Totemism
noun
1.
the practice of having totems.
2.
the system of tribal division according to totems.
noun
1.
the belief in kinship of groups or individuals having a common totem
2.
the rituals, taboos, and other practices associated with such a belief
totemism [(toh-tuh-miz-uhm)]
The belief that people are descended from animals, plants, and other natural objects. Symbols of these natural ancestors, known as totems, are often associated with clans (groups of families tracing common descent). By representing desirable individual qualities (such as the swiftness of a deer) and helping to explain the mythical origin of the clan, totems reinforce clan identity and solidarity.
Read Also:
- Totemist
noun 1. a member of a clan, family, or group distinguished by a totem.
- Totemite
noun 1. totemist.
- Totem-pole
noun 1. a pole or post carved and painted with totemic figures, erected by Indians of the northwest coast of North America, especially in front of their houses. 2. a hierarchical system: the bureaucratic totem pole. noun 1. a pole carved or painted with totemic figures set up by certain North American Indians, esp those […]
- Totems
noun 1. a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group. 2. an object or natural phenomenon with which a family or sib considers itself closely related. 3. a representation of such an object serving as the distinctive mark of the clan […]
- Toter
verb (used with object), toted, toting. 1. to carry, as on one’s back or in one’s arms: to tote a bundle. 2. to carry on one’s person: to tote a gun. 3. to transport or convey, as on a vehicle or boat. noun 4. the act or course of toting. 5. something that is toted. […]