. The Canaanites say their God is El. In Hebrew, it means power.
33. The Caribs South America worship Tamu. It means grandfather or old deity of the sky.
34. The Chaldeans God is Illa or Ila, a very old Semitic name of God. It Means the highest.
35. The Chibchas, of Peru (South America), name their God Chimizapagua. It means the supreme creator. Their prophet’s name is Bachia, who taught all they know
36. The Chinese God is Shang-Te. They say about their God: It is not lawful to use the name Shang-Te lightly; therefore, we name Him by His residence, i.e heaven.
37. The Confucians (China), tough considered polytheists, believe Shen to be the chief God, living in heaven. He rules and controls all spectres and their actions; no spirit can harm men without authority from Him or His silent consent.
38. The Coptics of Africa, call their God Notte, used as singular and plural and feminine and masculine.
39. In the Cornish language of the Celts, inhabitants of Northern and Western Europe, God is called Dew, Deu, Dhew, or Thew.
40. The Cretans, the people of Crete in Mediterranean Sea, invoke Theos (heaven) as in Greek.
41. The Czeck, a language of Bohemia and Moravia. In this language the name of god is Buh.
42. In the Danish, the language of the Danes of Denmark, God is pronounced Gud.
43. The Denes, North Mexican tribes, are a most important aboriginal group. Their chief God is Yuttoere Soetit Sa. It means He who sits on the zenith. He is creator as well as ruler of the universe.
44. The Dinca (one of the tribe in Africa), they are deeply religious people and worship a high God whose name is Dengdit, literally meaning great rain, who is above or in the above. He sends rain. He created the world.
45. The chief deity of the Dutch of Holland is God, Godheid.
46. The Ediyans of Fzernando Po call their supreme being Rupi.
47. The ancient Eyptians called their God Nether, pronouced Neter. It denotes God or god. “You may say: Every moment He is in a state of Glory.
48. The Egyptian Hieroglyphic name of God is Khem (He whose name is unknown). The Pharaoh of Egypt was called Khem because his name was ineffable. Some say it means “the life-force of his subject”.
49. The Eiki (an aboriginal tribe) named their god Tongaloa; it means lord.
50. The Eskimos (it means eaters of raw flesh). The name of God in their language is Torna-garsuk. Torna means spirit and garsuk means great. The great spirit.
51. The Estonians. Their god is Jumal (lord)
52. The Fijians of Rakiraki say God’s name is Ndengei, pronounced Dengi. The terms means the creator of mankind. They say Ndengei is the true God.
53. The Finns (of Finland) call their God Jumala. Jumalainen denotes heavenly beauty.
54. In Gallic (the language of Scotland, Ireland, and France), the name of God is Dia.
55. The German name of God is Gott.
56. The Gold Coast (East Africa Negro tribes), In their language the name of God is Bobowissi. They think He appointed all local gods, has control over all elements and all things.
57. The Quiche Indians of Guatemala have a book named Popol Vuh. It means the book of bark (written on the bark of a tree). The creation of the world is narrated in it. God’s name is Hurakan. It means the one-legged god. He is the creator of all.
58. The Hausa (Northern Nigeria, Africa) say that Allah is the name of our God.
59. The Hawaiians serve Akua. It means chief god.
60. In Hebrew, Israelites call their God Yehovah or Yahweh.
61. The Hindus. The highest name according to the scriptures is Om. Om means protector or guardian.
62. The Icelanders say Godd.
63. The Incas of Peru call God Viracocha. It menas dweller in space. They say He is the supreme creator.
64. The Indonesian. Moluccas (tribes in Indonesia), believe in their God Upu-lero, the creator and chief god.
65. The Irish name for God is Dia. It means heaven or one who lives in heaven.
66. The Italian name for God is Dio (heaven)
67. The Japanese call God Kami. It means above, or heaven.
68. The Javanese (Indonesia). Some of them believe in their God Dangyang. It means supernatural power.
69. Langi Tongan, is a group of islands in the Western Pacific, lying to the north of New Zealand. Two groups of people inhabiting these islands. One group believes in Tonga-Loa. It means elder. The other group worships Ma ui, pronounced Mowy. It denotes father.
70. The Latin refers to the people and language of Latium. In this language the name of God is Deus. It means heaven.
71. The Lingayat, the people of South India. They believe in one god called Shiva, a creative and destructiive force.
72. The Lithunians, the people of Lithunia, a Teutonic race. The name of their god is Dievas.
73. People in Madagascar adore Zanahary. It means the creator of all things. They believe in one God.
74. In the Malay language, God is called Tuhan. It means master or lord.
75. The Mandaeans, a Parsi sect in Western Persia and Sourthern Babylonia. Their God is Alaha.
76. The Masais, of east Africa. They believe in a far-reaching divine power emanating from the sky, high above the earth. His name is En-Ai.
77. The Melanesians believe that their life and actions are carried on in the presence and influence of Mana, a power superior to that of living men.
78. The Mikers (a Tibeto-Burman race of Assam), name their God Arnan, divine being, mighty and terrible.
79. The Mongols name their God Khormosda.
80. The Mordvins (a Finno-Ugrain race) have two tribes, Erza and the Moksha. In The Erza the deity of the sky is called Vere-Pas, the god who is above.
81. The Nagas of Bundhelkhand (India) have a nameless god.
82. The Natchez (an American Indian tribe) have Coyocopchill, pronounced Koyokoshill. It means the great spirit.
83. The Norwegians call Gud.
84. The Nubas in Africa. Their high God is called Oliose. Some of their tribes believe in Kalo who created all things and in whose house (the sky) are the sun and the moon.
