In speculating on the origins of religion, one common approach is to see the development from impersonal, non-human spirits(as found in animism) to personified, human-like deities. In this development, the role of the ancestors—particularly ancestor veneration or ancestor worship—may have been important in the evolution of gods with human-like characteristics. In many cultures, both ancient and current, the ancestors are viewed as having an active interest in the daily lives of the people and thus continue to be consulted and propitiated. There are periodic rituals or ceremonies other than funerary rites which are focused on the ancestors, both specific ancestors and generic ancestors.
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