Totemism

In the last thread, the SFnal thread, the Gilgamesh character is an anthropologist who specialises in totemism, and who gets drawn, by one of his students — the Enkidu figure — into a subculture of biotech fursuits and bodymods where people have animal alter egos … not unlike modern-day furries but a bit more hip, more posthuman. ❋ Unknown (2006)

I apply the word totemism to the widely diffused savage institution which I have defined. ❋ Andrew Lang (1878)

One of the most widely found modes of showing respect to animals is known as totemism (see TOTEM AND TOTEMISM), but except in decadent forms there is but little positive worship; in Central Australia, however, the rites of the Wollunqua totem group are directed towards placating this mythical animal, and cannot be termed anything but religious ceremonies. ❋ Various (N/A)

They have one recorded instance of totemism, which is of some interest. ❋ Robert Vane Russell (1894)

This phenomenon, which is widely known as totemism, appears to be suggested by the prominence given to the wild boar on Celtic coins and ensigns, and by the place assigned on some inscriptions and bas-reliefs to the figure of a horned snake as well as by the effigies of other animals that have been discovered. ❋ Edward Anwyl (1890)

Thus it is difficult to prove that the heraldry is the origin of totemism, which is just as likely, or more likely, to have been the origin of savage heraldic crests and quarterings. ❋ Andrew Lang (1878)

I think there are definite reasons for believing that once the cow became identified with the Mother-Goddess as the parent of mankind the first step was taken in the development of the curious system of ideas now known as "totemism". ❋ G. Elliot Smith (N/A)

Thus the term 'totemism' may be used loosely to denote any combination of customs connected with the idea of an alliance between man and other things, and the alliance itself may exist in various degrees of intimacy. ❋ Crawford Howell Toy (1877)

'This idea of destiny, or, if I may be allowed the phrase, "totemism", however strange, is not confined to the savages; many instances might be adduced from history to prove how strong these impressions have been on minds above the vulgar and unlearned. ❋ Unknown (2009)

I bought a microscope and peered into tissues, pollen cells, diatoms, ditch ooze; and pitied my clever and very talented grandmother who died ignorant of the family secrets revealed by 'totemism', ignorant of 'parthenogenesis' which proved so conclusively the truth of her own firm conviction, that the faults she deplored in her son's children were all inherited directly from her daughter-in-law, whom she detested; ignorant of the fact that the sun which she regarded as a dazzling yellow fire was by bolometric measures shown to be in reality of a restful, and refreshing blue color. ❋ Unknown (1872)

In accordance with what is said above, the term 'totemism' may be used to mean particularly a simple alliance between men and nonhuman things, and then more generally to mean such an alliance combined in whatever way, with one or more of the particular customs described in preceding paragraphs. [ ❋ Crawford Howell Toy (1877)

Of course we still do totemism, where we identify ourselves with various animals — look at the names given to many sports teams. ❋ Unknown (2009)

So I'm thinking that the modern-day Gilgamesh character is an academic, an anthropologist, sociologist or something, some kinda intellectual studying totemism in primitive and modern societies, ya know? ❋ Hal Duncan (2006)

There's actually a book on totemism in the socsci section of Caledonia books, which I noted with interest while clinging for dear life on one of those ladders for big bookcases and peering at the anthropology section. ❋ Hal Duncan (2006)

A primal horde of sons slew their father and formed a society of equals, but the need for leadership resulted in the rise of totemism and religion, in which gods substituted for the murdered father. ❋ Bernard M. Bass (2008)

Aren't furries basically identifying themselves with animals in a manner not too unlike the totemism of nomadic tribes. ❋ Hal Duncan (2006)

Hell, there's a lot of furries (from the brief (and sometimes scary) interweb research I've been doing) who seem much closer to proper totemism than any of the New Age wind-bags wanking off about dream-catchers, crystals and what-not. ❋ Hal Duncan (2006)

[Totemism] is a system of belief in which man is believed to have [kinship] with a [totem] or a mystical relationship is said to exist between a group or an individual and a totem. A totem is an object, such as an animal or plant that serves as the emblem or symbol of a kinship group or a person. The term [totemism] has been used to characterize a cluster of traits in the religion and in the social organization of many primitive peoples. Totemism is manifested in various forms and types in different contexts, especially among populations with a [mixed economy] (farming and hunting) and among hunting communities (especially in Australia); it is also found among tribes who breed cattle. Totemism can in no way be viewed as a general stage in man's cultural development; but totemism has certainly had an effect on the psychological behaviour of ethnic groups, on the manner of their [socialization], and on the formation of the human personality. ❋ ♫ Highway To Hell ♫ (2010)

[Dom Cobb] spun his top-like [totem] after he [awoke] from a deep shared dream. ❋ Pacc Man (2016)

Insane person 1: AYOOO AINT FOOLISH SO DANG [TOTEMOUS] Insane Person(also [mcyt] fan)[YEAHHHHH] HES SO SICK YOOOOOOOO ❋ SpaceXDragon (2021)

Insane person 1: AYOOO AINT FOOLISH SO DANG [TOTEMOUS] Insane Person(also [mcyt] fan)[YEAHHHHH] HES SO SICK YOOOOOOOO ❋ SpaceXDragon (2021)

Insane person 1: AYOOO AINT FOOLISH SO DANG [TOTEMOUS] Insane Person(also [mcyt] fan)[YEAHHHHH] HES SO SICK YOOOOOOOO ❋ SpaceXDragon (2021)

Insane person 1: AYOOO AINT FOOLISH SO DANG [TOTEMOUS] Insane Person(also [mcyt] fan)[YEAHHHHH] HES SO SICK YOOOOOOOO ❋ SpaceXDragon (2021)

loll [umps] waves you know the ones [dirty ratchet] at the [clubb] totem /watch?v=yRx4--Sfds4&t=4m31s ❋ Notmyrealhandle (2018)

[Erez], [Evan], Mike and Sam enagaged in the totem position until [the late] hours of the night. ❋ I'm Totally Wasted On Heroin (2005)

I heard you [slept] with [Johnny], that makes us [totem sisters] ❋ Chocolate Surprise (2010)

[Moron] 1: [Steven] commited [murder]. Moron 2: Why? Moron 1: He got Totem Lurantis’d. ❋ THE SUPAHSTAR WARRIAH (2018)