This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Animism is a religious or philosophical belief that all objects, phenomena of nature, and even some abstract entities (such as places, elements, objects, or phenomena) are endowed with spirits or life force. According to this belief, everything around us, including plants, animals, stones, rivers, mountains, and sometimes even celestial objects (such as the sun or moon), has its own soul or spirit.
Key features of animism:
- Presence of spirits: Animism suggests that nature is not just a collection of physical objects, but a living world endowed with invisible forces or spirits. These spirits can be good or evil, capable of protecting, teaching, or causing harm.
- Magic and interaction with spirits: In animism, there is often a belief in the possibility of interacting with spirits through rituals, prayers, sacrifices, or even magical practices. People may try to influence the spirits to ensure well-being or protection for themselves, their families, or communities.
- Totemism: This is one of the branches of animism, where certain animals or plants are considered sacred or possess special spiritual power that they pass on to their bearers or tribes.
- Anthropomorphism: In animism, spirits or natural objects often have human traits or behaviors — they can speak, have emotions, or act similarly to humans.
Animism in different cultures:
- Indigenous peoples: Animism is the foundation of many traditional religions of indigenous peoples around the world, such as the indigenous peoples of North America, Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
- Shamanism: Closely related to animism, shamanism is the belief that certain individuals, shamans, have the ability to connect with the spirits of nature to gain knowledge or heal diseases.
- Animism in Japan: In Japanese religion, Shinto also has elements of animism, particularly the belief in the spirits of kami (Japanese: 神), which can be present in nature, for example, in rivers, mountains, trees, and other objects.
Animism is also present in popular culture, especially in anime, films, or literature, where natural objects or fantastical creatures are often endowed with spirits or "life."
As a philosophy, animism helps explain how people interact with the natural world. It emphasizes the importance of respecting nature and feeling a deep connection to the surrounding world. Animism, thus, can encourage a more mindful approach to the environment and its preservation.In a general sense, animism emphasizes the idea that the entire world is an interconnected network of spirits, forces, and energies that humans can and should interact with.
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