Totemism
Totemism is a belief system in which a group of people, often a clan or tribe, identifies itself with a particular natural object or animal known as a totem. The totem is believed to be a spiritual ancestor, protector, or symbol of the group’s identity and origin.
Among tribal communities, totems can be animals like tigers, birds, or plants, and are regarded with great reverence. Members of the clan refrain from harming their totem animal, and rituals are performed to honor it. Totemism helps establish social rules, regulates marriage customs (e.g., exogamy), and fosters unity within the group.
It also reinforces the community’s deep connection to nature and the belief that all living things are interconnected. Totemism is both spiritual and social, shaping identity, kinship structures, and environmental ethics within tribal life.