Posted: August 14th, 2022

Systems of Animalism and Totemism

Systems of Animalism and Totemism

Animalism and totemism are two ancient forms of religious belief that reflect the relationship between humans and nature. They involve the worship of animals or natural objects as sacred symbols or ancestors. This topic is important and thought-provoking because it reveals how people in different cultures and times have perceived and interacted with the natural world. In this blog post, I will explore the main features and concepts of animalism and totemism as religious systems, and how they have influenced modern religions.

What is Animalism?

Animalism is a form of religious belief that attributes a soul or spirit to animals. It is based on the idea that animals have feelings, intelligence, and moral qualities, and that they can communicate with humans or influence their fate. Animalism often involves the veneration of specific animals as totems, guardians, or ancestors. For example, some Native American tribes regard the bear as a powerful protector and healer, while some African cultures revere the lion as a symbol of strength and courage.

Animalism can also include the practice of animal sacrifice, divination, or shamanism. Animal sacrifice is the offering of an animal’s blood or flesh to a deity or spirit, usually to seek favor, forgiveness, or guidance. Divination is the use of animals or their parts (such as bones, feathers, or entrails) to predict the future or reveal hidden knowledge. Shamanism is the ability of certain individuals (called shamans) to enter a trance state and communicate with animal spirits, often by taking on their form or characteristics.

What is Totemism?

Totemism is a form of religious belief that identifies a group of people with a particular natural object, such as an animal, plant, or rock. It is based on the idea that there is a special connection or kinship between the group and the object, which may be seen as an ancestor, protector, or emblem. Totemism often involves the use of symbols, rituals, or taboos related to the totem object. For example, some Australian Aboriginal groups regard the kangaroo as their totem, and use its skin for clothing, its bones for tools, and its meat for food, but also respect its life and avoid killing it unnecessarily.

Totemism can also include the practice of clan organization, social differentiation, or cosmology. Clan organization is the division of a society into smaller groups based on their totem affiliation, which may determine their rights, duties, and alliances. Social differentiation is the distinction of roles or statuses within a group according to their totem association, which may affect their access to resources, power, or prestige. Cosmology is the understanding of the origin and structure of the universe according to the totem worldview, which may explain the creation, order, and meaning of life.

How Have Animalism and Totemism Influenced Modern Religions?

Animalism and totemism have influenced modern religions in various ways. Some examples are:

– Christianity: Some Christian traditions have incorporated elements of animalism and totemism into their beliefs and practices. For instance, some saints are associated with specific animals (such as St. Francis of Assisi with birds), some churches are decorated with animal motifs (such as gargoyles), and some rituals involve animal symbolism (such as baptism with water or communion with bread and wine).
– Islam: Some Islamic traditions have also adopted aspects of animalism and totemism into their faith and culture. For example, some Muslims regard certain animals as sacred or forbidden (such as camels or pigs), some mosques are adorned with geometric patterns inspired by nature (such as arabesque), and some festivals celebrate animal themes (such as Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice).
– Hinduism: Some Hindu traditions have also embraced features of animalism and totemism into their religion and society. For instance, some gods are depicted with animal attributes (such as Ganesha with an elephant head), some temples are dedicated to animal deities (such as Hanuman or the monkey god), and some practices involve animal reverence (such as ahimsa or non-violence).

Conclusion

Animalism and totemism are ancient forms of religious belief that reflect the relationship between humans and nature. They involve the worship of animals or natural objects as sacred symbols or ancestors. They have various concepts and practices related to soul, spirit, sacrifice, divination, shamanism, kinship, protection, emblem, symbol, ritual, taboo, clan organization,
social differentiation
and cosmology. They have influenced modern religions in various ways,
such as Christianity,
Islam,
and Hinduism.
Animalism
and
totemism
are
important
and
thought-provoking
topics
that
reveal
how
people
in
different
cultures
and
times
have
perceived
and
interacted
with
the
natural
world.

References

– Bird-David, Nurit. 1999. “Animism Revisited: Personhood, Environment, and Relational Epistemology.” Current Anthropology 40 (S1): S67-S91.
– Frazer, James George. 1910. Totemism and Exogamy: A Treatise on Certain Early Forms of Superstition and Society. London: Macmillan.
– Hallowell, Alfred Irving. 1960. “Ojibwa Ontology, Behavior, and World View.” In Culture in History: Essays in Honor of Paul Radin, edited by Stanley Diamond, 19-52. New York: Columbia University Press.

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