85. The Nyanjas of Nayasaland. Tehir God is Mulungu which means supreme being and is the only designation in use.
86. The Odjis, or Ahantees, antives of Ashanti, a vigorous and warlike race of Negroes, name their supreme deity by Sky, but they say : “He created all things and is giver of all good things. He is omnipresent and omniscient knowing even the thoughts of men.
87. An old German nation called their God Deit; deiyor is heaven.
88. Ossetic, a religion prevailing half-way along the main range of Caucasus. Their God’s name is Khutsau, the super divinity, God of Gods. He is regarded too high.
89. The Ostyaks, people of Siberia, name their God Ess. They say: “No one ever saw Him, for he lives above the sky.”
90. The Persian name of God is Khuda (means self-existent). It also means owner.
91. The Peruvians call their God Panchyachachak, the sun-god, or God is light (some say ruling and directing god).
92. The Phoenicians (an ancient nation of Babylonia). Their God was Allon, meaning worthy of worship.
93. The Poles. In the polish language God’s name is Bog. It means rich and wealthy or opulent.
94. The Polynesians. Many tribes there. The common name of God is Atua, meaning god or master. The other name is Etua, and Otua.
95. The Portugese say the name of God is Deus, which means heaven
96. The Rumanians serve God by the name of Dumezeu (heaven)
97. The Russian name for God is Boc. It means rich or opulent.
98. The Saminols (people of southern portion of the State of Florida, USA). They believe in a supreme being who lives above the clouds. He is the giver and taker of life. His name is E Shock-e-tom-e-see.
99. The Samoyed, a tribe of Russia (samoyed = self-eaters, or alone, in Russian). The highest God worshipped by them is called Numkim-poi. It means one who watches man from above.
100. The Santals of India (Bhagalpur Division) worship Thakur (lord) and regard him as a good god.
101. The Sacrabs of ancient Egypt. Their God was Khepera or Kheperi. It means self-begetting.
102. The Scythians (a nomad tribe of the north of Black Sea) rever Tabiti. They raised no statues of him.
103. The Semites (an early Arabian race). Their God is Ashtoreth or Ishtar. They believed that he gave date-palms, children, increase of camels, goats, and sheep.
104. The Shilluk, on the west bank of the Nile (Egypt). Their high god was Juok. He is fromless and invisible and like air (everywhere).
105. Shintoism is the royal religion of Japan. Teen Kami is the highest heavenly deity.
106. The Siberians (Russia) name God as Kutqi or Kutg (supreme god).
107. The Siau (Indonesia). Their highest god is Duata.
108. The Siouans (American Indian). They hold the idea of a supernatural power Wakonda or Wakan-Tanka. They address Him as the power that moves.
109. The Slavic language (used in Russians, Servians, and Bulgarians). The name of God in this language is Bog. It means rich.
110. Somaliland (Africa). People call God Abba, father or protector.
111. The Spanish name of God is Dios. It means heaven.
112. The Sumerian name of God is Illu, whom they serve.
113. The Swahilis (Africa). In their language the name of God is Mangu-Mola. Mungu is used to describe anything unaccountable or unexpected.
114. The Sweddish language, the name of God is Gud.
115. The Syrians or Armenians. Their God is Hadad. In Hebrew it means powerful and might. He was venerated as the greatest and the highest of gods. It also signifies the One.
116. A tribe of Taiti, Bushmen, South Africa, believe in Thora.
117. The Tibetan name for God is Spayanrasgzigs. It means god who looks on everyside, or the lord who looks both at the Buddha and at the creation with compassion.
118. The Todas of Nilgiri hills, India, believe in one who created them and their buffaloes.
119. The Tongans say the name of god is Alo-Alo.
120. The Tungus of Eastern China. Their chief god is Havak (living in the sun).
121. The Turks, before their conversion to Isam, believed in the highest god Yulgen. It means sky or one who lives in the seventh sky.
122. Another Turkish tribe invoke their god Tanri. It means glorious god.
123. The Tushes of Caucasus. Their god’s name is Khati. He is a celestial god.
124. The people of Uganda (africa) call God Kokasa. It means benign.
125. The Welsh people call god Duw.
126. The Yeniseians, Indians of the plains of North America, believe in Wakonda. And they say that all experiences of life are directed by Wakonda.
127. The Yerubas (tribe in between Dahomy and the lower Niger of Africa), eventough mostly pagan, yet they believe in their god Oloen, the lord of heaven.
128. The Yiddish language (used by Germans Jews). The name for God is Naet.
129. The Zoroastrians, natives of Iran. The highest name of God is Ahura Mazda. It means the light.
130. The Zulu, natives of Natal (Africa), one of a great Bantu tribes. In their language, the name of God is Unkullukulu. It means an old, old one.
131. There are some tribes who believer in a nameless god, like Daramulum, Pawee, Ti-ra-wa, Huchol, Talevalu, Bahnar, Bokglaih, Guina Wacinaci. All these names mean our father, father-spirit, grandfather.
References:
Archaic Monotheism: The High-God of Early Humanity - History of Religious Ideas, by neophyte one on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jdx1PHMLZc
Eliade, Mircea. Patterns in Comparative Religion, 1958.
Maulana Abdul Haque, Muhammad in World Scriptures. 1954.
Titcomb, J. H., Prehistoric Monotheism. Journal of the Transactions of
The Victoria Institute (Journal of 1872-73 -- pages 141 to 162) in https://creationism.org/victoria/Victori..._pg141.htm
The Victoria Institute (Journal of 1872-73 -- pages 141 to 162) in https://creationism.org/victoria/Victori..._pg141.htm
Monotheism Preceded Polytheism, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1957,
