What were the religious and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous peoples before and after the Spanish conquests?

What were the religious and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous peoples before and after the Spanish conquests?

Before the Spanish conquests, the indigenous peoples in the Americas had diverse religious and spiritual beliefs. They worshipped various gods and spirits, often connected to nature and the elements. Many indigenous cultures practiced polytheism and believed in the existence of a spiritual realm. They also had complex rituals, ceremonies, and practices to honor their deities and ancestors.

After the Spanish conquests, the religious and spiritual beliefs of the indigenous peoples underwent significant changes. The Spanish colonizers imposed their Catholic faith on the indigenous populations, often forcibly converting them to Christianity. Many indigenous practices and beliefs were suppressed or assimilated into Catholicism. However, some indigenous communities managed to preserve elements of their traditional beliefs by blending them with Catholic rituals and symbols, creating syncretic forms of worship. Overall, the Spanish conquests had a profound impact on the religious and spiritual landscape of the indigenous peoples in the Americas.