Totemism as an early belief of ancient people. What is Totemism? The meaning and interpretation of the word totemizm, the definition of the term
identification of the tribe with a certain kind of holy animal, totem. This type of religious beliefs contains a statement about the kinship ties of a certain community with an animal-totem.
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totemism
TOTEMISM- one of the early forms of religion, which is based on the belief in the existence of a special kind of mystical connection between a group of people (genus, tribe) and a certain type of animal or plant (less often, natural phenomena and inanimate objects). The name of this form of religious belief comes from the word "ototem", which is in the North American language. Ojibwe Indians means "his kind". During the study of T., it was found that its occurrence is closely related to economic activity primitive man- Gathering and hunting. Animals and plants, which gave people the opportunity to exist, became objects of worship. At the first stages of the development of Taurus, such worship did not exclude, but even assumed the use of totem animals and plants for food. Therefore, sometimes their attitude to the totem primitive people expressed with the words: "This is our meat." However, this kind of connection between people and totems belongs to the distant past, and only ancient legends and stable language turns that have come down to researchers from time immemorial testify to its existence. Later, elements of social, primarily consanguineous, relations were introduced into T. Members of the tribal group (blood relatives) began to believe that a certain totem animal or plant was the ancestor and patron of their group, and that their distant ancestors, who combined the signs of people and a totem, had supernatural abilities. This led, on the one hand, to the strengthening of the cult of ancestors, on the other hand, to a change in attitude towards the totem itself. For example, prohibitions arose on the use of a totem for food, except for those cases when its eating was of a ritual nature and reminded of ancient norms and rules. Subsequently, within the framework of T., a whole system of prohibitions arose, which were called taboo. Great Definition
Incomplete definition ↓
Totemism is an idea of a supernatural connection, kinship between a group of people and a certain kind of animals, plants, and less often objects. The term "totem", "ototem" is taken from the language of the Ojibwe tribe of North American Indians, in which it means "his kind". The totemism of the Australian tribes is the most developed and best studied. Australia is therefore called the "classic" country of totemism. (The indigenous population of Australia - the Australians at the time of colonization (the end of the 18th century) were at an early stage of the primitive communal system, therefore their religious beliefs give an idea of the oldest forms of religion.) Australian clans and phratries (groups of related clans) bore the names of totem animals and plants; for example, the Arabana tribe consisted of 12 genera, which had names: wedge-tailed eagle, raven, dingo, caterpillar, frog, snake, etc.
The totem was considered the ancestor of the clan, its ancestor, therefore a number of prohibitions were associated with it: it was forbidden to kill and eat the totem (with the exception of ritual ceremonies), it was forbidden to harm it. The killing of a totem or causing any damage to it by an outsider was perceived by the Australians as a personal insult. Numerous myths tell about totemic ancestors - fantastic creatures, half-humans, half-animals, about their life, wanderings, exploits. Some totemic rites were a staging of such myths. Myths and rituals were considered sacred, they were known only to men who had passed the rites of initiation.
The Australians believed in their ability to influence the totem, they had special “intichium” ceremonies (the name is taken from the language of the Aranda tribe), the purpose of which was to magically promote the reproduction of totem animals and plants. The main part of the ceremonies were dances; their participants sought their appearance- headdresses, masks, special coloring of bodies, - as well as movements to resemble totems. The final part of the rite was the ritual eating of the totem, which was considered a way of familiarizing with it.
Totemism is one of the forms of religion of the early tribal society, it is closely connected with such types of economy as hunting and gathering. Animals and plants, which gave people the opportunity to exist, become for them the object of religious worship. Totemism also reflected the features of primitive social relations based on the principle of consanguinity. Not knowing other connections in society, except for blood relations, people transferred them to external nature. The relationship of members of the genus with the animal and flora their area was perceived by them as a consanguinity.
Totemic views are attested not only among the Australians, but also among many other tribes: the Indians of North and South America, in Africa, Melanesia, although here they no longer appear in such a “classical” form as among the Australians, since these tribes have passed the stage of early tribal society . The Indians had totemic names of clans and phratries, myths of the origin of clans from totems, and totemic prohibitions. Religious dances were performed in honor of the totem: wolf dance, bear dance, crow dance, etc. The totem was considered a patron, so his images were applied to weapons, household items, housing. The Tlingit of the northwest coast of North America erected a totem pole in front of each house, covered with images of the totem ancestor.
On the basis of totemism, later, at a higher stage of development, a cult of animals arose, which existed among many peoples of the world. AT ancient egypt there was a cult of sacred animals - a bull, a jackal, a goat, a crocodile, etc., considered the incarnations of the gods. Temples were dedicated to them, sacrifices were made. Many Egyptian deities were depicted as animals: the god of the dead Anubis - in the form of a jackal, the goddess of love and fertility Isis - in the form of a woman with a cow's head. AT ancient india cows, tigers, monkeys and other animals were revered. Special festivities were held in honor of the cow. Monkeys met in large numbers on the streets of Indian cities, no one dared to touch.
