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Animatism is a term coined by British anthropologist Robert Marett in the context of his teleological theory of the evolution of religion. It refers to "a belief in a generalized, impersonal power over which people have some measure of control".[1] Marett argues that certain cultures believe "people, animals, plants, and inanimate objects were endowed with certain powers, which were both impersonal and supernatural."[1] Mana, Marett states, is a concentrated form of animatistic force found within any of these objects that confer power, strength, and success.[2]
Animatism is a belief that inanimate, miraculous qualities exists in the natural world. It also talks about the belief that everything is infused with a life force giving each lifeless object personality or perception, but not a soul as in animism. It is a widespread belief among small-scale societies. In South Pacific regions, such as Melanesia and Polynesia, this belief comes in form of manaism, which is derived from mana[3]
Many indigenous cultures believe in animatism. They believe that worshipping inanimate objects will drive them away from the evil forces around.[4] These groups also believe that the inanimate objects they worship have mystical powers that are sent by God to help them on Earth.[4]
Animatism laid the foundation for animism by introducing the notion of supernatural forces residing within lifeless entities, thus paving the way for the development of more complex belief systems.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Ferraro, Gary. 2008. Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective, 7th ed. Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth. p. 340
- ^ Ferraro, Gary. 2008. Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective, 7th ed. Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth.
- ^ "Mana | Polynesian and Melanesian religion". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
- ^ a b Eswarappa, Kasi; Mathew, Gladis S. (2019), Leeming, David A. (ed.), "Animatism", Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 1–4, doi:10.1007/978-3-642-27771-9_200238-1, ISBN 978-3-642-27771-9, retrieved 2020-10-05
- ^ Talianova Eren, Mariia (2020). Folklor Kaynaklarına Göre Eski Türk ve Slav İnanç Sistemi (in Turkish). Gazi Kitapevi. p. 7. ISBN 9786257315203.
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