What is the Difference Between Animism and Totemism

The main difference between animism and totemism is that totemism is the belief in a mystical relationship between a group or an individual and a totem, while animism is the belief that all animate and inanimate things possess a distinct spiritual essence.

In animism, people believe that living things, inanimate objects and natural phenomena all have a living soul. In totemism, a group of people consider a physical being like a plant or animal as sacred and make it their emblem. Both totemism and animism are aspects of religion, especially seen in smaller communities like tribes and clans. However, we can also observe these features in some popular modern religions.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Animism 
     – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Totemism
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Difference Between Animism and Totemism
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Animism, Totemism, Totem

What is Animism

The word animism comes from Latin anima, which means breath, spirit, and life. Animism is the belief that all animate and inanimate things possess a distinct spiritual essence. It considers all things – animals, plants, rivers, mountains, sun, moon, weather, human tools, etc. – as alive. In addition to this, animists also believe that spirits can interact with and influence and human lives.  For example, they believe that malicious spirits can cause demonic possession and insanity. In some communities or tribes, there is a person called a shaman, who has access to the world of malevolent and benevolent spirits. Shamans are especially common among some peoples of North America and northern Asia.

Figure 1: A Mongol Shaman

Animism itself is not a religion as most people assume, but it is a feature of various ancient and modern religions. For example, the core concept of Shinto, the traditional religion of Japan, is the belief in spirits. According to historians, animism is foundational to human spirituality and dates back to the Paleolithic period.

What is Totemism

Totemism is the belief in a mystical relationship between a group or an individual and a totem. A totem is a physical being such as an animal or plant that considered sacred by a group of people. Sometimes, even inanimate objects like sun, moon, and thunder may act as totems. The totem serves as an emblem of a group of people, i.e., clan or tribe. The people of the tribe or clan believe that the totem has some special power or that the totem represents some kind of special force or power. Moreover, they believe the totem to be their protector, guardian or deity. The totem also represents the tribe or the clan. For example, a primitive tribe of people may consider the lion as their totem. They may call themselves ‘people of the lion’ and may consider lion as a sacred animal.

Figure 2: A Totem Pole

Furthermore, all clan members who share a totem are considered to be close kin.  Totem also becomes the focus of a clan’s myths and rituals. When the totem is an animal, it is taboo to kill it and consume its flesh, except in some ritualistic traditions.

The term totem actually originates from ototeman, which is a word from the North American Ojibwa language. However, totemism is not only limited to Native Americans; this phenomenon can be seen in many cultures worldwide. This is a very basic form of religion.

Difference Between Animism and Totemism

Definition

Totemism is the belief in a mystical relationship between a group or an individual and a totem, but animism is the belief that all animate and inanimate things possess a distinct spiritual essence.

Nature

Totemism is a basic form of religion, but animism is considered to be a feature of some regions.

Totem

In totemism, a tribe or clan believe that the totem has supernatural powers, but they may not consider other physical things to have spirits. However, in animism, all animate and inanimate things are considered to possess a distinct spiritual essence.

Conclusion

The main difference between animism and totemism is that totemism is the belief in a mystical relationship between a group or an individual and a totem, while animism is the belief that all animate and inanimate things possess a distinct spiritual essence.

Reference:

1. Perkins, McKenzie. “What Is Animism?” Learn Religions, Learn Religions, 5 Apr. 2019, Available here.
2. “Totemism.” Anthropology, Available here.
3. “Totem.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Jan. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Totem Pole Native Indian Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix.com
2. “Mongol Shaman just before rituals” By Munkhbayar.B – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia