noun
- Plural of animism; beliefs or practices that attribute a living spirit or soul to natural objects, phenomena, or animals.
Usage: Typically used in anthropological, religious, or cultural contexts.; Often refers to indigenous or traditional belief systems.
Examples
- Many indigenous cultures practice various forms of animisms that honor the spirits of forests and rivers.
- Anthropologists study different animisms to understand how societies relate to the natural world.
- The animisms of Pacific Island peoples often include reverence for ancestral spirits.
- Traditional animisms view mountains, stones, and water as possessing consciousness.
- Scholars compare animisms across cultures to identify common spiritual themes.