Some Ute recognized one especially powerful god represented by the sun,
and many lesser gods and spirits. Individuals attempted to win their
favor through magic. Myths and legends which featured these beings
were told at night around low camp fires, but only during the winter
according to Gifford. He also notes the naming of the sky as female,
the earth as male, while various constellations were also designated.
There was some development of the culture-hero idea in the person of
Coyote among the Uintah Ute. Various tales of how Coyote obtained fire
for man and helped him in other ways were related to Mason (1940).
Ceremonies or rituals were probably held in open places, most likely
in the form of dances. Medicine men or shamans were important figures.
They were learned in the myths, and practiced as healers, using charms
and herbs, some of which had true medicinal value. In addition the
shamans were skilled at setting bones. They may have gotten their power
from dreams or trances. During certain of what are termed life crises,
birth, puberty, marriage, death, there were taboo observances. Certain
foods were not eaten during pregnancy, while both Gifford and Stewart
mention a special hut where girls were secluded during the first menses.
The Ute considered certain deeds to be “right or wrong” but there was
no formal set of laws or authority to support moral judgment.