1. Religion In Society (Emile Durkheim)
Clans
Totems
Mana

2. Individuals joined by a bond of kinship because they bear the same name
These bonds come with the same kind of reciprocal obligations that come with consanguinality
There may be multiple clans within a tribe, but each one has its own unique name
clans.

3. totems. They are usually plants or animals
They are usually whole objects, but sometimes they are parts of one
They are usually not individuals (Wilbur the pig), but a species or variety of objects (the Pig)
The greater the emphasis on the totem, the greater its sacredness
totems.
Totems Defined

4. WHO CAN EAT, TOUCH, AND LOOK AT TOTEMIC BEINGS?
Do not eat the totemic being . . unless in a sacred ritual
Exception: Eating in small quantities
Exception: Eating the sacred parts
Exception: Eating an immature totem
Do not kill (or pick) the totemic being
Do not touch the totemic being
WHO CAN EAT, TOUCH, AND LOOK AT TOTEMIC BEINGS?
totems.
Managing Totemic Beings

5. totems. WHY DO WE NEED SYMBOLS?
Totems aren’t just names. You’re obligated to WEAR the totem as proof of your identity
Changes in your body, hairstyle, clothing, features, tattoos
Painted pictures of the totem on shields, weapons, banners, flags, doors, side of your house, etc.
WHY DO WE NEED SYMBOLS?
totems.
The Sign Of The Totem

6. totems. Take us back to the sacred!
Churingas, nurtunjas, waningas oh my!
“But Mommy, that doesn’t look like an elk!”
Be careful storing your churingas. Those things are “contagious”.
totems.
Totemic Images, Tools, and Places

7. totems. How I can be a MAN and a NITTANY LION and a WILDCAT!
Rules of sacredness.
Women, initiates, and that old guy at the bar
Brother Bear and Bre’r Rabbit
Maybe God IS one of us
totems.
BE THE TOTEM!

8. Society’s need for integration explains the overwhelming power of the society to control its members
Religion’s role is to LEGITIMATE society’s norms. It does that through our collective consciousness
The force of our connection to god (ok . . Society) and the commands it impresses on us is so strong, we feel like it is something external to us. It is.
mana.

9. mana. “God’s” Physical and Moral Superiority
“Collective Effervescence”
The Soul As “My Own Private Mana”
Negative Cults and Positive Cults
mana.