10 Strange Facts About Sleep and Dreams From Around the Globe

8. The Influence of Sleep on Indigenous Dream Practices

For many Indigenous cultures, dreams hold significant spiritual and cultural importance. Among Native American tribes, for example, dreams are seen as a means of communication with the spirit world, offering guidance and insight. The practice of dreamcatchers, woven hoops adorned with feathers and beads, is rooted in the belief that they can protect sleepers from negative dreams while allowing positive ones to pass through.

Dreams are often used in ritualistic practices, such as vision quests, where individuals seek spiritual revelations through fasting and isolation. These practices highlight the belief in dreams as a source of wisdom and empowerment, illustrating the deep connection between sleep and spirituality in Indigenous cultures. The emphasis on dreams in Indigenous practices underscores the diverse ways in which cultures engage with the dream world, offering insights into the spiritual dimensions of sleep and its role in cultural identity and heritage.