Totemism is a primitive belief system that arose at the dawn of human civilization. Today, the totem is a symbol of the past: evidence of a wild fantasy uneducated people who knew nothing about the world around them. But in the old days, such illusions did not seem like something fantastic and unreal. Then the totem was direct evidence that the ancient spirits and deities tirelessly watch their two-legged relatives.
The meaning of the word totem
For the first time the concept of "totemism" was introduced by the English scientist John Long in 1791. As a naturalist explorer, he often traveled to different countries, collecting old stories and myths bit by bit. Ultimately, he came to the conclusion that the religion of many primitive peoples is in many ways similar to each other.
Long decided to systematize his knowledge, combining them in a new theory about the ancient religion of totemism. The very word "totem" he borrowed from the North American Indian people of the Ojibwa. They called them the sacred coat of arms of the clan, which depicted the ancestor spirit.
What are totems for?
Totemism is a religion that exalts some object or being instead of the gods. Most often, the totem is an animal or a tree. Although there are many cases when people endowed wind, fire, rock, river, flower and so on with sacred properties. At the same time, it should be understood that not a single object or animal is chosen as a totem, but their entire species as a whole. That is, if a tribe honors a bear, then its respect extends to all clubfoot in the district.
If we understand the essence of totemism, then this religion serves as a kind of link between nature and man. Thus, the majority of primitive communities believed that their family descended from an ancient ancestor: an animal or a plant. Therefore, the totem is a symbol of their birthright, explaining their own origin.
For example, once in Russia there lived a tribe of Lutichs. They believed that their distant ancestors were ferocious wolves who once turned into people. Their whole culture and customs were built around this belief: on holidays they put on wolf skins and danced around the fire, as if returning to that distant past, when they themselves were wild animals.
The main features of totemism
A tribe can choose any animal or plant as a totem. The main thing is that their decision should be supported by a certain story - a tale that can explain their relationship. Most often, the choice fell on noble beasts, whose skills or strength differed from the rest. This is a primitive desire to show oneself in a better light: others will treat the descendants of a bear with more respect than the children of an earthworm.
In addition, geographic and social factors often influenced the choice of a patron spirit. For example, those tribes that survived by hunting were more likely to classify themselves as predatory animals, while gatherers, on the contrary, sought protection from peaceful and hardworking creatures. Simply put, the totem is a kind of reflection of the soul of the people, its essence and self-affirmation. But there were rare exceptions, when the tribe chose a weak or ugly patron as an idol.
Relation to the totem
The totem is a sacred symbol. Therefore, in many cultures it was deified, which led to the emergence of certain rituals and customs. The most common was the belief that totem animals or plants were forbidden: they should not be killed, maimed, and sometimes even talked about in a bad manner.
As social relations developed, ideas about idols also changed. If at first they served only as a reminder of the distant past, then in later times they were endowed with mystical power. Now the patron spirit could protect from diseases, drought, enemies, fires, and so on. At times this led to a war between the tribes, since some believed that all their troubles were due to the fact that a strange totem was luring all heavenly luck to itself.
Forgotten Faith in the Modern World
For many, this worldview seems childish and primitive. After all, how can a wolf or a bear be an ancestor of a person? Or how a simple beast can affect the weather? Such questions are quite logical for modern people.
However, even in an era of worldwide progress and technological boom, there are those who still remain true to the ancient system of values. For example, totemism is quite common for most South African tribes and Australian Aborigines. Even with satellite television and cellular communications, they still believe in their past relationship with wild animals and plants. Therefore, it is too early to talk about totemism as a faith that has sunk into oblivion.
Totemism is a widespread in the past, but still existing religious and social system. It is based on the worship of the totem. The term "totem" was first mentioned in the late eighteenth century by Long, and was borrowed from the Ojibwa tribe, where the word totem meant the emblem of the clan. Also, a sacred animal, to which the clan rendered a special cult, was called a totem.
Today, the concept of "totem" means a class of objects that is given special worship by a social group, phratry, clan, tribe, and sometimes even one individual. In most cases, those who worship the totem call themselves by its name and consider themselves bound by family ties. Perhaps there is no such object in the world that could not act as a totem, but most often people worshiped animals.
Features of totemism lie in the fact that people perceive objects of nature as full-fledged and animated representatives of the world. Many objects, at the same time, were endowed with supernatural qualities. Tribes that adhered to the system of totemism had a worldview built on emotional, cultural, mystical and ideological relationships with nature. The following characteristics of totemism are distinguished:
The totem serves as a guardian human soul, patron and helper. The power of the totem affects the mind, inspires fear, awe and respect.
In totemism there is a historically established system of names and symbols.
Fans of totemism compare their personality and the totem, and also symbolically become like it.
Animals and plants that are part of the hierarchy of totemism are protected and revered. These objects are untouchable, and their death at the hands of man is the most serious sin.
Active use of totemic rituals.
