The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002.
totemism
(TOH-tuh-miz-uhm) The belief that people are descended from animals, plants, and other natural objects. Symbols of these natural ancestors, known as totems, are often associated with clans (groups of families tracing common descent). By representing desirable individual qualities (such as the swiftness of a deer) and helping to explain the mythical origin of the clan, totems reinforce clan identity and solidarity.
