Totemizm research

Historical data show us that totemizm, as a phenomenon that has existed for over 2 centuries with little. Accordingly, to talk about this course, as a separate religious cult still early.

The first scientist who began to pursue the issue totem worship, was Lennan. It first announced the existence of such beliefs scientific world. It was followed by other scientists, who continued to study totemizma: Jevons, Smith.

The first demand theory on the etymology totemizma was next. Our ancient ancestors called representatives of their social groups are not names, as we habitually, and the names of animals, the phenomena of nature, etc. Over time, our ancestors began to think that their ancestor, who say the name was «quartz», and so was earlier - that is, reborn in person.

Then came the view that totemizm is only a projection descent way of life for people living and the nonliving world around. In light of this theory, when people lived in the tribal community, and hence the living and nonliving also lived around the world, and hence to him, and you need to treat with due reverence.

The time has progressed, the number of theories that could explain the etymology of totemizma, grew, but the essence has not changed - no one theory was never able to give a clear answer to the question - «from where he went totemizm». Nowadays most demand following the theory arose.
1) ancestral worship - if a person dies, he could resurface in effect in the new guise. It should therefore be treated respectfully to the wildlife around.
2) belief in the possibility of the world «Savior of the world» from conception to flower, wind, animals, etc.

Remember that in the modern theological literature is divided regarding totemizma. How much would you have not opened the domestic and foreign works on theology and religion, the same definitions, sometimes completely exclude each other, you'll find there.

Totemizm

In a totemizma is the belief in the sanctity of an object of worship (or totem). A certain group of people attributes to the divine properties of a subject, animal body parts, etc. In theological literature exists following the interpretation of the religious lines - the worship or praise some non-living facility or event, the belief in the power and strength, confident that all members of this group of people share common roots with the totems, and it is his immediate relatives by blood.

In Europe, the definition of «totem» first introduced Professor Longo. Historical data suggests that not he was the creator of the term. During his expeditions in the traditional African tribes, the professor has witnessed how locals worshiped «not living facilities», like the gods. However, local residents called the object of his worship - «totem». Hence, the title went - totemizm.

The most common types of totems include the following: natural phenomena (wind, rain, thunder); lights Celestial (moon, sun, stars), representatives of the animal world (cow, bull, fox); geological formation (rock, manganese, quartz); anatomical (stomach, arm, head).

There are certain rules regarding totemizma:

1) to the sacred site of worship can only touch the supreme priest, as a person with a direct link with the world of spirits;
2) No one dares to challenge the sanctity of totem poles, because it is tantamount to blasphemy;
3), only strict adherence to the cult of worship guaranteed a happy life in the community;
4) If a totem animal advocates, all representatives of the group should treat this animal and not kill these animals.
5) The second crucial reason why the need to read the totem - the belief that, after the death of a representative of the social group, in the case of righteousness, reborn in the image of a sacred totem.