Rows of cults and numerous magical rites are included in the list of totemic teachings. The mixture of magical and religious components somewhat complicates the understanding of totemism as an integral system. Group totemism is considered the most common form of this system. This species is characterized by the following features:
The existence of a mystical connection between a social group and a plant or animal.
Close connection of the name social group and totem.
The symbolism of the totem, its emblem, as well as taboos were related both to the whole group and to subdivisions.
It was believed that the totemic group occurred as a result of the marriage of a person and an animal, more rarely simply forced submission.
The first origin of totemism arose in shamanic circles, where the animalistic guardian god originated from an individual totem. Totemism was inherited from ancestors to descendants, establishing a taboo on a certain type of animal or plant. Based on this, it was forbidden to eat the meat of a totem animal, as this was equated with eating one's own flesh, or the flesh of one's father. Healers and shamans associated themselves with their own totems. If the totem was insulted or physically harmed, the shaman also suffered bodily or mental illness.
The totem is also designed to protect its keeper during sleep from various dangers. There is a belief that if danger creeps up to a sleeping person, then the spirit of the totem inhabits the body of the owner, warning of danger and awakening.
Despite the fact that totemism arose in the era of the ancient tribal system, totemistic beliefs are very stable. Taking on a different role and significance, they continue to be preserved to this day in Australia, North America, India, Africa and even Central Asia.
Totemistic beliefs, or totemism - the belief that certain types of animals, plants, some material objects, as well as natural phenomena are the ancestors, ancestors, patrons of specific tribal groups.
Totemism (“from-otem” in the language of North American Indians means “his family”) is a system of religious ideas about the relationship between a group of people (usually a family) and a totem - a mythical ancestor, most often some animal or plant. The totem was treated as a kind and caring ancestor and patron who protects people - their relatives - from hunger, cold, disease and death. Initially, only a real animal, bird, insect or plant was considered a totem. Then their more or less realistic image was enough, and later the totem could be designated by any symbol, word or sound.
We can meet some manifestations of totemism among the peoples of Melanesia: tribal groups bear totemic names, in places totemic prohibitions are preserved, belief in the connection of totems with the ancestors of the clan, etc. Among the tribes of the islands of Samoa, among the peoples of America - there are totems in coats of arms, family signs on clothes, on housing. In the form of a minor religion, as a modification, the belief in werewolf among the peoples of America has been preserved.
The choice of totems is often associated with the physical and geographical nature of the area. So, for example, among many tribes of Australia, the kangaroo, emu, opossum, wild dog, lizard, raven, which are common here, act as totems, bat. At the same time, in the desert or semi-desert regions of the continent, where natural conditions and animal world are scarce, various insects and plants become totems, which in this capacity are not found anywhere else.
Totemism is the religion of an early tribal society, where blood ties are the most important between people. A person sees similar connections in the surrounding world, he endows all nature with kindred relations. Animals and plants, which form the basis of the life of a hunter and gatherer, become the subject of his religious feelings.
In the course of historical development, most peoples have lost their totemic ideas. However, in some places totemism has shown extraordinary vitality, for example among the Australian Aborigines. In the rituals of the Australian tribes, sacred objects - churingi - play a huge role. These are stone or wooden plates with drawings applied to them, denoting one or another totem.
Belief in the absolute connection of churinga with the fate of a person is so strong that in the event of its destruction, a person often fell ill and sometimes died. This, in turn, served as a new confirmation of the effect of invisible spells.
Traces and remnants of totemism are found to varying degrees in modern religions and have been preserved as elements in the ethnic cultures of many peoples.
Animism.
Gradually developed new form religions are the cult of nature. Man's superstitious fear of formidable and mighty nature evoked a desire to somehow propitiate her. Man in his imagination peopled all nature with spirits. This form of religious beliefs is called animism (from the Latin words - "animus" - spirit). According to animistic beliefs, the whole world is inhabited by spirits. the world, and each person, animal or plant has its own soul, an incorporeal double.
Such a belief, in one form or another, is inherent in any religion, from the most primitive to the most advanced. True, the degree of expression of animistic beliefs is not the same in different forms of religion, at different stages of its development.
The term "animism" covers very diverse categories of religious ideas, diverse not only in appearance, in ideological content, but also, most importantly, in origin. Animistic images are personifications, but human fantasy can personify anything.
The words "spirit" or "soul" in the view of primitive people were associated with the animation of all nature. Religious ideas about the spirits of the earth, the sun, thunder, lightning, and vegetation gradually developed. Later, on this basis, the myth of dying and resurrecting gods arose.
Magical beliefs, or magic - the belief in the ability, with the help of certain techniques, conspiracies, rituals, to influence objects and natural phenomena, the course of social life, and later the world of supernatural forces. In the cave of Montespan, discovered in 1923 in the Pyrenees, a clay figure of a bear without a head was found. The figure is riddled with round holes. These are probably dart marks. Around him, on the clay floor, there are prints of bare human feet. A similar find was made in the Tyuc d'Auduber cave. The ancients believed that the bewitched animal itself would allow itself to be killed.