Durkheim‘ s study of Totemism
To explain the more complex religion of the world , Durkheim believes ,one must understand first the simple forms . Instead of animism and naturis ,Durkheim took the notion of totemism ‘ present in arunta tribe of Australian Aborigines as the key concept to explain the origins of religion, Durkheim maintained that totemism is the most simple forms of religion . Totemism”101 is linked with the social organisation of clan . The members of the clan believe themselves to have descended form some common ancestor – an anima ,a plant or even some non living object. The ,” common ancestors “ is the totemic object . Ordinary objects, whether pieces of wood ,polished stones ,plants or animals ,are transfigured into sacred objects one they bear the emblem of the totem .It is the totemic objects that gives the clan it’s name and identity Many taboos are attached to the totemic object. It cannot be killed or eaten,it must be treated with reverence .All things arranged in the clan are connected with and extension of the totemic object . The clan members may not be related by blood , but they have a common name, a common emblem Religion and social organisations are intimately connected in such simple societies .
The totem, according to Durkheim , represent the group in three important respects .First it represents the collective beliefs and social practices of the group to the individuals who make it up. Second ,it represents the collective to itself historically in its legends and mythys .Theird,it represents the collective to self in the form of a total social reality .104 The totem may thus be described as an institution which leads to three distinct kinds of religious activity first is a system of beliefs and rites which unifies and binds the social groups together around a sacred object second is a system of interdiction that sets out what individual obligations are toward this saecred object. Third, totemism is a system of rites for worshipping the sacred object
Durkheim maintains that is not actually the animal or plant itself that is worshipped or held sacred bud a nameless and impersonal force which exists throughout the world and is diffused amongst all the material objects of the world .The totems ,thus ,are the material representation of the immaterial force that is their base . And that immaterial force is none other than collective conscience of society .Durkheim stated ,
Totemism is the religion ,note of such and such animal or images ,but of an anonymous and impresonalforce , which is found in each of these beings , without however being identified with any one of these .none posses it entirely and all participate in it .so independent is it of the particular subject in which it is embodied that it precedes them just as it adequate to them . Individuals die, generations pass away and are replaced by others . But this force remains over present , living and true to itself It quickens today s generation just as it quickened yesterday s and as it will quicken tomorrow’s
Totemism, and more generally religion is derived from the collective morality and becomes itself an imprsonal force .It is not simply a series of mythical animals, plants , personalites ,spirits or god’s The essence of totemism. according to Durkheim ,is the worship of an impersonal . anonymous force ,at once immanent and trascendent. This anonymous ,diffuse force which is superior to men and very close to them is reality society itself.
In short, totemism is a symbolic representation of the collective conscience , and the collective conscience in , turn ,is derived from society. Therefore society ,society is the source of collective conscience, religion and ultimately the concept of God In real sense Durkheim argued that God and society are one and the same In fact it remains true even today If religion is nothing but the indirect worship of society modern people need only express their religious feelings directly toward sacred symbolization of society In this context the worship of society strengthens the values and moral beliefs which from the basis of social life In worshipping society men are in effect recognising the important of the social group and their dependence upon it In this way religion strengthens the unity of the group it promotes social solidarity.