totemism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “totemism” mean?
A system of belief or social organization based on totems, where a totem is a natural object, plant, or animal believed by a particular social group to have spiritual significance and to be symbolically connected to them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of belief or social organization based on totems, where a totem is a natural object, plant, or animal believed by a particular social group to have spiritual significance and to be symbolically connected to them.
In anthropology and sociology, totemism can refer broadly to the practice of identifying with a totem symbol, which often serves to define clan or family identity, dictate social rules (like exogamy), and provide a symbolic framework for understanding the relationship between humans and nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling, pronunciation, or usage differences. The concept is discussed identically in both academic traditions.
Connotations
Carries the same anthropological and sometimes colonial-era academic connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “totemism” in a Sentence
[noun] of totemismtotemism among [people/group]totemism based on [animal/object]totemism in [region/culture]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “totemism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The clan practices totemism, venerating the bear.
American English
- The tribe practiced totemism, with each family linked to a different creature.
adjective
British English
- The totemistic beliefs of the community were central to their identity.
American English
- They observed totemistic rituals passed down for generations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in anthropology, religious studies, and sociology when discussing kinship, symbolic systems, and indigenous religions.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in documentaries or high-level popular non-fiction.
Technical
Precise term with a specific definition relating to the symbolic association between a social group and a natural entity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “totemism”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “totemism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “totemism”
- Using 'totemism' to refer to a personal spirit animal (that is 'totemic belief' or 'personal totem', not the sociological system of totemism).
- Confusing it with animism (which attributes spirit to all things, not a specific clan link).
- Misspelling as 'totenism' (confusion with 'totem' and 'token').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While related, 'spirit animal' is a personal concept, often from modern spirituality. Totemism is a specific socio-religious system where a *social group* (like a clan) shares a symbolic connection to a totem, which governs kinship, taboos, and identity.
It is considered a dimension of religion, often a key element within broader animistic or indigenous religious systems. Scholars debate whether it constitutes a religion in itself or is a recurring feature of many religions.
Yes, many indigenous communities around the world continue to maintain totemistic beliefs and practices as a vital part of their cultural and spiritual heritage, though often alongside other influences.
A totem has deep spiritual and ancestral significance for a group, often involving taboos and sacred respect. A mascot is a symbolic character chosen for a sports team or organisation, primarily for identity and luck, without inherent spiritual meaning.
A system of belief or social organization based on totems, where a totem is a natural object, plant, or animal believed by a particular social group to have spiritual significance and to be symbolically connected to them.
Totemism is usually academic / technical in register.
Totemism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtəʊ.tə.mɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtoʊ.t̬ə.mɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TOtemism is The Organizational sysTEM for a tribe, linking them to an animal or plant.'
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SOCIAL GROUP IS SYMBOLICALLY FUSED WITH A NATURAL ENTITY.
Practice
Quiz
Which field is the term 'totemism' most closely associated with?