Do people think they are the animal?

Some myths say so. Lévi-Strauss argued the practical point is grouping humans by a grid of species.

Is the national animal a totem?

It is an emblem. Classical totemism also organises descent and marriage.

Q1(d) · UPSC Civil Services Mains 2016 · Anthropology GS 1 · 10 marks · 1 min read

Totemism

Topic: Religion. Syllabus: 5. Religion: Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in tribal and peasant Societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and science distinguished; magico-religious functionaries (priest, shaman, medicine man, sorcerer and witch). Same official PYQ from year-wise 2016 and Religion.

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A totem is an emblem or kin-like species for a group. Durkheim read it as the clan worshipping itself. Lévi-Strauss read it as a system of differences. Taboo and exogamy often travel with the emblem. Indian tribal clans use totems as identity, not as science of animals.

Model answer

Copper italics in this answer — like this — are the key facts. Each one is unpacked in the Facts & figures rail.

Introduction

Totemism links a human group to a plant, animal, or object as emblem, kin, or ritual partner. It is a classic of religion and classification.

Body

Readings

Durkheim treated the Australian totem as the clan’s flag; worship is society made sacred.
Frazer gathered taboos and descent from the totem species.
Radcliffe-Brown stressed ritual attitudes to nature. Malinowski tied some totems to food and anxiety.
Lévi-Strauss in Totemism said species are good to think: totems classify groups, they are not a failed zoology.

Indian notes

Clan totems appear among many tribes. The point is social identity and marriage rule, not a zoo.

Flow diagram

flowchart TD
  TO[Totemism] --> D[Durkheim clan sacred]
  TO --> LS[Levi-Strauss classify]
  TO --> EX[Exogamy identity]

Conclusion

Totemism is a relation between group and natural emblem. Durkheim saw society; Lévi-Strauss saw a logic of difference. Both remain teaching tools.

Quick related

Students also ask

Critically examine different Anthropological approaches to Religion.
Next question on this syllabus topic (2016 · Q3(c)). View answer →
Do people think they are the animal?

Some myths say so. Lévi-Strauss argued the practical point is grouping humans by a grid of species.
Is the national animal a totem?

It is an emblem. Classical totemism also organises descent and marriage.