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What did the Shang people believe in?

Part of HistoryShang DynastyYear 3Year 4

Watch: Gods of the Shang dynasty

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How important was religion to Shang people?

A Shang family praying together.
  • The Shang religion was very well organised.
  • The Shang people had lots of gods.
  • We know about dates, rituals, people and gods from writing on animal bones called oracle bones.
  • Tombs have been dug up. They show skeletons laid out facing the same direction.
A Shang family praying together.
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How important was Shangdi?

  • Shangdi was the leading god.
  • Shangdi controlled victory in battle, the harvest and the floods of the Yellow River.
  • Shangdi controlled many of the things that could affect people's lives and whether they would be happy or troubled.
Shang god ShangDi
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What was the afterlife?

People praying to the gods.

  • The Shang seem to have believed in an afterlife.

  • We think so because of burial tombs built for dead rulers.

  • As well as bodies, the tombs also contained carriages, religious relics and weapons.

  • A king's tomb could also include hundreds of people and horses.

People praying to the gods.
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Activities

Activity 1: Shangdi puzzle

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Activity 2: Shang gods quiz

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Play Horrible Histories: Raid and Trade KS2 History

Horrible Histories: Raid and Trade
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